DISH Gets Its Apology

[tomcat01]

Back in late August we reported a significant victory for the DISH Network and the DBS platform’s security provider, NagraStar, as the duo won a mega ($106 million total) judgment against “free-to-air” provider Freetech. Freetech, as you might recall, was snatching the DISH signal and redistributing it – at significant profit – via its receivers.

The U.S. District Court of Northern California didn’t think too much of that and slapped a $97 million judgment against Freetech, $3 million against each of its three top officers plus it barred the company from reopening operations anywhere in the world. But money doesn’t always drive the point home. DISH wanted an apology as well.

Says DISH lawyer in the case, Chad Hagan of the Houston law firm Hagan Noll & Boyle, LLC, DISH hopes that any other would-be pirates “will see this and it will be a reminder that DISH is out there and will come after people” who try to steal its signal

So here you have it, folks ... fresh off the multiple-signing PR machine ... the official Freetech apology to DISH:

"Freetech, Inc., the South San Francisco based importer and distributer of the Coolsat line of Free-to-Air Satellite receivers announces that it will dissolve and cease operations as part of its agreement to resolve a lawsuit filed by DISH Network, EchoStar Technologies and NagraStar (collectively "DISH Network"). DISH Network filed suit against Freetech in December of 2007 asserting that Coolsat receivers were primarily designed and used for the piracy of DISH Network's satellite television programming. Freetech acknowledges that Coolsat receivers were used for this purpose and apologizes for any harm caused to DISH Network. As part of the resolution of the lawsuit, the Court entered a consent judgment finding in favor of DISH Network, EchoStar and NagraStar in the aggregate amount of $106,000,000.00 and entering a permanent injunction against Freetech and its officers and certain employees. Freetech has also agreed to cooperate with DISH Network in its current and future anti-piracy actions."•

[Victor Hugo]

Thanks For The Information Tomcat.

[fossil112]

all they need to do is "sell" their manufacturing rights to an off shore "vendor" and they're back in business. heck, they can sell it to anyone not affiliated with Freetech, and get it back up and running in the US, or simply move it off shore...which they probably should have done in the first place.

[refillfun]

Ouch""""anyone got any salt......

[SatelliteJunkie]

I think that was the last nail in the coffin for CoolSat.

[tiger-55]

Wow need to be careful.............

[raen_rfm]

I'd hate to say it but this sets a big precident for any other FTA manufacturer/importer. You can bet that Echostar will be going after others based on the success of this suit.

[Seahawk]

I think dn is tryng tp put more salsa to the taco, and i think they are tryng to scare to everybody, to get an apology is like if they cacht somebody stilling signal they will send tto wash the dishes beside the charge he must pay in court, is crazy.

[Knee Dragger]

money all spent....just file for bankruptcy and re-open under a new name...down the street.

[creativegenius]

They may have 'won' a judgement, but, have they collected any of it?

The text above also outlines that the primary use of Coolsat FTA unit's were to steal signal ... I'm pretty sure that is not accurate. Is the primary use of Baking Soda to make crack or to keep the inside of your fridge and cat box from smelling?

Creative Genius

[SoDarkTheCon]

The lawsuit sets a precedent against signal piracy. Regarding the actual collection of money in the lawsuit being paid is a non factor, the ruling in favor of DISH is a major win for them in itself. It ends coolsat and will likely soon end a few more. If you are in the business of selling a product that is not known to be 100% for legal use... you would have to insure your product is protected legally. This victory is will start up many like it in the future. Distrubtion of these receivers needs to be better thought out, or we will all be watching black screens soon enough.

[many110]

Originally Posted by raen_rfm

I'd hate to say it but this sets a big precident for any other FTA manufacturer/importer. You can bet that Echostar will be going after others based on the success of this suit.

You have to remember that the true "last nail" that sealed the coffin of Viewtech was when back in the beginning of NAG2 days, they were the first (I believe) to offer the support for the card reader, which would allow you to use DN"s property to gain access to there network. How could anyone explain there way out of that?!!!

[tomcat01]

actually it was not viewtech at all bud it was coolsat that aux the card reader for 102 cards viewtech did nothing with cards they have a card reader too but has never been used

[mkb1273]

Originally Posted by many110

You have to remember that the true "last nail" that sealed the coffin of Viewtech was when back in the beginning of NAG2 days, they were the first (I believe) to offer the support for the card reader, which would allow you to use DN"s property to gain access to there network. How could anyone explain there way out of that?!!!

i think that was coolsat bud,viewtech was the first cardless solution.

[many110]

Originally Posted by tomcat01

actually it was not viewtech at all bud it was coolsat that aux the card reader for 102 cards viewtech did nothing with cards they have a card reader too but has never been used

Originally Posted by mkb1273

i think that was coolsat bud,viewtech was the first cardless solution.

My mistake. I meant to say "Freetech" instead of "Viewtech". "FREETECH" is what this thread is about it was just a type-o.

[desan]

Thanks comcat for the info