Comment owning chip the same as any other possession crime (Score 1) 237
Shamino made the comments:
If you default on a loan enough, you'll get a letter from the collection agency along with a subpoena, you can either pay up or go to court. In a legal sense, this isn't much different.
It's tremendously different. A collection agency has proof that you defaulted on a loan.
DirecTV has no proof that any of these people have committed any crime. No matter what they'd like to claim in press releases, purchase of a SmartCard programmer is not proof that you are stealing DirecTV broadcasts.
They are threatening expensive legal action without any proof of wrondoing, and they are demanding money to make the threats go away. Sounds like a clear cut case of racketeering and extortion.
BUT....All these arguements are missing the point that we have a history in this country of saying if you own it (i.e. possess 'it') than that is proof enough of use/illegality. so for these coproprations (small governments in and of themselves given the rights of governments many times by our wonderfull governmental officeholders) to sue and attempt to intimidate you into compliance and control isnot anything new or anything to be surprised at.
If you default on a loan enough, you'll get a letter from the collection agency along with a subpoena, you can either pay up or go to court. In a legal sense, this isn't much different.
It's tremendously different. A collection agency has proof that you defaulted on a loan.
DirecTV has no proof that any of these people have committed any crime. No matter what they'd like to claim in press releases, purchase of a SmartCard programmer is not proof that you are stealing DirecTV broadcasts.
They are threatening expensive legal action without any proof of wrondoing, and they are demanding money to make the threats go away. Sounds like a clear cut case of racketeering and extortion.
BUT....All these arguements are missing the point that we have a history in this country of saying if you own it (i.e. possess 'it') than that is proof enough of use/illegality. so for these coproprations (small governments in and of themselves given the rights of governments many times by our wonderfull governmental officeholders) to sue and attempt to intimidate you into compliance and control isnot anything new or anything to be surprised at.
