37 lines
1.9 KiB
Plaintext
37 lines
1.9 KiB
Plaintext
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Cable Scrambling News by The Mad Phone-man
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CABLE COMPANYS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT OF SERVICE
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A 1986 Showtime/The MOvie Channel study that showed the cable industry itself
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responsible for half the theft of service (1.4 Billion/year), in the country
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may have understated the extent of the problem, according to panelists at a
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recent NCTA convention session on cable piracy.
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Jerimy Stern, ex director of the OCST (Office od Cable TV Theft) which is a
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joint venture funded by the NCTA and the MPAA (Motion picture Assc. of America)
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stated that many cases of unauthorized reception occur through error or
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omission on the part of the cable companys and not through any willful,
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malicious or criminal intent on the part of the viewer.
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Loosely managed "Hot Disconects" programs are the primary problem. The "Hot"
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cable is left in the home to simplify reconnection when the new resident moves
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in.
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One panelist described a "tap verification" audit he did of 18,000 homes, in
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which they found 332 basic and 1w=2 unauthorized hookups. After identifying
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a pirate, a "sales specialist" was sent out to sign him up. They found 23%
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were willing, making the program highly profitable.
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Cable companys are now following this lead and are setting up their own
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"tap audit" programs.
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The OCST has also become active in the prosecuting of dealers of pirate
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decoders (currently a highly profitable business) using third party resourses
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of the FBI and Customs Service. Customs is trying to cut the flow of off shore
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decoders (Tiawan) being imported. Civil suits are being used sparingly
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because of their high cost, the possibility of receiving nothing in return
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and the possibility of countersuits for false prosecution. When a suit is won
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the PR people are quick to publicize it thru the media.
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Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253
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