1067
Unauthorized Reception of Cable Service47 U.S.C.
§ 553
|
The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 added a new section, 47
U.S.C. § 553. This section prohibits receiving cable communications
service
without permission of the operator, thereby prohibiting the theft of
commercial
cable communications. The sale or distribution of equipment that would
enable
a person to receive, without authority, the reception of communications
services
offered over a cable system also falls within the proscription of this
provision.
The Act provides for both criminal and civil penalties for
violations
of this section. The victim of an interception may bring a civil action in
federal court for an injunction, damages, and costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees. Since there is a civil remedy for violations of 47 U.S.C.
§
553, United States Attorneys should consider whether this civil remedy is an
adequate alternative to prosecution.
[cited in USAM 9-60.200] | |