Webmaster of
www.LOGOFREETV.org.uk writing:
Frustrated by Channel 4 Corporation's latest RED DOT irritation and a total lack of response to our case documents from everyone, I am trying yet another new approach.
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 states:
[QUOTE 1.(1) A person is guilty of an offence if
(a) he causes a computer to perform any function with intent to secure access to any program or data held in any computer;
(b) the access he intends to secure is unauthorised; and
(c) he knows at the time when he causes the computer to perform the function that that is the case.
(2) The intent a person has to have to commit an offence under this section need not be directed at
(a) any particular program or data;
(b) a program or data of any particular kind; or
(c) a program or data held in any particular computer.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.[/QUOTE]
I am taking the view that my Sky Digital Set Top Box is a "computer" in exactly the same sense that my PC is a computer and my web server is a computer.
It is no more relevant that BSKYB wrote the STB's operating system, than Microsoft wrote most desktop computer's OS, or that Unix powers a server. As the system owner, I have the right to declare access to my computer systems off-limits to unauthorised access.
I have given C4 written notice under the 1990 Computer Misuse Act that it is "forbidden" access to my STB Computer system.
Consequently, as C4 continues to access my STB by running it's RED DOT software on my system violating my access denied notice, C4 is in breach of this law. Theoretically, it's CEO could be imprisoned for this!
I am now taking legal advice and I am hoping that The Computer Misuse Act will force C4 to withdraw from it's unauthorised access of my STB. (I have no concern about any other computer system other than my own.)
If the weight of law can be used against TV licence holders, then I can not see how they will be able to carry on "spamming" people with Interactive Services without delivering an "OPT OUT" to consumers.
A lot of people disagree with my approach and ridicule the idea. I don't care; If I "fall over", I just get up and try again!
http://forum.logofreetv.org.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=469
Short of organising a protest outside Horseferry Road, London, this is the only way forward.
At the top of
www.LOGOFREETV.org.uk there is a link which logged on members can use to generate an instant "Computer Misuse Act RED DOT prohibitted notice to C4".
I suggest all viewers pieved with logos, RED DOTs, on-screen garbage, complain early, complain regularly, complain often. Formatting tools are available on my web site.
Good luck to all of us.