SONY has admitted that hackers have breached security on its PlayStation Portable (PSP), enabling users to download games from pirate websites and run them on the new device.

The technique involves downloading the pirate games to a Memory Stick and then copying the games to the device.

Sony says that it has mended the breach with a downloadable patch, but already the hackers may be one step ahead of the electronics giant.

An editor of gaming site PS2NFO.com, who identified himself as "CJ", told Reuters that hackers are close to releasing new technology that would allow any copied game, and not just the current, limited set, to be played on the PSP.

Currently " Mercury", Ubisoft's "Lumines", "Coded Arms" by Konami, Taito's "Puzzle Bobble" and Sony's own "Intelligent License", can be played using the new game duplicating trick.

But new game titles will require PSP users to run an updated programme before being allowed to play the games.

Sony Computer Entertainment America warned that hacking or the operation of "homebrew" software programmes may damage the PSP, and void the warranty.

The PSP is available in Europe from September.

(c)2005. Associated Newspapers Ltd.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.