Source : National Post

New snitch line

Canada's cable companies are planning to create a snitch line with Crimestoppers that will ultimately reward people for ratting out dealers, and even neighbours, who are suspected of pirating U.S. satellite television services.

The campaign would be an escalation of the previous message that using technology to descramble an available U.S. TV signal carrying channels unavailable in Canada is tantamount to theft.

If a deal is hammered out with Crimestoppers -- a volunteer group that offers rewards for tips on crime that are turned over to local police -- pilot programs will begin in January, according to Harris Boyd, a senior vice-president at the Canadian Cable Television Association, which is negotiating with Crimestoppers.

Jim Shaw, chief executive of Calgary-based Shaw Communications, Canada's second-largest cable operator, said the campaign against signal theft is escalating because the problem continues to exist -- despite a Supreme Court of Canada ruling last year that said possessing and selling equipment to decode unauthorized television signals is in contravention of the Radiocommunication Act.

"What if you were asked to turn in a dealer, report a neighbour, report an enemy, report your mother-in-law?" he asked. "It's illegal in Canada and people should know it."

Upwards of 750,000 Canadians get satellite TV through U.S. services, either by setting up a phony U.S. address to which bills are sent, or buying "hacked" cards that descramble with no monthly fee the U.S. satellite signals that flow into Canada, industry figures suggest.

That is a large number considering that Canada's fourth-largest cable firm, Cogeco Cable Inc., has just over one million customers.

The Canadian broadcast industry estimates that subscriber and viewer losses to the U.S. services drain at least $400-million in annual revenue from the system.

Mr. Boyd said the Crimestoppers initiative is a "no brainer" in conjunction with other initiatives including trying to persuade the federal broadcast regulator to allow cable companies to sell foreign channels available on the U.S. satellite services -- such as HBO, Qatar's Al Jazeera news service and Italy's RAI -- directly to their customers.

Crimestoppers approached the cable association in the fall and the two organizations are working out details including the amount of money in each reward, what would be required to receive it, and how the program could be rolled out across the country, he said.

The fact charges against more than 60 alleged dealers have led to fewer than 10 convictions leads to the question: "At what point do you give a reward when you want to encourage this?" he said.

According to the plan so far, the cable association would reimburse Crimestoppers for rewards, and would create and air television advertisements promoting the program, said Mr. Boyd.

While the previous campaign by an entertainment industry consortium, including The Canadian Cable Television Association, played on the conscience of individuals, the latest tactic appears poised to force the issue through the use of private citizens who believe satellite piracy is wrong.

According to one industry insider, cable companies feel they are battling a large chunk of the viewing public that does not see anything wrong with descrambling the signals that spill into our skies from the U.S., and politicians and police forces that find it unpalatable to lay criminal charges against someone for the television channels they choose to watch.

"The police have no appetite for going after individuals," said Mr. Boyd, who, nevertheless acknowledged that the Crimestoppers line and its rewards might attract people to turn in neighbours who simply watch a pirated TV signal.

The cable association "will try to structure [the advertisements so callers] think about commercial activity," said Mr. Boyd.

It will be up to police to decide which tips to pursue, he said.

Since last year's Supreme Court decision, no individual has been charged or sanctioned for buying the equipment for personal use and watching the U.S. signal.

A lawyer, who has advised industry clients on the satellite piracy issue, said it would be "a whole new argument" if an individual was charged.

Indeed, the Supreme Court ruling said it would not be correct "to insinuate that the decision ... will have the effect of automatically branding every Canadian resident who subscribes to and pays for U.S. DTH broadcasting services as a criminal."

In September, the federal government proposed amendments to the Radiocommunication Act to control the import of illegal satellite equipment, increase penalties and fines to deter theft and strengthen the ability of broadcasters to take civil action against those who sell illegal equipment. But the changes were put on hold and may have to wait until after a federal election is held before they are enacted.

© National Post