alaskan@telusplanet.net wrote: >Not sure if this is alarmist, or even the correct venue to address >this issue, but I would think it worthy of mention to everyone who >reads this list. It is alarmist because you didn't take into account permission that is given automatically by the provider. >http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/states/200304_sdmca_eff_analysis.php <...> >This provision would make you a criminal for simply connecting a TV, >PC, TiVo or VCR (all of which can "receive" communication services) to >the cable TV line in your living room without your cable company's >permission. The cable company assumes you're going to connect the above equipment to your cable service. Also, considering that most companies provide converter boxes to use with the service, providing that equipment is the express permission to connect devices to the service. The self-install guide that came with my cable box even has a specific set of steps for connecting a VCR/PVR inline with the TV. On the other hand, if they decide to limit what you connect, it's going to create massive headaches and overhead for them. There isn't any unique identifier mechanism in home AV equipment, so they would have to do regular physical checks of customer installations. Truck rolls are expensive, and in this case, they would have to eat the cost. >It could also make you a criminal for connecting a Wi-Fi >wireless gateway (which can "retransmit" Internet traffic) to your DSL >or cable modem line without the permission of your ISP. " This is the same issue as above. Wireless is a non-issue, since AUPs already contain rules that prohibit the connection of open access points.
