FTA illegal?

[Birbao]

I'm confused about the Supreme Court sellout...I mean, ruling. Is FTA (on C-band and Ku-band) affected, too?

I never saw any references to it in the newspapers yet I see a few messages in this and other forums saying it is.

Can someone shed some light on this? I'm talking only about the satellite channels which are in the clear. Not the encrypted ones. Just the ones in the clear.

[Birbao]

well, is it? :)

[gunsmoke2]

No its not illegal because its not encrypted



GS2

[tarnat]

what about satellite radio?? xm radio or sirius?
I would say these are not regular radio signals so would be encrypted.
any opinion?

[amex97]

Sirius is in consultations with the Canadian Government. The frequency is currently allocated to the military which further clouds the issue. I'm not sure if XM is talking to the government or not...

Going on the Corus, Alliance Atlantus, Bell etc track record I would guess there will be screams of protest from the Canadian Broadcasting Cartel at any suggestion of possible approval. They will probably want "Snow Bird" played on all 100 channels 24 hours a day for it to go through.

[Birbao]

I remember reading on another forum that the XM radio signals (and Galaxy) are in the clear for some strange reason. I don't know if it's true.

If it is, my prediction is no one will care unless the free reception is by thousands like DirecTV and Dish in Canada. Once it's wide spread, and $$$ become an issue, then the poo will hit the fan.