It appears certain retailers in France made the silly decision to sell copies of Halo 3: ODST early. It has become a realization that some of the pirated copies that have been spreading like wildfire are eminating from France. Microsoft plans on delivering the 'ban-hammer' to all those whom didn't have a legit copy of Halo 3:ODST on Xbox Live. The stores in France who made the mistake of selling the game early will be punished by Microsoft as swiftly as those who will lose their Xbox Live accounts for modding and ripping copies of Halo 3:ODST.

Link to full story:

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/unpleasant-surprise-awaits-halo-odst-pirates-says-ms/1351115

Are they going to ban those who get the pirated version after the release date?

They are banning people based on location. If people are playing it in a location that MS knows for sure there are no copies available. The ban hammer is dropping.

The buyers aren't going to get into trouble but the stores will.

They don't screw around when it comes to Halo. Seems to happen every time too.

I think it will slow down after launch, but they will ban the bejesus out of anyone who modded their 360's.