Pennsylvania Hackers Targeted by DirecTV

[Gregg Lengling]

It does not pay to be a provider of hacked satellite TV access cards ... and it now may not be worth the trouble for viewers to obtain illegal satellite TV reception devices.

Last week, DirecTV filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court against 22 Pennsylvania individuals the company said were allegedly receiving the satellite TV service through illegitimate means.

The lawsuits targeting the viewers seek damages of $10,000 to $100,000 for each violation of the law. According to sources, the defendants were identified through records obtained in a search of several companies which allegedly sold reprogrammed access cards or equipment that can illegally intercept satellite TV signals.

DirecTV's Robert Mercer said the company has filed hundreds of legal actions against users of signal theft equipment during the past year.

The lawsuits follow litigation filed in federal court in June seeking damages against seven other Pennsylvania residents, alleging they had purchased pirated access cards.