Fines Imposed for Illegal Decryption of Pay-TV Channels
TV encryption specialist Kudelski and TV encryption specialist Kudelski and the television broadcaster Premiere have won a lawsuit against a dealer of illegal smart cards. These cards are needed to decrypt pay-TV channels.
TV encryption specialist Kudelski and the television broadcaster Premiere have won a lawsuit against a dealer of illegal smart cards. These cards are required to decrypt pay-TV channels. The Brugg AG District Court has fined the seller of six such smart cards 3,000 Swiss francs. The Kudelski Group and Premiere had filed a complaint against the dealer with the Brugg District Court in late 2005. The fine sends a clear message to dealers and potential users «that television piracy is not a trivial offense,» Kudelski stated in a press release. Hackers repeatedly crack the codes for such cards, causing pay-TV providers to lose revenue.
In the canton of Zug, a single judge fined two sellers of illegal smart cards 2,500 francs each in March. They were also required to forfeit the 20,000 francs in illicit profits. Kudelski was among the plaintiffs in that case as well.
In the canton of Zug, a single judge fined two sellers of illegal smart cards 2,500 francs each in March. They were also required to forfeit the 20,000 francs in illicit profits. Kudelski was among the plaintiffs in that case as well.
