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USDTV Subscribers Gouged For Linux USB Keys

Posted by kdawson on from the flaunting-the-GPL dept.

Former USDTV Subscriber writes "A few weeks ago, Salt Lake City-based USDTV discontinued their service. USDTV used the Hisense DB2010 as subscriber boxes, with Linux based firmware. USDTV should have released the source and binaries as required by the GPL, in order for customers to create a USB key to convert their DB2010s to FTA HDTV boxes. Instead, they chose to hand the keys to former USDTV subcontractors. Cable Communications is coming to subscribers' houses and updating the boxes, but not leaving a USB key. ProServ is selling USB keys. But 'Due to copyright laws you are only allowed to purchase one of these keys if you have proof of being a current or previous subscriber to USDTV.' USDTV customers are being charged $30 for a service and/or files that should be freely available to anyone who has a DB2010 in their possession. There is a thread on the AVS Forum detailing the whole debacle."

4 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Darfur? by Breakfast+Pants · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Forget Darfur--the GPL has been violated and people can't record TV!

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    WHO ATE MY BREAKFAST PANTS?
    1. Re:Darfur? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      The media and the government are lulling the people with propagandist bogeymen such as foreign genocide, terrorism, and global warming to make us forget about the real problems at home caused by their ineptitude! Problems like not being allowed to copy and distribute whatever the hell you want.

  2. Who cares? by Grishnakh · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Honestly, why would anyone pay $100 a month or so just to watch TV, when there's nothing on but crap? All the TV I need comes in on rabbit airs (in full HDTV glory, thank you--PBS is the shining star for excellent HD programming). For all other video entertainment, Netflix is a mere $15/month.

  3. No one not in Darfur gives a shit about it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I'm tired of the people who pretend to care. They don't. What do they want the US to do, exterminate those persecuting those indiginous to Darfur, raze the mud huts, and corregated roofed shacks of the Sudanese capital? No? Well too bad, that's what'd it take. No everyone can live together, particularly where there aren't enough resources, especially water. Sometimes someone's got to go, and if it's not worth killing people for in the eyes of a disinterested 3rd party, well the interested parties are going to do what seems most convienient.

    Oh noes Bradgelina is getting teh sads, poor people are dying. Their plan: Make a speech, adopt a kid, wait for magic. Well, that's what Bush pretty much uses as his business plan to. No magic is coming, assholes. So unless you've got something, anything, worthwhile to add, shut the fuck up.