A federal grand jury indicted 17 people who allegedly sold or distributed free software and hardware to allow people to steal satellite cable services. The MPAA claims they loose millions per year to individuals who use hardware and bypass the subscription systems.
This is a test case and will test copyright laws. For any of you that use any of software or hardware to steal service watch your backs because if they are successful in prosecuting these individuals then consumers will be next. [News.com]
Our policy here has always been to inform. We do not condone illegal activity.
And…? Why shouldn’t people who steal (or create the means for others to steal) services be prosecuted? I would be the first to admit that most of these cable/satellite services are over-priced, but stealing said services will not bring about price correction. Boycotting said services might, but we all know that isn’t going to happen because the consuming public is lazy. It isn’t food, it isn’t shelter, and most of the people who steal these services aren’t doing it to keep informed (which might somewhat sway my opinion if keping informed was really their intent). They do it to get free entertainment. But theft is still theft and if you steal the service be prepared to pay if you get caught.