Letter from ITV Digital regarding Piracy
s n u f f y
You may have read in TV7 and the newspapers about the recent arrival of
illegal ITV Digital
smartcards in the UK. As a valued customer of ITV Digital we wanted to take
this opportunity
to advise you of how we are dealing with piracy. If people try to sell you a
pirate smartcard or
you are aware of people knowingly using pirate smartcards, it would assist
us greatly if you
could forward to us any information that would assist in apprehending these
criminals.
Making or selling illegal smartcards is a criminal offence for which the
sentence can include a
jail term. It is also a criminal offence to use smartcards which are known
to be illegal. Those
who use counterfeits, whether they are DVDs, smartcards or software are not
only stealing
from the companies who are legally entitled to receive the revenues but are
also damaging
the interests of legitimate customers, who may well have to pay more as a
result of this.
The people behind piracy are often serious criminals, often linked to
organised crime and
serious criminal activity, including drug dealing. ITV Digital seeks to
investigate and prosecute
anyone involved in piracy, from the manufacturer to the user.
We have a range of measures to deal with this. A sophisticated intelligence
system monitors
all the methods used to distribute pirate smartcards. We are working with
different agencies,
including the police, and we raid premises where we believe cards are
manufactured, stored,
sold or being used. We also use electronic counter measures which will stop
illegal cards
working and disrupt the viewing of anyone using them. We can also, if
appropriate,
withdraw all existing cards and replace them with cards which the pirates
will be unable to
copy.
Recently we have made a number of successful raids, and every time we do, we
immediately
seize computers, and all other evidence which often give us access to lists
of names, addresses,
email addresses and other details of those involved in this criminal
activity and those
purchasing these cards.
Anyone who thinks they may inadvertently have a pirate card has a chance to
put it right. If
they call us on 0870 600 7676 and their card turns out to be illegal we'll
substitute it for a
genuine card and a proper subscription, no questions asked.
Signed by the Call Centre Manager
--
Anyone else received this?
chris
"s n u f f y" <crus...@recyclable.bottle> wrote in message
news:fUrI7.3140$k55.1...@monolith.news.easynet.net...
<snipped>
> Anyone who thinks they may inadvertently have a pirate card has a chance
to
> put it right. If
> they call us on 0870 600 7676 and their card turns out to be illegal we'll
> substitute it for a
> genuine card and a proper subscription, no questions asked.
Did anyone else read that as "please give us some money, we're fucked here!"
groovybaby
news:fUrI7.3140$k55.1...@monolith.news.easynet.net...
Yes. Does this mean folk receiving this letter have been rumbled?
Dr Zoidberg
"groovybaby" <groov...@groovybaby.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1005735763.6975.0...@news.demon.co.uk...
Nope, mailshot to everyone
--
Alex
"I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away"
Eddie
just that I have a sub with ITV Digital and I've not received this letter,
well not yet anyway!.
"s n u f f y" <crus...@recyclable.bottle> wrote in message
news:fUrI7.3140$k55.1...@monolith.news.easynet.net...
Eddie
"Nick" <nickm...@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:jvv4vtkqe8ikf4vea...@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 13:55:16 -0000, "Eddie"
> <eddiemu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >When did you receive this letter?. Has anyone else had this letter?. It's
> >just that I have a sub with ITV Digital and I've not received this
letter,
> >well not yet anyway!.
>
> Got one this morning.
>
> --Nick.
> --
> icq: 9235201 -- Fax: (0) 7971 212959 - United Kingdom
> http://www.blackstar.co.uk/scp/id/what - Want videos?
> www.whatisthematrix.org.uk -- Touché mon Williamson -
Sponix
wrote:
>> Yes. Does this mean folk receiving this letter have been rumbled?
>
>Nope, mailshot to everyone
I didn't receive one and neither did any of my colleagues..
What is the point of ITV Dig sending semi-threatening letters to it's
legitimate subscribers? After all the people on the ITV Digital
customer database are in fact legitimate paying customers!
It's possible that they have "gleaned" an alternative customer
database from somewhere and are indeed giving people a chance to go
straight..
Brian McIlwrath
: It's possible that they have "gleaned" an alternative customer
: database from somewhere and are indeed giving people a chance to go
: straight..
It is much more likely that either your letter is in the post or that they
are using obvious criteria - for example 6-channel non-premium subscribers
who have never bought a PPV film!
mike
news:9su2au$p...@newton.cc.rl.ac.uk:
I took out OnDigital about 16 months ago through a BT offer
and sent the box back and cancelled the contract the day after
it arrived as I couldn't get it to work with my building's
communal arial. I got one of those letters too this morning
(London). I like the bit where it says, "As a valued
customer,". They keep sending me that stupid magazine too.
