TORONTO – An alleged satellite pirate has been sentenced to three months in jail for contempt of court.
Troy Megill refuses to provide information about his activities, as ordered by the court, and was sentenced to three months in jail by the Ontario Superior Court for intentionally disobeying an Anton Piller order – civil search order – issued by the court, according to a press release.
In September 2006, EchoStar Communications and Bell ExpressVu (which uses near identical technology purchased from EchoStar), along with security partner NagraStar were part of several civil search and seizure raids. The companies conducted the raids on multiple businesses and individual residences including EZ123DISH which Megill owned and operated, said the release issued today by the three companies.
"Numerous unauthorized devices and free-to-air receivers used to circumvent the security of encrypted satellite signals were seized during the raids. In addition, Megill was ordered to grant access to his web sites and produce and disclose information about his business, including customer records and the identity of his suppliers. Megill refused to comply with the court order and was found in contempt for willfully thwarting the course of justice," says the release.
"In making the ruling, the judge stressed the importance of deterring satellite piracy and awarded the plaintiffs $72,500 for legal costs, although the tally could rise as the case continues.
"The companies view this result as a positive step in the effort to combat satellite piracy as they continue to fight those that aid or partake in the illegal interception of their signal," concludes the press release.
