Grand Theft Auto V has made its way to the internet before its official release, and Microsoft has begun banning users who have posted in-game images and footage using the leaked copies. Rockstar has requested takedowns of content related to the game posted by users of the illegitimate version.

Microsoft has obtained the gamertag of at least one user from his screenshots and has banned the console from Xbox Live permanently, as it did previously with "Halo 4" pirates. The pirate would now need to purchase a new console in order to access Xbox Live. 

Grand Theft Auto V officially launches for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on Sept. 17.

The Rockstar policy on posting copyrighted material from its games is very clear:

Pre-Release Footage: No pre-release leaked footage of any kind: Any posting of in-game footage from leaked copies of the game prior to its official release date will be taken down, regardless of how the game was obtained. This includes 'early unboxing' videos.

In GTA V related news, new reports suggest that hackers and modders have found evidence that Rockstar is working on a PS4 and PC port of GTA V via the game's leaked code. The evidence itself is contained in a supposed genuine XML file that's since been posted on PasteBin for all to see, however the document's legitimacy is called into question as it's fairly easy to alter files on the site. Rockstar will almost assuredly release the game onto PC a sometime after the title's console release, however a next-gen launch may be an iffy proposition–unless these files are genuine.