(I wonder if the box is still downstairs with the porter?)
Mike
Noel Hennessy
"Eddie" <eddiemu...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1005749645.14173....@news.demon.co.uk...
> What part of the country?. North or South?
>
> "Nick" <nickm...@spamcop.net> wrote in message
> news:jvv4vtkqe8ikf4vea...@4ax.com...
> > On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 13:55:16 -0000, "Eddie"
> > <eddiemu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >When did you receive this letter?. Has anyone else had this letter?.
It's
> > >just that I have a sub with ITV Digital and I've not received this
> letter,
> > >well not yet anyway!.
> >
> > Got one this morning.
> >
I didn't and I subscribe to all but the adult channels. I know someone with
pre pay 6 channels who did.
Maybe those who got the letter could confirm they are prepay customers? It
could be a measure to prevent people keeping the box after the prepay period
has expired and using a pirate card.
Regards,
--
Noel Hennessy
ICQ: 33472345
Eddie
ebay!. You could make yourself a few quid and ITV would be none the
wiser.... ^:-D
"mike" <mi...@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:9su6d4$15bv92$1...@ID-14747.news.dfncis.de...
Dr Zoidberg
> I didn't and I subscribe to all but the adult channels. I know someone
with
> pre pay 6 channels who did.
>
> Maybe those who got the letter could confirm they are prepay customers? It
> could be a measure to prevent people keeping the box after the prepay
period
> has expired and using a pirate card.
>
prepay here.
Never had a single PPV so I guess I'm more suspect.
Derek Fitzpatrick
"Noel Hennessy" <henn...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1005762549.21365....@news.demon.co.uk...
subscription to FTA channels only. We only have it so my wife can watch Home
And Away as we cannot get good C5 reception on analogue where we live, I
think that 10p a day is a small price to pay to keep her quite for half an
hour a day:-)
Derek..
David Wade
"Dr Zoidberg" <alex...@cwcom.net> wrote in message
news:100578029...@hebe.uk.clara.net...
>
> > I didn't and I subscribe to all but the adult channels. I know someone
> with
> > pre pay 6 channels who did.
> >
Folks,
Now had two letters one r.e. my IDTV and one r.e. my pre-pay box from COMET.
Both are on
all Primary Channels. Can't buy Pay-Per-View on the IDTV. Have used it once
on the pre-pay box...
Did have the two sky movie channels for a while way back but never watched
anything so cancelled...
too busy doing other things.
I suppose I could be targeted as I don't have Sky Sport and don't want it. I
am a real boring sod and only like Snooker and
Formula I, so there is no way I would pay for the odd snooker game I
miss.....
However I suspect that are mass mailing every one, and I think we will all
get a letter soon....
Dave.
I Brown
> subscription to FTA channels only. We only have it so my wife can watch Home
> And Away as we cannot get good C5 reception on analogue where we live, I
> think that 10p a day is a small price to pay to keep her quite for half an
> hour a day:-)
> Derek..
I got one. I am a genuine subscriber and do not have a pirate card. I
subscribe to the 3 pound a month for all primary, and ITV Sport and
aoocasionally ordr PPV but I still got one.
I presume its probably just random. Maybe its users of this newsgroup, whcih
would be unfair as I use it for news and latest developments in ITV digi and
NOT for pirate cards
Like the new monkey ads by the way!!
I Brown
--
Posted from [63.251.201.164]
via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG
Brian McIlwrath
: I got one. I am a genuine subscriber and do not have a pirate card. I
: subscribe to the 3 pound a month for all primary, and ITV Sport and
: aoocasionally ordr PPV but I still got one.
You don't get any of "all primary and ITV Sport" for £3/month!!!
Martin Imber
Never do PPV (CAM)
However I was loan box until CAM arrived - card lives in TV use box for
videoing.
Ian Brown
news:9t08vo$17...@newton.cc.rl.ac.uk...
Perhaps you read wrong or more probably, perhaps I wrote wrong.
I get all primaries for 3 pound a month and pay 6.99 for ITV sport and
occasionally 2.99 for PPV films (and even more occasioannly 3.99 ;-D)
I hope that is all cleared up!
Brian McIlwrath
: I get all primaries for 3 pound a month and pay 6.99 for ITV sport and
: occasionally 2.99 for PPV films (and even more occasioannly 3.99 ;-D)
: I hope that is all cleared up!
