[ut.general] decoder business

anthony@utcsstat.UUCP (07/11/85)

	For the sake of completeness, I wish to post the article below on
ut.general as well (given that my original request was posted on ut.general
also).

>
>	Have people forgotten that although technically illegal, taverns and
>home owners CAN have their satellite dishes ?!  And I don't mean can have
>through illegal means - two years ago (or so) the government gave permission
>for this. In fact, last night I saw a commercial (by The Brick) for satellite
>dishes going for $998.00. Granted that a satellite dish and a decoder are not
>twin beasts, there is sufficient common ground between them to explain the
>legal presence or absence of both (and not one or the other). Either way you
>see it, possession of a satellite dish and/or a decoder either violates or
>does NOT violate the telecommunications laws. I	find it quite odd (and strange
>that some people get offended by such a request) when I can get my hands on
>telecommunications media using a satellite dish and yet not be able to access
>the same signals using a decoder.
>	For those purists (other nouns also come to mind) who view such a
>request as being criminal, excuse me for not having your noble morals! When
>was the last time you guys (and/or ladies) copied a floppy disk that had
>copywrite on it (or some similar act).
>	Of course, I expect all kinds of mail - "Who, me??  I buy all of my
>software. Ditto for all my manuals, and my Apple clone (aah I mean my II+)".
>	For the VERY few that do go "by the book", my sincere apologies for
>the above remark. As to the remaining 99.999999%, ........
>	I should also add that I am NOT using the actions of others to
>justify mine (undoubtedly, someone would have suggested this). The basis
>is given above about the paradox of being able to own a satellite dish
>but not a decoder!
-- 

       	{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!utcsstat!anthony
        {ihnp4|decvax|utzoo|utcsrgv}!utcs!utzoo!utcsstat!anthony