Is it illegal to bring DTV systems in to Canada?

[Cnadian]

I was wondering if it is illegal now to bring a reciever from Montana to British Columbia.... Will I get in trouble at the border?

[nitrolife]

Since it's now illegal to even own one........what do you think lol.

[kalyna]

Actually, its illegal to decrypt....

Getting the preview channels is not illegal in Canada

Kalyna

[Cnadian]

I know its illegal to hack dtv now but can I still bring them into Canada?

[blue boat]

cnadian

i have not brought any over myself, but if you look at some of the court rulings you will see this.

A police witnesses said it is not illegal to bring a satellite system from the U.S. into Canada, so long as duty was paid, nor is it illegal for individuals to sell systems to one another.

blue boat

[Cnadian]

OK thanks for the info blue boat.

[sugar ray]

actually i have a good buddy that is a canada custom's officer. he mentioned that it is NO problem to bring them across as long as they are UNDER a comercial volume amount. anything over 10 units is considered commercial. so basicly you can bring up to 9 units back and as long as you claim your duty, no problems.


what i may PERSONALLY be concerned about (just MY opinion) is that NOW it is a so called NO-NO in canada to be playing with DSS. when and IF they start busting and raiding canadians, by claiming your systems your leaving a paper trail. any time you claim an item into canada you have to give them your name,adress,etc.............

[mlmanning]

Court to decide fate of 'smart card' accused
Three men were charged with possessing and offering for sale devices that could aid individuals to receive satellite signals

By Steve MacInnis
Cape Breton Post

It is the latest development in a criminal case that began last October in Glace Bay involving both Canadian and American companies and just how some people tap into satellite television.

Provincial court Judge Peter Ross recently ruled that Basil Chronis, of Marconi Street, in Glace Bay, must forfeit numerous "smart cards" seized by RCMP during a raid last fall.

Chronis, who is facing trial on charges under the Radiocommunications Act and the Criminal Code, is among three men charged after police raided their premises.

Each were charged with possessing and offering for sale devices that could aid individuals to receive satellite signals without having to pay the authorized companies licensed to carry such signals.

One of the men has already pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $2,900.

The trial for a second accused, Thomas Hector Jessome, 46, of Burton Road, Blacketts Lake, is slated for Nov. 26 while Chronis is scheduled back in court July 17 for Charter arguments and, pending the outcome of those arguments, for trial on Oct. 21.

In his decision, Ross said the cards that have the logo from California based DIRECTV on them should be returned to that company. Cards that cannot be identified must be forfeited to the Crown.

The smart cards - about the size of a standard credit card - are key components to receiving a satellite signal and at the time of seizure, police made a distinction between items used to capture American programming and those used for Canadian programming.

In Canada, there are two licensed satellite distributors - Bell ExpressVu and Star Choice. In the United States, there are DIRECTV and Dishnet.

Ross noted in his decision that it was clear Chronis was in the business of programming the American cards for local customers to aid them in picking up satellite signals from one of the two U.S. distributors.

In testimony, Chronis admitted he purchased 50 cards from an individual in Toronto for $75 each while smaller numbers of the cards were bought locally.

The card can be purchased from retail outlets as part of the receiving equipment or from people who have canceled their subscription to the licensed supplier. The cards are not transferable.

Another man testified at the hearing he was prepared to offer Chronis $40 to $50 (US) for unmodified cards seized by police which he planed to sell over the Internet.

A police witnesses said it is not illegal to bring a satellite system from the U.S. into Canada, so long as duty was paid, nor is it illegal for individuals to sell systems to one another.

Ross said the real value of the cards rests in the capability to decode the signal which represents potential revenue to distributors like DIRECTV.

"On the other hand, customers who use modified cards, without permission of a licensed distributor, acquire something of value for which they do not pay," he said.

He said by turning over the unmodified cards to Chronis who in turn would sell them to another, it is likely the cards would be modified to secure a satellite signal.

Further, he said, selling the cards on the Internet in no way prevents the items from being brought back into Canada.

"The return of the seized smart cards to Mr. Chronis and the subsequent sale of these items to persons unknown, as he proposes, would provide a clear opportunity for persons to unlawfully decode subscription programming in violation of the Radiocommunications Act," ruled the judge.

[gunsmoke2]

Each were charged with possessing and offering for sale devices that could aid individuals to receive satellite signals without having to pay the authorized companies licensed to carry such signals.


You are not allowed to pay companies such as DTV & Echo so what's the difference... There are no authorized licensed companies for those signals


A police witnesses said it is not illegal to bring a satellite system from the U.S. into Canada, so long as duty was paid, nor is it illegal for individuals to sell systems to one another.


Oh maybe the police witnesses can testify to that at my appeal so I can get all my equipement back. :R


I personally would not recommend using that statement as a guideline as being accurate on the law.


GS2

[StarVu]

Custom's officer's here have still not recevieved any directives as to the new changes....just pay the PST and GST and you fine you can even give a phony name..........