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Behind the Satellite Piracy Lawsuit

Posted by michael on from the spy-v.-spy dept.

McSpew writes "This article at MSNBC is the most in-depth coverage I've seen from a mainstream news source about the $1 Billion Canal Plus lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch-owned NDS. For those not familiar with the suit, French direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) company Canal Plus alleges that NDS, a company owned by News Corp (which also owns BSkyB--Canal Plus's biggest competitor in Europe) hacked the smart cards used by Canal Plus and published the hacks on the Internet. Included in the article are conspiracy theories, a suspicious death and a look at the shady characters working for both sides." We had a previous story about this.

5 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. 'Encouraged Piracy' by Thomas+M+Hughes · · Score: 5, Insightful

    From the article:

    There's also a long-standing notion that piracy is good for the business. In an odd twist, tacitly allowing people to watch pirated TV is a way to gain market share, since many pirates eventually give in and convert to paying customers.

    I hadn't expected to hear that on MSNBC. In fact, I'm led to wonder if the 'higher ups' even know of this policy. The management of media companies seem to be more prone to saying things like "Ad skipping is theft!" "Napster costs us billions each year." etc, etc. One really has to wonder why big media is really cracking down on piracy, if they have people in their ranks who have been encouraging pirates all along.

    1. Re:'Encouraged Piracy' by jcoy42 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The management of media companies seem to be more prone to saying things like "Ad skipping is theft!" "Napster costs us billions each year." etc, etc.

      It's to guilt people into paying, and it works. That's why pirates eventually become paying customers.

      In general, the only pirates they are after are the ones profiting from it- they could care less about the little guys. Giving away free samples has always been a way to broaden the market share long term.
      --
      Never trust an atom. They make up everything.
    2. Re:'Encouraged Piracy' by liquidsin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Probably because making such a stink about it brings it to the attention of your average joe. I'm sure a lot of people didn't know about napster until it was all over the media for being evil. Wave it under their noses, show them it's there, then when they get hooked on the free stuff, take it away and they'll pay for your product to get it. Kind of like how a drug dealer works...

      --
      do not read this line twice.
  2. Piracy and Trespassing by swordboy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hey - it is my property. I didn't give you permission to blanket it with satellite TV. I'll use your service unless you keep you damned dirty broadcasts out of my land!

    --

    Life is the leading cause of death in America.
  3. Re:Yeah, right..... by JoshMKiV · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No, but it can help bring them down, reduce revenues, and allow you to be in a better position. However, I think the number of people that would steal TV would not have a huge impact.

    I think the biggest impact would be the compromised system requiring replacement, which can be big $$$.