http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/ Switched Comments for Man Charged for Using Cafe's Free Wi-Fi http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/
18 U.S.C. § 2511 INTERCEPTION AND DISCLOSURE OF WIRE, ORAL, OR, ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

2 (g) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter [18 USCS §§ 2510 et seq.] or chapter 121 of this title [18 USCS §§ 2701 et seq.] for any person--

( i ) to intercept or access an electronic communication made through an electronic communication system that is configured so that such electronic communication is readily accessible to the general public;

( v ) for other users of the same frequency to intercept any radio communication made through a system that utilizes frequencies monitored by individuals engaged in the provision or the use of such system, if such communication is not scrambled or encrypted.

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Basically, any transmission that isn't encrypted may be legally intercepted and/or used. If the wifi wasn't encrypted, it's legal.

Unfortunately, this law probably won't even be referenced in the case, because few people know about it.]]>Dec 17th 2008 8:52PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/May 29th 2007 10:32PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/May 30th 2007 7:40AMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/May 30th 2007 3:50PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/May 30th 2007 4:14PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/May 30th 2007 8:31PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Jun 2nd 2007 1:57AMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Jul 2nd 2007 2:31PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/
Businesses offer "free" services to market themselves to make money. Free food is offered to tavern customers to induce them to buy a drink. I don't think it is right for someone to take to tin of nuts from a tavern's storage shed just because the owners would have given them away for "free" in any case.

The cost of this "free" service, ISP charges, network equipment, electricity, etc., is rarely eaten by the business. Instead, it is built into the cost of the products, with everyone paying a small amount. If Mr. Peterson had gone into the cafe, allowing the owner to continue to TRY (good products, nice atmosphere, reasonable prices, etc.) to make a sale, his decision not to buy would become a marketing cost to the cafe. By remaining outside, that opportunity was lost and he passed the cost of his access, small though it was, on to the owner and customers. While this may not seem fair to those customers, who do not use the service, they are free to go elsewhere.

As for, "on the air, it is free", it's never free. Broadcast TV is supported by commercials.
]]>Jul 19th 2007 2:10PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Jul 23rd 2007 3:40PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/
To quote a quote in Alans response: As for, "on the air, it is free", it's never free. Broadcast TV is supported by commercials.

The wifi is supported by the regular customers.

]]>Jul 27th 2007 2:26AMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/This is for Alan's post: As for, "on the air, it is free", it's never free. Broadcast TV is supported by commercials.

Broadcasted wi-fi is supported by the customers or the person that doesn't encrypt it.]]>Jul 27th 2007 2:29AMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/
--- CHAS]]>Jul 23rd 2007 6:24PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Jul 23rd 2007 6:41PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Jul 23rd 2007 7:16PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Jul 23rd 2007 10:31PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/I know storm troopers when I see them. I know; I saw the original bunch. They were not the smartest either.
What a waste of energy just for a fast buck.]]>Jul 31st 2007 6:38PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/
The DCMA and other laws brought into force after 9/11 concern many peaceful and law abiding americans. They exploit the basic freedoms that we used to take for granted.

I would love the ability to check my email freely by simply donating the service to others and hope they recipricate. I have not because I do worry about security issues not to mention the cable companies would come down on me for giving away a service that I pay for.

Why make a criminal out of your neighbor for checking his email when no one knew it was a crime in the first place? Its easy to pass judgement after the fact when you are not the one in the hot seat.

I would like to hope this gets appealed to a much higher court with some common sence. However that costs money and we all know that money makes the laws in this land of opportunity.

While some have argued that he is guilty because he was not in the establishment, who is to say he was not a customer in the past? or even a good customer of the place. I will argue further and say if he had the money to spend he would have just bought a wireless card. But we really dont know any of this. Most of these arguments are simply speculation.

I don't like lawsuits but I imagine I would like jail or 400.00 fine and 40 hours of community service for getting free email even less.

Have a great day.
Sunset1 ]]>Aug 7th 2007 10:33PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Aug 28th 2007 3:50PMhttp://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/29/man-charged-for-using-cafes-free-wi-fi/Aug 28th 2007 6:00PM