Sony's latest PS3 firmware update plugs some "hardware security issues", which just means they've fixed whatever leaks jailbreakers are using to get around the last update that removed the Other OS feature. They can't really disguise the intent, because they've already released a statement saying that if they catch you logging in with an un-updated PS3 through a proxy or something, you'll be banned.
Do these companies really lose that much money over a license fee? Or does it go beyond that, like quality control (a la Nintendo's Seal of Quality, and the various companies like Tengen that used custom cartridges to get around the security chip).

I think sony's just enjoying the "up yours" tactic that it's been using on pirates. If it doesn't bother the legitimate customers, then I have nothing against this.

If these updates help prevent pirates from playing games *and* taking advantage of online features and patching, etc., then I fully support the blocking of these exploits. Pirates deserve nothing less.
Besides, like most manufacturers, Sony actually sell their consoles at a loss. Licensing fees help to offset that loss a little.

Wasn't the apple jailbreak thing to stop people taking their iphones to other carriers who rip customers off slightly less?

That, and to allow the user to install apps not signed by Apple. Developers sell their apps through Cydia / Rock, but this only works with a jailbroken phone (which is completely legal).
More info at www.rockyourphone.com (does not contain any illegal material).

You make it sound like they're going down some path they haven't before. The PSP has seen plenty of firmware upgrades primarily around the closing of vulnerabilities.

Well, I'm not familiar with the PSP, opting instead for the DS Lite. By the time the DSi had come out, I was already enjoying my Dingoo A320.

If by "legitimate customers" you mean "people who only intend to use their PS3 in whatever way Sony wants them to at this particular point in time", then it won't bother them. However, if by "legitimate customers" you mean "people who want to get as much value as possible out of the console that cost them an arm and a leg, by engaging in perfectly legal, non-copyright-infringing activities that unfortunately are not facilitated and controlled by the Sony Corporation", then yes, it might bother them.
You can probably tell I'm not a fan of closed platforms ;-) And for the record, I don't own a PS3.

This is ridiculous, yes but I really don't give a damn. Unlike iPhone jailbreaks where there are genuinely legitimate purposes to do so, console jailbreaking is almost always for piracy.

I hate all the stupid updates. All I want a 'GAMES CONSOLE' not a 'MEDIA CENTRE'. The only feature I'd keep of the PS3 apart from playing games would be using the PSN for PS1 classics.

I don't have my own TV, so I can't play it much (that and I don't watch TV anyway, except anime).

Well... I for one, am done buying ps3's. I have one old one I use and tinker with Linux on, another one i had bought because of updates and the like (I bought it my 1st one thinking sweet i can tinker with Linux on it there and then they took that option away....)
Well... Sony Sony sony.... It takes me 12+ hours to update my firmware and if this is anything like psp's with updates every couple days because of it being cracked to hell.......... i just wont go online with my new one either... oh well......
No more money for joo!

It completely fucks over people in academia who were using the PS3 for cheap processing power, who are legitimate customers.

in this case it reactivated homebrew which they annoying disabled when they removed the "we're never going to remove it" other os mode