I have worked it out! You pay £3 month PLUS the cost of a PrePay STB (divided
by 12) to get all Primary channels.
Derek Fitzpatrick
"I Brown" <iibr...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:595f9217c2b872f137d...@mygate.mailgate.org...
now it is difficult to sort the wheat from the cheats. The main beneficiary
from the ITV letter must be the cardsharps as everyone now knows that that
pirate cards are available from their local drug dealer.
Derek.
Mike Plowman
<iibr...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>> I was a prepay customer until my year ran out in October when I changed my
>> subscription to FTA channels only. We only have it so my wife can watch Home
>> And Away as we cannot get good C5 reception on analogue where we live, I
>> think that 10p a day is a small price to pay to keep her quite for half an
>> hour a day:-)
>> Derek..
>
>
>
>I got one. I am a genuine subscriber and do not have a pirate card. I
>subscribe to the 3 pound a month for all primary, and ITV Sport and
>aoocasionally ordr PPV but I still got one.
I got one today too. Have a pukka card and have done since day one but
am only on the basic 6 channels. Had the full primary package for the
first year but found we never watched most of them. (I mean, Carlton
Food???)
I'd love them to turn up and smash the door down though, I could
really do with a wodge full of compensation.:-)
>I presume its probably just random. Maybe its users of this newsgroup, whcih
>would be unfair as I use it for news and latest developments in ITV digi and
>NOT for pirate cards
>
>Like the new monkey ads by the way!!
Aren't they just the greatest ads. I'm a big Johnny Vegas fan anyway.
Someone should really write a spin off series for him and monkey.
--
Mike Plowman
Coronation Street Visual Updates - www.csvu.net
"There was life before Coronation Street,
but it didn't amount to much." Russell Harty
Ant
Tim
Brian McIlwrath wrote in message <9t08vo$17...@newton.cc.rl.ac.uk>...
You do if you've bought a prepay6 system including ITV Sport - then you
certainly can take advantage of al primary and ITV Sport for £3/month
Eddie
still haven't had a letter!. I must write to ITV and complain.... ^:-D
"Nick" <nickm...@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:1us5vt4al542bn7hr...@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:50:49 -0000, "Eddie"
> <eddiemu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >What part of the country?. North or South?
>
> South, in Kent.
>
> I'm one of their £3/month subscribers.
Colin
Regards
Colin.
david
> Ummh......I live in Kent aswell..... I pay ITV Digital £21.99/month and I
> still haven't had a letter!. I must write to ITV and complain.... ^:-D
>
I thought I was not getting one but it as now arrived, so think all getting
them.
But those who did not know about Pirate cards do now.
Hope ITVdigi have not shot themselves in the foot!
The letter says that sending new cards out will cure the problem, so do it
ITVdigi. When I was with Sky I think there were 13 issues of cards.
--
Regards,
David
Eddie
secondary school kid could do it!. I'm really not surprised that ITV Digital
isn't making any money.....
As I see it, there are only two ways to cure the problem. Either ITV need to
change there security, by changing the encryption method, re-issuing cards,
whatever. Or the government could in some way incorporate ITV Digital in to
the existing tv licensing system. This would mean that ITV Digital could
then start sending out detector vans looking for people who haven't paid a
subscription to ITV Digital.
As someone recently pointed out on this forum, it is (supposedly) very easy
to detect digital boxes using an RF Radio Scanner. All that is now required
is a change in the law. If Tony & Co have got involved, a change in the law
is not impossible. Remember RAILTRACK!.
"david" <da...@npark.takeout.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:9t39qk$k03$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
amr
> As someone recently pointed out on this forum, it is (supposedly) very
easy
> to detect digital boxes using an RF Radio Scanner. All that is now
required
> is a change in the law. If Tony & Co have got involved, a change in the
law
> is not impossible. Remember RAILTRACK!.
>
administration. They used the Railways Act which was created by the tories
when privatisation first happened as Railtrack had given over a 100 million
pounds of tax payers money directly to share holders in dividends when they
knew it should have gone into fixing up the network. Then they came back
for more money and the removal of the regulatory framework!
Mark
Eddie
administration (I have shares in Railtrack!). I was mearly using it as an
example, a warning, of what COULD happen if the government becomes
involved.....ie: Government involvement being a bad thing.....
"amr" <a...@spamgenie.co.uk> wrote in message news:1006117228.7831.1@eurus...