"We Are Not Alone!"


Dear Readers and Visitors

The Satellite Watch News
"Keeping You Informed"


The following letter was received on March 25th, 1997.
YARMUTH WILSDON PLLC
3080 WASHINGTON MUTUAL TOWER
1201 THIRD AVENUE
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101-3000
Richard C. Yarmuth                                       
DIRECT DIAL: (206) 516-3870                          
(206) 516-3800
Fax (206)-516-3888

March 21, 1997


Certified Mail --
Return Receipt Requested

Daniel Morgan, Editor
Satellite Watch News
P.O. Box 475
Rose City, MI 48654

Re: Satellite Watch News

Dear Mr. Morgan:
    This law firm represents DIRECTV, Inc.; News Datacom Ltd.;
and News Datacom, Inc. in the investigation of and litigation
regarding unauthorized reception and use of DIRECTV satellite
television programming, including the development, manufacture,
distribution and sale of counterfeit DSS access products.

    A recent investigation has uncovered substantial evidence of
your involvement, through your publication and distribution of
Satellite Watch News and operation of the Internet site at "//i-
star.com/dmorgand/index.htm", in unlawful activity relating to
counterfeit DSS access products. Specifically, this evidence
indicates that you and Satellite Watch News have actively and
illegally assisted, aided and abetted the sale and use of
counterfeit access products by:

     (1)   publishing detailed information as to the operation of
           counterfeit DSS access products, including step-by-step
           procedures for reactivating or restoring the function
           of those illegal products following electronic
           countermeasures initiated by DIRECTV and News Datacom;

     (2)   vouching for the quality, reliability and performance
           of counterfeit DSS access products, including your
           publication of "product reviews" of those illegal
           products;

     (3)   intervening on behalf of users of counterfeit DSS
           access products, including publishing user complaints
           and "buyer beware" warnings, and contacting sellers of
           those illegal products regarding such complaints;

     (4)   publishing advertisements for counterfeit DSS access
           products, knowing that those illegal products were
           intended to facilitate the unauthorized reception and
           use of DIRECTV satellite television programming; and

     (5)   publishing Internet domain names, web site addresses
           and other information of material use to persons
           wishing to purchase and use counterfeit DSS access
           products.

Each of these activities is illegal and is forbidden by law. Federal statutes prohibit persons from selling or assisting in the sale of devices intended for the unauthorized interception of satellite television programming. See 47 U.S.C. Sec 605 and 18 U.S.C. Sec 2512. Federal (and comparable state) statutes also specifically prohibit the advertizing such illegal products. See 18 U.S.C. Sec 2512. Each of these activities carries substantial financial penalties, including statutory damages of $110,000 per violation, awards of legal and investigative expenses, and injunctive and compensatory relief.

In addition to the foregoing violations, it has also come to our attention that you and Satellite Watch News have had numerous communications with and received multiple shipments from known sellers of counterfeit DSS access products. The purchase, possession and use of such devices is strictly forbidden by law. See 47 U.S.C. Sec 605 and 18 U.S.C. Sec 2512. These communications and shipments are under investigation and could result in further legal action against you and Satellite Watch News.

Accordingly, DIRECTV and News Datacom demand that you and Satellite Watch News cease immediately any further participation in these illegal activities and in any and all additional activities relating to the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of coun'terfeit DSS access products.

Please contact us in writing within ten days of your receipt of this letter to inform us concerning your compliance with this demand and to schedule a meeting or other further communication, as necessary, to discuss DIRECTV's and News Datacom's complaints against you and Satellite Watch News.

These matters are important to DIRECTV and News Datacom, and they intend to pursue all available legal remedies against persons and businesses involved in DSS access card counterfeiting.

We look forward to your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Richard C. Yarmuth
STW/sw


We could have responded in kind, citing legal precedents, but we prefer, instead, to cite a most elegant source:

The Constitution of the United States of America
Amendment 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


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