free internet

[Bizsell]

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?

this is totally off topic but you no new thread thing on the first fourm is not really working.

[RobRich]

Originally Posted by Bizsell

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.

No offense, but did you even bother reading this thread?

Originally Posted by Bizsell

this is totally off topic but you no new thread thing on the first fourm is not really working.

Works fine. The frontpage deal forum is intended to do exactly what it says, carry over frontpage deals, which are usually posted be me. "No new threads" means if you want to post a deal thread, post it to the hot deals forum instead.

[cubebomb]

I think it is not stealing when a device automatically connects to an opened wireless hotspot. the user did not have the " mens rea" to begin with it. Noe any action in the internet considered illegal would be applied to this matter. but simply connecting to a wireless WEP free connection is not a criminal act. perfect example is the trash on the first posts.

[RobRich]

Originally Posted by cubebomb

I think it is not stealing when a device automatically connects to an opened wireless hotspot. the user did not have the " mens rea" to begin with it. Noe any action in the internet considered illegal would be applied to this matter. but simply connecting to a wireless WEP free connection is not a criminal act. perfect example is the trash on the first posts.

....

Originally Posted by RobRich

No offense, but did you even bother reading this thread?

[Atomic Rooster]

There's a big difference between a free wireless hotspot such as one at your local coffee shop and leeching off your neighbor's wireless router.

[RobRich]

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

There's a big difference between a free wireless hotspot such as one at your local coffee shop and leeching off your neighbor's wireless router.

^This.

[jacqm]

Originally Posted by The Merg

antnyc:
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

In this case, no one mentioned about unscrambling the signal, its kept open by the owner and therefore its an invite for anyone to use it. A quote from this article -> Techdirt: On The Criminality Of WiFi Piggybacking...

Of course, there will be those who say that the owners didn't intend for the network to be open -- but that's really besides the point here. The only information a user has is does the network say: "you're welcome here" or not. If it's open, it sends out an invite that specifically says: this network is open, come use it. That's authorization, and using such a network is not "theft" in any sense.

People can not take analogy of a car with engine running and door unlock, its totally different nature. People who uses wireless routers should know that unless they put a security key then people can connect to their internet and if they don't then they're inviting someone to use it, that simple.

[Dragon Slayer]

Although already briefly mentioned,- most ISP user access licensing agreements are for individual use by the user who is paying for the account, Most ISP's specifically prohibit 'subletting' of ISP non-commercial accessl- meaning that the additional bandwidth is not theirs to decide to permit you to use. Additionally, in permitting open access to their access portal,- they can themselves be held liable, both civil and criminal, for the activities traced to their ISP, whether or not the MAC address is of their personal computer equipmet. 9They have a responsibility to take at least minimal effort in securing the ISP connection).

Unless your neighbor is paying for a T1 trunk and commercial account with unlimited bandwidth,- it is improbable that their ISP account permits them to allow you access,- even if they wanted to (technically, theft of services on the part of both parties).