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iCraveTV To Relaunch

Posted by emmett on from the just-ask-for-roger-at-video-bargainville dept.

BurpingWeezer writes "The CBC has a story about iCraveTV relaunching their service this fall. Apparently they will be broadcasting some channels for free but they will focus on specialty channels like MuchMusic. The specialty channels are to be broadcast on a subscription basis for around C$9 a month. iCraveTV is currently developing security software to restrict users of the web site to those of Canadian origin. Under Canadian copyright laws television broadcasts may be re-broadcast without permission if there is no modification to the broadcast in any form." I'm interested to see how they'll make sure I'm Canadian through software.

6 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. IP Verification by Aphelion · · Score: 3

    They could check each IP against the
    American Registry for Internet Numbers at whois.arin.net, which happens to list the owner of nearly every IP in the Americas.

    Anyone not matching, or not listed, could be denied.

    Of course, there is always a way to work around this. Then again, all encryption exports are curbed in the same manner, and it's acceptable to the government. Add a click-through agreement, and you're set for legality.

  2. Ask Vinnie Technology by dexter_goodfeather · · Score: 3

    ICraveTV's service provider is ACEnetx.com
    If you checkout www.acenetx.com, there is the technology that ICraveTV will use to restrict content to Canadians.
    This technology trademarked: "Ask Vinnie"
    ACEnetx has pattented "Ask Vinnie" technology that allows companies such as ICraveTV to restrict their content to specific geographical regions.

  3. Skill Testing Questions by NotQuiteSonic · · Score: 5

    1. Canada has a President? True/False
    2. We drive dog sleds?
    3. You can say the RRRR in Roll up the rim to win.

    --
    News for UW students
  4. Re:How is it possible.... by brunes69 · · Score: 5

    1%??? Not quite.. Up here in Canada we had DSL in the mainstream market WAY before the US.. I've had my connecttion for 3 years now, and thats not even in a big city (100,000 people here). Canada is one of the Global leaders in telecomminications, didnt you know that?

  5. Determining your Canadian by jayhawk88 · · Score: 5

    I'm interested to see how they'll make sure I'm Canadian through software.

    I recently tried signing up for this service, despite the fact I'm American. I can tell you they're very serious about making sure only Canadians sign up. Here's how the signup process went.

    Service: So, your Canadian, eh?
    Me: Uh, yeah, I am........eh!
    Service: OK, so we just have to verify that, you know. Question #1: What is the worst movie of all time?
    Me: Strange Brew.
    Service: Correct. Question #2: What's up with those Americans?
    Me: I don't know, they need to relax a little I suppose.
    Service: Right. OK, just one last question. Question #3: Who's the greates hockey player of all time?
    Me: Um, that would probably have to be Wayne Gretsky.....eh?
    Service:.....That all you got to say on the subject?
    Me: Uh, yeah, I guess.
    Service: You poser! A real Canadian would have argued the point for 2 hours solid!

    Busted. So as you can see, their methods are totally full-proof. No American can talk about hockey for 2 hours straight.

    :-)

  6. Verifying Canadian-ness by bridges · · Score: 3
    It'll clearly be a challenge-response sort of security scheme: For example:

    "ICraveTV Canadian-ness Challenge: Complete the following sentence: "Beauty, ____!"

    And of course, Hockey questions could be their bread-and-butter....