OTTAWA – The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) on Monday praised the RCMP for arresting and charging a male in the Township of Hatley, Quebec last Tuesday with theft of satellite signals and possession of equipment used to intercept satellite signals.
The search conducted by members of the Estrie Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the residence of the alleged offender led to the seizure of cash, a vehicle and unauthorized devices. The Township of Hatley is in Estrie, Quebec.
“This investigation is aimed at establishing that the suspect, who operates a computer business, imported and sold satellite piracy equipment. The man is also alleged to have modified satellite receivers for the purpose of illegally intercepting signals,” stated a media release issued by the RCMP. “Information indicates that he rented post office boxes where he received the equipment and decoders that were offered for sale on the Internet. The alleged offender is also believed to have operated an Internet site hosting a chatroom where users shared tips on satellite signal piracy.”
The search was a result of a joint effort by the the RCMP, Industry Canada, the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association, Bell ExpressVu and Canada Post.
“The CAB is pleased to see the on-going efforts by the RCMP to address this serious growing illegal activity that takes over hundreds of million of dollars a year from the Canadian broadcasting system, from artists, writers, copyright holders, programmers and broadcasters,” said CAB President and CEO Glenn O’Farrell.
“Enforcement is only part of the solution. The CAB, on behalf of its members, has repeatedly requested that the federal government amend the Radiocommunication Act to increase penalties for these crimes,” added O’Farrell.
