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).

[MrSpartan1717]

Kinda off topic and kinda on topic here. I know you guys and girls our mostly American I would assume since your talking about state laws here. I would bring up the laws in Canada about telecommunication theft in Chanda.

If any of you users our interested in this.

But even up north here in Canada it is illegal nation wide. We call it WIFI squatting. And you can spend up to 2 years in jail and be fined $5000 CAD per occurrence. It falls under 326 and 327 of criminal code of Canada.

Theft of telecommunication service

326. (1) Every one commits theft who fraudulently, maliciously, or without colour of right,

(a) abstracts, consumes or uses electricity or gas or causes it to be wasted or diverted; or

(b) uses any telecommunication facility or obtains any telecommunication service.

Definition of "telecommunication"


(2) In this section and section 327, "telecommunication" means any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writing, images or sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, visual or other electromagnetic system.

And

Possession of device to obtain telecommunication facility or service



(2) In this section and section 327, "telecommunication" means any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writing, images or sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, visual or other electromagnetic system.

R.S., c. C-34, s. 287; 1974-75-76, c. 93, s. 23.

Possession of device to obtain telecommunication facility or service


327. (1) Every one who, without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies on him, manufactures, possesses, sells or offers for sale or distributes any instrument or device or any component thereof, the design of which renders it primarily useful for obtaining the use of any telecommunication facility or service, under circumstances that give rise to a reasonable inference that the device has been used or is or was intended to be used to obtain the use of any telecommunication facility or service without payment of a lawful charge therefor, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

Forfeiture


(2) Where a person is convicted of an offense under subsection (1) or paragraph 326(1)(b), any instrument or device in relation to which the offense was committed or the possession of which constituted the offense, on such conviction, in addition to any punishment that is imposed, may be ordered forfeited to Her Majesty, whereupon it may be disposed of as the Attorney General directs.

Limitation


(3) No order for forfeiture shall be made under subsection (2) in respect of telephone, telegraph or other communication facilities or equipment owned by a person engaged in providing telephone, telegraph or other communication service to the public or forming part of the telephone, telegraph or other communication service or system of such a person by means of which an offense under subsection (1) has been committed if such person was not a party to the offense.

Sorry if the copy and paste seems off. But there is proof even here it is wrong and is against the law.

Plus the way I see it is if you do not pay for it or have permission to use it. And you our still going threw and taking it with out permission you our morally wrong and should be caught and face the law. To me if it is legal which it is not and it still felt as stealing you should be punished in one way or another to me stealing is stealing.

I personally do not make a lot of income but I still pay for my internet every month. And I'm 20 and a student who works hard.

Plus now a days internet is cheap enough that you should be able to pay for it.

I have 15 Mb/s Connection with a feature called Power Boost by Shaw Cable Inc. Which brings up to about 25 Mb/s to its peak of 30 Mb/s and I only pay 19.95 a month Canadian. Which I do not think is bad since half the DSL providers which we have alot of wanted to only give me 7 Mb/s for around 35 to 45.

Before I moved in. My room mates where squatting a signal somewhere in the apartment building. And they said oh it is OK we do it all the time we never pay for internet ever we just steal wireless signals. And I was very offended. Because I have always payed or got permission to use the internet.

I got to the point where I got really upset with them and said No I'm not doing that. I will order my own connection.

I have strong morals and values and to me stealing is stealing no matter the way shape or form is stealing weather legal or illegal.

And ordered my self a connection. I think in my area a good price for the speed.

Plus I know too if you get caught stealing a telecommunication signal of any kind you can be black listed from a lot of the major company's in Canada. I have seen this with satellite television.

A guy I used to go to high school that happened to his dad. Because I asked him one day why he never watched Television. And he told me that is the reason why. His dad was black listed.

And here is some articles talking about this and I will even paste the link to the Criminal Code of Canada Theft Section. Again it under 326 and 327.

Is it illegal to wi-fi squatting in Ontario or Canada? - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Tech Bytes: Is stealing wi-fi really stealing?

Criminal Code of Canada - Theft Sections