Canada's law tighten to tackle satellite piracy

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The Canadian federal government is planning to tighten the laws to combat piracy of satellite television signals. The government will propose amendments to the Radiocommunication Act to make life more difficult for people who use illegal systems to capture signals for free or decode US satellite signals coming into Canada.

The changes will be designed to control imports of equipment, by explicitly prohibiting the import of decoder boxes used to pick up satellite signals illegally, increase the maximum penalties for signal theft and strengthen the right of Canadian broadcasters to take legal action against anyone who sells illegal equipment and services.

Satellite service providers Bell ExpressVu LP -owned by BCE Inc- and Star Choice -owned by Shaw Communications Inc- have been fighting a long battle against those who use illegal satellite systems. The industry has launched lawsuits in Ontario and Quebec to try to shut down dealers who sell illegal receiving equipment.