Locked Freeview television stations

[platinum01]

Hello

My name is Simon and I'm new to these forums. I am here on behalf of a friend who runs a free service online.

In the UK some Freeview television stations are 'locked' so that you must pay-to-view them. There are a few like this. The one is question here is an adult channel and I, personally, do not condone its viewing. However, the question I have for this forum is irrelevant to the content of the channel itself.

The website my friend runs allows its users to enter their viewer code (given out to them when they start to purchase access to a channel) and generate a 'passcode' a four digit number, which allows the viewers to gain free access to the channel - supposedly.

My friend's website has a disclamer issuing several messages (terms of service etc.) stating that he does not in anyway condone the codes being used to gain access to pay-for-view channels - in other words it says don't do what the title of this website suggests you do do. The disclaimer clearly states that the website holds no liability for the actions of its users.

The website works by searching other websites for 'codes' that are required to convert the viewer numbers into password numbers.

My friend, himself, does not in anyway 'hack' (for want of a better word) into these channels to provide the service. With specialist equipment it is possible to extract the codes in the 'airwaves' that allow one to gain free access to a channel - again, I state my friend does NOT do this. Instead, his website automatically sources the codes from others who do extract the codes in this manner and put them on THEIR websites.

In other words my friends website merely syndicates others' content and packages it.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Many thanks in advance.

Simon

 

[Michael Wechsler]

Hello
The website my friend runs allows its users to enter their viewer code (given out to them when they start to purchase access to a channel) and generate a 'passcode' a four digit number, which allows the viewers to gain free access to the channel - supposedly.

My friend's website has a disclamer issuing several messages (terms of service etc.) stating that he does not in anyway condone the codes being used to gain access to pay-for-view channels - in other words it says don't do what the title of this website suggests you do do. The disclaimer clearly states that the website holds no liability for the actions of its users.

The website works by searching other websites for 'codes' that are required to convert the viewer numbers into password numbers.

My friend, himself, does not in anyway 'hack' (for want of a better word) into these channels to provide the service. With specialist equipment it is possible to extract the codes in the 'airwaves' that allow one to gain free access to a channel - again, I state my friend does NOT do this. Instead, his website automatically sources the codes from others who do extract the codes in this manner and put them on THEIR websites.

In other words my friends website merely syndicates others' content and packages it.

My all time favorite terms of use were the ones that, with regard to pirated software or IP, would limit their liability and claim that the software/information was provided "for entertainment purposes only" etc. These mean nothing if the underlying IP provided constitutes infringement.

Call it what you want, your friend's web site was created and designed to be a vehicle to obtain illegal information. Let's argue it's not illegal, go argue it out with whatever large company he's going to anger. In America, most companies will send a letter claiming to be pursuant to the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) to shut down these activities.