Set top box modders go to jail

chris9991 · 16-09-2010, 12:32

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/16/vm_fraud/

Five years - seems quite a long time

Digital Fanatic · 16-09-2010, 12:37

Quote:

The group were arrested in 2008, when 2,000 illegally modified set-top boxes were found during police raids in the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham. Large quantites of cash and two vehicles were also seized.

The convictions are part of a concerted effort by Virgin Media in recent years to stamp out set-top box and modem fraud. It claims network updates are making it impossible to take internet and TV services for free.

"Later this month, we will introduce a new encryption process in Birmingham, which is already rolling out across other parts of the UK now," said head of fraud and security Malcolm Davies. "This will protect our existing customers and make it impossible for others to take our services unless they pay for them legitimately."

Taf · 16-09-2010, 12:40

If Sky complete their takeover of VM's TV system, they will expect no theft of their content... so they probably told the judges to be severe

lymmranger · 16-09-2010, 12:43

at last a sensible judge

Woking User · 16-09-2010, 14:12

great news for those that pay and actually quite funny too - 5 years inside, ha ha

adzii_nufc · 16-09-2010, 17:07

5 years may be a long time but they should have instead have been charged the price for every single set top box running for 5 years with all channels including box office!

Sirius · 16-09-2010, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woking User

great news for those that pay and actually quite funny too - 5 years inside, ha ha

Best they dont drop the soap in the shower

RobboEdin · 16-09-2010, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

Best they dont drop the soap in the shower

...especially if some of their previous clients are inside with them and getting complaints that their wives and families are no longer getting all their channels!

....but we shouldn't laugh. YES WE SHOULD.

Toto · 16-09-2010, 20:22

Just goes to prove that theft of TV channels is a criminal offence - they have got what they deserved, no more, no less.

Peter_ · 16-09-2010, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

Best they dont drop the soap in the shower

Why in case someone tries to chip them.

They fully deserve the sentences handed down to them and I hope many others go the same way.

colin25 · 16-09-2010, 20:33

Do they get Virgin cable in prison..or is it Sky

Wait, do they get to see the sky whilst in prison?

Rockabilly Spike · 16-09-2010, 21:55

my former employer was given a £40,000 fine and 300hrs community service

Ignitionnet · 17-09-2010, 08:55

That's a hell of a punishment. On its' own this is fine, though on the wider picture t's not a good thing when property related crimes carry harsher sentences than crimes against persons.

Sirius · 17-09-2010, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

That's a hell of a punishment. On its' own this is fine, though on the wider picture t's not a good thing when property related crimes carry harsher sentences than crimes against persons.

it's simple if they do the crime they should be willing to do the time

Ignitionnet · 17-09-2010, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

it's simple if they do the crime they should be willing to do the time

That whooshing I just felt was I suspect the point being missed.

I didn't say the sentence was wrong I said it's wrong that this is treated in this way while crimes against people are being treated more leniently. If we can just drop the orgasmic fervour that seems to greet anti-piracy announcements like N3 and these busts it's easier to see what I said. Too many crimes don't carry the time and it seems quite disproportionate for this to get 5 years while negligently killing another person doesn't necessarily get that.