BC Supreme Court orders advance costs in grey market satellite case

[gretzky]

When it comes to 'grey market' programming, there is the catch 22 of the potential lost revenues for the distributor. As long as they are being paid for the service, why should they care. If anything, Bell should be going after the US companies for being in breach of their own laws.

potential lost of revenue for Bell ????
there are none niet zero
as american providers don't bring the same signals, not same channels (and programming) as canadian providers

if there would be a potential lost of revenue if canadian providers would bring the US channels ''as they are'' (not canadianised version)
it's clear to me that canadian who goes grey market doesn't like the canadian channels it's well known that the canadian system is broken and either not helped by the broadcasting act and CRTC

solutions to grey market ?
you could bring us channels to canadian providers '' as they are'' so canadians can sub

or give a licence to dish network and direct tv to operate in canada (and ask to contribute to the canadian funds for tv)

[hugh]

Posts removed.

From our rules

No piracy discussions - discussion of how to pirate satellite or cable signals or discussion of how to engage in illegal activities such as software and music piracy and other intellectual property violations are not allowed. Encouraging others to engage in piracy or posting links to sites that engage in such activity or promote such activity is also prohibited.

As most of you know, I love this type of discussion because I think the laws which prevent us from subbing to Dish or Directv are repressive and unconstitutional.

Having said, I respect the law and will not allow people to advocate breaking the laws of our country, even if I disagree with them.


Finally, I have no time for anyone saying that it is NOT illegal to receive Dish or Directv in this country. It is not legal, even if you pay the monthly subscription and that has been the rule since the Supreme Court decision of 2001.

[TVJunkie]

My TV antenna picks up lots of channels from the US. I am sure the US companies advertising are not getting the benefit of their targeted advertising revenue and the content providers are not reimbursing the original copyright owners for Canadians watching their programs.

Am I breaking the law by watching free over the air TV from the US?

[gretzky]

Am I breaking the law by watching free over the air TV from the US?

no not at all
it's perfectly legal to watch free to air or any unencrypted signal

[Danno100]

it's perfectly legal to watch free to air or any unencrypted signal

Someone who worked for a cableco told me it was illegal to record OTA HD from the US. Is that true?

With HD OTA (no cable boxes, no multiple remotes), it is getting to the point where if it wasn't for one of two specialty channels, I'm ready to cut the cable cord. With OTA HD I can record to my computer (to two 2 TB drives), share around the house. etc. Plus Cable TV doesn't support a cable card for the computer. Cable TV (Cogeco) in Canada seems primitive these days.

[gretzky]

Someone who worked for a cableco told me it was illegal to record OTA HD from the US. Is that true?

obviously the person who told you so isn't aware it's legal to record OTA HD from the US
or doesn't want you to cut your cable

take it that way
if the channels owner want to encrypt their signal they are free to do so
if not it's perfectly legal for you to watch or record their signal
the canadian says it's illegal to decrypt foreing signal whitout authorisation it doesn'T says anything about watching or recording OTA or FTA signals

[classicsat]

Until the copyright law currntly before parliament passes and goes into effect, technically it is not legal to record TV and radio at all, regardless of source.

[Classof83]

What about watching US networks via a SlingBox located in the States to a SlingCatcher located in Canada? The signals are being decrypted in the States, not here.

[gretzky]

Until the copyright law currntly before parliament passes and goes into effect, technically it is not legal to record TV and radio at all, regardless of source.

you're right itS. strange that they didn't thought about it when the first vcrs where released in the 70's load of recording technology has appeared since then
we had 8 tracks recorders radio cassettes Beta and VHS tapes cdrs dvd-r for unse with computers burners and home DVD recorders minidisc recorders
blu ray burners and the blu ray home recorders are available aswell (but costy)

as for the SlingBox with signal originating from the US well the cables and sats companies doesn't have licence to operate in canada so technically it's an illegal activity or at least it's a grey area but you're right saying that the signal isn't decrypted here but in the US.

[JohnnyCanuck]

To follow up on this thread, and close the loop on the discussion, the BC Court of Appeal has overturned the original decision of Mr. Justice Walker and determined that there is little merit to Mr. Rex's case and that it does not meet the test for advance costs.

Full decision here:http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/...12BCCA0161.htm

Have to admit, the BCCA decision is much better law than the original order.

[rush999]

This thread is old but finding information for helping Canadians subscribe to US providers is non existent on the internet.The only topics that I could find are 8-10 years old.With the Canadian providers increasing their prices every year and the customers receiving less,many Canadians are looking for other alternatives for their TV viewing again.
I wish this topic would again make it to the forefront of the mainstream news like a few years ago with electioneering making it an issue. Its out of sight,so its out of mind for Canadians.

[peano]

We can't talk about subbing to US satellite in this forum, unless you have a US residence.

Edit by 57 - It is illegal in Canada and we do not discuss illegal activity on this forum. If you live in the US, then it's a non-issue - simply contact the provider.