Ahouxc.195
net.followup
utzoo!decvax!harpo!npois!houxi!houxc!ad7i
Tue Apr 27 12:43:56 1982
Watch it... Gifts are everywhere
With the recent discussion of Personal Sat Receiving
Stations I can't help but submit a letter that was printed
in Electronic Design, September 30, 1981 issue.
Trespassing signals make great gift
------------------------------------
Regarding unauthorized reception of subscription TV or any other
signal: It is obvious that I cannot intercept such a signal unless
it impinges on my property. Either the signal belongs to the
originator or it does not. If it does not, then the originator has
no complaint coming if I do intercept it, and no complaint if I do
anything at all further with it.
If the originator does complain, he evidently beleives that the
signal belongs to him. But then, his signal has impinged on my
property without my permission. The signal then must be considered
either a trespass or an unsolicited gift.
If a trespass, then the signal originator will be respoinsible for
removing his signal from my property, something that he would be
most unwilling to do: As a trespasser, he presumably is
responsible for any damage that his signal might cause. At
present, interaction is apparent between the brain and low-level RF
signals, but just what this interaction is, has not been determined.
The origninator would have to prove that his signals do no harm.
This leaves the only possible interpretation: The signal is an
unsolicited gift, in which case I have a perfect right to intercept
and use the signal. If I have a right to intercept and use the
signal, then by logical extension I have the right to purchase
equipment to do this. In addition, a supplier has a right to sell
me this equipment, since it is not harmful in itself (and is, in
fact, the same equipment that the signal originator wants me to pay
to use). And some manufacturer has the right, so long as he does
not violate patent and trade-secret laws, to make such equipment for
the supplier.
Which leaves the irate signal with both feet firmly plated in the
ether.
Yale Jan Lubkin
Director of Engineering
Ben Franklin Industries, Ltd.
Casey Creek, KY 42723
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