Accused of €9.2m free cable TV scam.

[fj1200]

Student accused of €9.2m
free cable
TV scam

A MAN is being sued by four subscription cable TV companies for allegedly costing them up to €9.2m by selling equipment enabling free access to their services.
Thomas Roddy, with addresses at Lower Salthill, Galway, and Crenane Bridge, Ballaghderreen, Co Roscommon, is facing actions by UPC Communications Ireland Ltd, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3, and three Swiss registered companies - Nagravision SA, Nagracard SA and Kudelski SA - which all provide services controlling access to digital TV and broadband internet.
Mr Roddy claims to be a student teacher suffering from depressive episodes.
But, just after he had signed himself in for holistic therapy, it was discovered that €200,000 was being "squirrelled away" from at least 15 bank accounts in his name, Mr Justice Peter Kelly was told yesterday by counsel for the companies.
The judge granted applications by the companies to transfer their proceedings against Mr Roddy to the Commercial Court.
Counsel for the companies said his clients believed their loss of opportunity due to Mr Roddy's activities amounted to some €9.2m. It had never been suggested Mr Roddy had a substantial defence to the case, counsel added.
Counsel for Mr Roddy said the defence were denying all the claims "as it stands'; and he asked for time to take instructions from his client as to how matters should move from here. There was an issue concerning Mr Roddy's psychiatric condition, he added.
Judge Kelly adjourned the proceedings for a week to allow instructions be taken from Mr Roddy.
It is claimed Mr Roddy was involved in providing services - hardware, software and websites - which assisted others to receive cable and MMDS services without paying subscriptions.
Such "protection-defeating services" included the alleged importing, marketing, selling and distribution of set-top boxes (STBs) with a particular software enabling persons to gain unauthorised access to a range of digital cable and MMDS subscription services.
A private investigator for the companies said in an affidavit that he contacted Mr Roddy via a www* Irelandeurovox *com website, arranged to meet him in Dublin on October 13, 2007, and bought a box labelled as a Eurovox Max V Digital Satellite receiver for €225.
Selling
The investigator said Mr Roddy later offered, in November 2007, to sell him eight boxes at €155 each and to show him how to program them. He'claimed Mr Roddy said he had been selling the boxes for a year.
The companies last June secured a court order to search and seize goods from a premises used by Mr Roddy at Bally-mount Cross Industrial Estate, Dublin, but claimed their agents were frustrated from carrying out that order as Mr Roddy allegedly refused to co-operate.
In later proceedings, the court was told Mr Roddy could not attend as he was undergoing intensive psychotherapy for depression. The case was adjourned on a number of undertakings of Mr Roddy, including to cease all infringing activities.
Mr Roddy denies all the claims and says if the companies have suffered loss and damage, this was caused or contributed to by actions of members of the public who had chosen to access certain hardware and software to access digital subscription services which they had to pay for.'

From yesterdays Irish Independent.

[gji25]

dont think so.... as if he was supplying boxes they surely were only fta which is perfectly legal as all the big electrical stores sell fta boxes and you dont hear of them being taking to court ( if you know what i mean)

[fj1200]

''The investigator said Mr Roddy later offered, in November 2007, to sell him eight boxes at €155 each and to show him how to program them.'' Big electrical stores don't offer this service. I would think this is what they are unhappy about.

[tdubman]

theres no fta in ireland

[kerrywez]

Well for a student techer he is doing Ok, he has two addresses, can't be too hard up in my opinion. As for no FTA in Ireland, what have I been watching from the BBC, UTV, CH4 and the rest of the FTA on Astra2 and Eurobird @ 28E. Every country that can receive satellite signals has to have FTA.

What gets up my nose is that we, here in Ireland, can't get our own public brodcasters on satellite, without having to pay that poor hard up Murdock family. It is about time that we were able to receieve Rte 1 and 2, Ch3 and Tg4 on satellite, without having to pay Sly for the privilage of doing so.

Very best regards Wez

[gadgetfiend]

If he has been selling them without software then he should be ok, you can buy a TV from currys then take it and use it at an address without a tv license ! its the end user who is ultimately breaking the law, its a very grey area altogether though and its easier for them to go after the seller as always, hope he gets off though.

[gji25]

Originally Posted by fj1200

''The investigator said Mr Roddy later offered, in November 2007, to sell him eight boxes at €155 each and to show him how to program them.'' Big electrical stores don't offer this service. I would think this is what they are unhappy about.

but they supply instructions how to tune them

[fj1200]

He was ''allegedly'' importing, marketing, selling and distributing set-top boxes (STBs) with a particular software enabling persons to gain unauthorised access to a range of digital cable and MMDS subscription services. Slightly different to supplying instructions. The boxes come with instructions but, as far as I know, they, the instructions, don't tell you how to access unauthorised channels. Anyway his ''psychiatric condition'' will probably mean just a slap on the wrist. Good look to him. But, Seller Beware

[pje]

If (he) brings "they" bring the box into court hook it up and try get nthell.... what do you think will happen..October 13, 2007...

[cossworx]

These boxes are sold without being pre-loaded with the software. It is the customers sole resbosibility for the use of the box. ie downloading firmware onto the box. This software is easily available on the internet and also tutorials on how to get you box working. In this case Mr. Roddy apparently showed a customer how to get the box working which is his only problem otherwise he would not be in a lawsuit now. I dont know exactly how much he showed the customer and im keen to find out. I would say even if he loaded the software onto the box and had it ready for the customer unless he physically plugged the cable input into the back of the box he is not liable for these proceedings.
If i showed you how to use a gun and what you can do with it and if you went out tommorow and killed your neighbour I would not be at fault at all and would not be prosecuted.
So overall in my opinion the user should bear sole resposibility for its use.