Set top boxes

S

Saint Helena

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Multichoice are taking me to court for selling a couple of Android set.top.boxes which had an app.to.pick.up UK free to.air channels, what is legal.position.here? Apparently for.importing a few boxes.from.UK I needed type a approval.
 
Saint Helena said:
Multichoice are taking me to court for selling a couple of Android set.top.boxes which had an app.to.pick.up UK free to.air channels, what is legal.position.here? Apparently for.importing a few boxes.from.UK I needed type a approval.
Click to expand...

Did you meet the person face to face and showed them how to access these channels? Did you have it pre-installed on your boxes?
 
MC agent bought boxes, entrapment, and there was raid at.my.home with.no.search warrant
 
Yup, happened to AvSupply as well, IIRC at the end of the day the boxes were just confiscated, the criminal charges were just intimidation tactics. If I were you, lawyer up, and don't take any **** from them.
 
Did they steal your space bar as well. Just kidding

Yeah I think you seriously need a lawyer
 
You need a lawyer who is conversant with Multichoice's Ts&Cs. If you have not transgressed any of these rules, they are trying to intimidate you. There is no law on the statute books which states it is illegal to import them.

If an illegal search was conducted in your house, you are entitled to sue, but be careful of how they gained entry. If you held open the door and invited them it, then there is no case

However, to resell ANY communications equipment in SA to the public, the device must be approved by ICASA, a long and expensive process, costing about R60k for the tests and stuff
 
I still don't get how MC are involved in this. It is not their job to police broadcast piracy not directly related to their own platforms/products. Unless your boxes somehow allowed people to access DSTV they really have no business nosing around your business imo.
 
R13... said:
I still don't get how MC are involved in this. It is not their job to police broadcast piracy not directly related to their own platforms/products. Unless your boxes somehow allowed people to access DSTV they really have no business nosing around your business imo.
Click to expand...
Well, any Web based service is a threat to them, so they'll try mitigate the threat (whether is legal or not)

But instead of targeting people selling DVD'S at the traffic lights, they prefer going after small business owners
 
chrisc4290 said:
However, to resell ANY communications equipment in SA to the public, the device must be approved by ICASA, a long and expensive process, costing about R60k for the tests and stuff
Click to expand...

Where do you get R60K from?

Was R4000 per model last time I checked.
 
Aah Multichoice up to their tricks again. Its no wonder people are dumping them, because of their crap content anyway
 
So if you install a completely legal app like filmon then they can confiscate your property and lay criminal charges.
 
You need about half-a-million Rand available as a retainer for your lawyer and going to legal-aid won't help if you earning an income that exceeds R4500 per month. Just settle out of court - admission of guilt and to never ever sell such devices like those again. It's going to be a long hurdle and whatever you don't cave in... Intimidation will definitely happen.

With regards to MonoChoice they did employ someone full-time, he/she is doing her job. They have ShowMon and don't like competition
 
Saint Helena said:
That means a criminal record for what?
Click to expand...
If we look at the AvSupply case, there won't be one. Just intimidation tactics, don't give in to their legal shyte, it's intended to scare others away from bringing in STB'S, and reduce their workload by trying to get you to admit to something you didn't do.
 
Saint Helena said:
Trial is later this yr plea bargain or take them on?
Click to expand...
Depends on the plea bargain, if it involves any criminal charges tell them to GTFO, if it involves confiscation of the equipment, compare it's cost to the cost of legal fees and make your decision.

By the way, who is prosecuting? The state or Multichoice?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X