[ogWiFi] Public hotspot fined over illegal downloading by patron

[krishna e bera]

how similar is law in Canada?


----- Forwarded message from The SANS Institute <NewsBites at sans.org> -----

(November 27, 2009)
In a case believed to be the first of its kind, a UK pub has been fined
GBP 8,000 (US $13,000) because someone used its Wi-Fi hotspot to
download copyrighted content.  If the UK's Digital Economy Bill goes
into effect, similar cases could conceivably be prevented.  That bill
defines Wi-Fi hotspots as "public communications services," and says
that users are responsible for the activity on the connection, not the
connection's provider.  The bill is proving controversial, as it would
require Internet service providers (ISPs) to monitor customers' use of
their networks.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39909136,00.htm?tag=mncol;txt
http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk/news/wi-fi-security--home-nets-are-wide-open--pub-gets--8000-fine-2613
http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2254180/pub-fined-customer-uses-wi
[Editor's Note (Pescatore): Could you fine the pub if someone used a
payphone in the pub (OK, just pretend for a second that payphones still
exist) to make a threatening phone call?
(Schultz): This case is the first of its kind only in that it involves
an undefended wireless network. It is not novel from the standpoint that
it in effect amounts to another downstream liability case.
(Northcutt): It is neat being at SANS London 2009 and seeing a NewsBites
edition with so much UK information. This story about the pub being sued
is really important. It has the potential of drastically limiting the
number of open hot spots.  Infosec professionals on both sides of the
pond in organizations that offer or allow free hotspots should take
notice and bring it up with corporate counsel.]