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SBCA Files Comments on NRTC Emergency Petition The SBCA filed comments yesterday with the FCC in support of the NRTC's emergency petition to intervene in the PrimeTime 24 lawsuit with a handful of broadcasters in Miami. The SBCA supports the NRTC's request that the FCC get involved in the case, saying the two rganizaotions "believe that the public interest in fostering the development of satellite television as a viable competitor to cable television requires the Commission" to do so. The SBCA and NRTC are hoping the FCC will redefine the broadcasters' "Grade B" signal area, which they argue currently creates a "standard impossible to determine or measure," SBCA President Chuck Hewitt said. The commission has given the emergency petition a high level of interest, which is a "very good sign," NRTC President Bob Phillips said. The SBCA also wants consumers and dealers to contact Capitol Hill regarding the issue, and the two groups are also meeting regularly with Senate and House Commerce Committee members to explain the situation. However, when asked what these meetings have produced so far, Hewitt declined to answer. In addition, Hewitt declined to comment on whether he had asked distributors to speed their comments to the Hill to try to make an impact before Congress recesses in October. DirecTv, NDS Sue Hacker Newsletter DirecTv and NDS Americas, its security vendor, this week filed a piracy-related lawsuit against the owner of the oldest and most well-known hacker newsletter. The suit, filed in federal court in eastern Michigan, names Dan Morgan, owner of Satellite Watch News, and Morgan's companies as defendants. DirecTv and NDS allege the defendants "individually and in conspiracy with others, have engaged in repeated illegal and improper acts, practices and schemes to defraud [DirecTv and NDC] of subscription and pay-per-view revenues and other valuable consideration." Specifically, the suit alleges the defendants import and distribute hacked DirecTv/USSB security cards, accept advertisements for hacked devices, publishe evaluations of hacker products, and assist others in selling the modified cards. The suit also alleges Morgan produced and distributed a video, called "Pirate Video IX," showing how security cards can be modified. The suit asks the court to stop hacker ads from being published in the newsletter and for damages for each violation of law. The Satellite Watch Newsletter, which previously used the names The Black Box Newsletter and The Blank Box Newsletter, may be the oldest and most widely circulated hacker newsletter. Morgan could not be reached for comment. (click on the ad below to visit advertiser's web site) PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE   July 23 daily   July 25 daily         Please direct questions about this site to general.mail@satbiznews.com q 1999 Satellite Business News Inc. All rights reserved.