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Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

telecom.csail.mit.edu

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Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#11

Post by shusaku »

Hizonner wrote: post #7

While Comcast should get plenty of blame here, it's also true that it's flat out dereliction of duty for a prosecutor to file a case based on nothing but an uninvestigated complaint from some random corporation. At least Comcast made some attempt to fix it... and also got stonewalled by the State's Attorney's office.

> In Which I Find Out that the Attorney for Comcast Actually Does Have a Sense of Humor

I think the work by this attorney really did a lot to take the blame off of Comcast, which is probably why the author felt fine not suing at the end.

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#13

Post by incompatible »

nazgulsenpai wrote: post #2

Even though this happened 25 years ago (sidenote, good God I'm getting old) it still made my blood boil. Makes you wonder how many people who weren't as proactive weren't as fortunate as to have the bogus charges dismissed.

It seems fairly tame to me, as far as historical injustices go.

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#14

Post by throwaway54_56 »

haggy102 wrote: post #9
hgsgm wrote: post #6

Comcast/Xfinity is a criminal organization. Hasn't changed. Don't give the your money. When's the last time an honest, reputable business changed its name? I've seen name changes in restaurants, social networks, apartment buildings, duct cleaning scammers, and it's never for a good reason.

The problem is that it's often the only choice. ISPs often have a monopoly over their territory.

I moved a mile away from my old house and had to switch cable providers. I preferred the old one, but apparently I crossed the boundary.

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#15

Post by emodendroket »

Hizonner wrote: post #7

While Comcast should get plenty of blame here, it's also true that it's flat out dereliction of duty for a prosecutor to file a case based on nothing but an uninvestigated complaint from some random corporation. At least Comcast made some attempt to fix it... and also got stonewalled by the State's Attorney's office.

You know, I've had similar thoughts about the Hertz debacle where people were thrown in jail for having rented cars and used them as agreed. I don't think if I made a phone call to the local police department and told them so-and-so stole my car they'd throw them in jail without asking any questions (at least I hope not). Why is Hertz any different?

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#17

Post by cogman10 »

I thought this might be fiction because the amount of time for pirating cable seemed crazy.. However [1] there are indeed up to 6 month penalties for stealing cable. That's just ludicrous. How could copyright theft ever be anything other than a civil action? Jail time for stealing cable, that's just insane. Nobody gets hurt from stolen cable.

We really need to look long and hard at what we allow jail time for. Jail time in service of big media corporations seems just insane.

[1] https://www.tec.com/legal/cable-theft-information

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#18

Post by Larrikin »

cogman10 wrote: post #17

I thought this might be fiction because the amount of time for pirating cable seemed crazy.. However [1] there are indeed up to 6 month penalties for stealing cable. That's just ludicrous. How could copyright theft ever be anything other than a civil action? Jail time for stealing cable, that's just insane. Nobody gets hurt from stolen cable. We really need to look long and hard at what we allow jail time for. Jail t…

[flagged]

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#19

Post by coding123 »

jonny_eh wrote: post #3

I feel like if something this dumb happened now, there'd be no way to get it resolved that quickly, and without hiring a lawyer. Getting Comcast lawyers to respond to you at all is the one bit in particular I can't picture happening.

You can't even get a lawyer to call you back anymore because they're working from home too - which means they are at the beach all day with the kids, and will maybe check their voicemail in the next few days.

Re: Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

#20

Post by dools »

Here in Australia, you would just need to call the TIO to get it sorted out. Likewise if financial institutions are stuffing you about, call ACMA. If it's an energy company, call Energy and Water.

A perfect example of how the private sector cannot self regulate to the benefit of consumers simply because a profit motive exists.

Every time I've made an ombudsman complaint I have received Good Service™ from the company and a speedy resolution to my problem.

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