CNET are reporting that Microsoft have banned some one million plus gamertags from their Xbox Live service, purportedly for modding their console and playing illegally pirated games, in clearly a sting operation designed to thwart piracy (and probably drum up some more console sales given the timing).

The news of the mass bannings comes on the tail-end of the release (and pre-release) of Modern Warfare 2 which had ISOs hitting pirate sites before the game was due to officially launch, prompting many to believe Activision or Infinity Ward likely nudged Microsoft to throw down their almighty wrath.

"Commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of the Xbox Live community remains a top priority," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live. We can assure you that if an Xbox Live member follows the Xbox Live terms of use, purchased a retail copy of Modern Warfare 2 and played the game on an unmodified Xbox 360, no action will be taken."

It's a pretty hardcore figure, and it's not known if the bans are permanent or if those unlucky enough to have been caught will be allowed to come back to the service at another point.