free internet

[The Merg]

antnyc:

According to Virginia criminal code:

§ 18.2-152.6. Theft of computer services; penalties.

Any person who willfully obtains computer services without authority is guilty of the crime of theft of computer services, which shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the theft of computer services is valued at $2,500 or more, he is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

§ 18.2-152.2. Definitions.

For purposes of this article:

"Computer services" means computer time or services, including data processing services, Internet services, electronic mail services, electronic message services, or information or data stored in connection therewith.

It's illegal. That simple.

But, to counter your argument...

Originally Posted by antnyc

If the car was left inside your garage with the engine running, tell me will you just leave it there? Or will you use it to go somewhere or at least take it out of your property. Don't tell me you will call a police because if you will then we all should call a police whenver an open wap found its way to our living room.

You're right, you don't just leave your car running in the garage. Say you go to the 7-11 though and run in to get coffee and leave your car running and unlocked. Does that mean you are leaving it there for someone to use it if they want it? I don't think so.

If I have an apartment that I own and no one currently lives there, does that mean someone can just come in and stay there if one day I leave the front door open? Once, again no.

Yes a WAP signal does through walls, but there is no law about having a radio signal trespassing in your house. You can even consider this to something like people that steal cable. Everyone gets the signal sent to their house, but if you unscramble a scrambled signal without permission, it's illegal. Now you might argue that the signal in that case is "secured" by being scrambled, but they did send it to your house.

But, to put it simply. It's against the law. It's explicitly stated in the code section.

- Merg

[excuzzzeme]

Originally Posted by rbockman

. . . He is putting his signal out there, for use by anyone who wants it. It is not stealing. It is your neighbors choice.

I did not have sex with that woman.

Bill Clinton

[frostbitetwice]

I am in complete 100% agreement with this piece..

Techdirt: On The Criminality Of WiFi Piggybacking...

[RobRich]

And yet again to clarify, some states actually have specific laws regarding this situation. For example, it can be a felony violation in Florida.

[frostbitetwice]

Originally Posted by RobRich

And yet again to clarify, some states actually have specific laws regarding this situation. For example, it can be a felony violation in Florida.

I have reread your post five and the statue and there is no mention of intercepting a WiFi signial...IMHO, it is clear that this Florida does not incorporate this issue and in order to do so it must be plane on site.

Moreover, why is the state fiat need in this matter, when the remedy is available for each user. This is no different than placing ones garage on the street, it becomes public..

Even post 31, by The Merg, in which the law reference "Internet Services" is broad and vague. After all what is meant by "Internet Services."

[RobRich]

Keep thinking your open and broad interpretation of "theft of services" laws. All I am going to say is people have been arrested and prosecuted in my state for felony theft of open WiFi service.

I am not here discussing if you agree with said law.

[frostbitetwice]

Originally Posted by RobRich

Keep thinking your open and broad interpretation of "theft of services" laws. All I am going to say is people have been arrested and prosecuted in my state for felony theft of open WiFi service.

I am not here discussing if you agree with said law.

Master Rich, a felony for intercepting Wifi, I think Florida has a problem, over...

Are you forgetting that there are 49 others states and Florida is not the center of the world, nor America...

[RobRich]

The reality is many states have theft of service laws. For additional clarification's sake, want to start reading them for all 50 states?

[frostbitetwice]

Originally Posted by RobRich

The reality is many states have theft of service laws. For additional clarification's sake, want to start reading them for all 50 states?

Good gravy, Master Rich, I would be better off incarcerated or banned...

[Bizsell]

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

Yes. It's stealing if you don't have your neighbor's permission.

LOL do you really think that. It is not stealing it's his neighbors fault for not putting a wep key or any other kind of security on it. As long as you don't do anything illegal with it, it is perfectly okay.