MLB TV PROXY SEVERS _ LEGALITY

[agchris02]

Yes, this works, see the above post

1)MASKING YOUR IP ADDRESS IS A FELONY

2)WATCHING BLACKED OUT GAMES IN YOUR HOME TOWN BY MASKING YOUR IP ADDRESS IS A FELONY -- thats stealing copywrighted material


Will you get caught, probably not. But posting instructions on how to do it in a public form IS NOT A SMART THING TO DO.

People DO get caught for this, you can get HUGE fines, minor jail time, and really screw up your life, I wouldnt suggest it -- those local games that are blacked out....well just listen on the radio while watching a differant game.


And as to the ranger games --- EVERY ranger game is aired on local cable -- you can even pick it up with an antenna, so unless you dont have a TV, this REALLY makes no sense

[beltrans_boy]

Good post.

[agchris02]

2nd -- have i done it, of course I have, I wanted to see if it worked

Do I do it anymore.....no (particularly in grad school now, that could really screw things up)

bottom line, its easier to get caught doing this than scamming mp3s, MUCH easier -- they have youre contact info through your bill

Its just not a smart decision

[bd3521]

Using proxy servers is NOT illegal.

On the otherhand, using a proxy is "forbidden"/illegal for masking your IP in the MLB .TV TOS (Terms of service).

BIG difference.

[agchris02]

actually, if you are masking your IP address for anything outside private reasons (such as something as sending annonoymous email), it is illegal -- Im quite sure of this as Ive recently covered a class on exactly this subject.

Masking your IP address to purchashe something through the mail -- Illegal

Masking your IP address to gain access to copyrighted material -- illegal

Basically, if you mask your IP address to do anything questionable, it is its own crime, which you can be independently charged with. Most likely you'll be, IF YOU GET CAUGHT, charged with multiple things, in this case, stealing copywrighted material, and fradulantly concealing your identity using a public medium (aka internet -- basically the same as mail fraud)


But, arguments aside, you shouldnt be doing this

[agchris02]

One other note on this

Using a proxy server is a bad way to attempt to mask your IP address -- it'll fool the end server (aka MLB TV), but if they want to track you down, they can still trace the route and prove it was you

TRULY hiding your IP addresses is quite difficult (though a fun exercise if you like computers)

[Amazinz]

Masking your IP is perfectly legal. Obviously using it for illegal purposes is illegal. Just like it's legal to drive a car but not as the getaway man in a bank robbery.

[agchris02]

Maybe i wasnt entirely clear in my explination,

masking your ip address for an illeagl action is actually a seperate offense than the illegal activity itself -- so you get charged with two or more things

Kind of like if youre driving drunk at 19, with a beer in your hand -- DUI, and MIP

[bellings]

When did using a proxy server become a seperate offense? Was it part of the DMCA?

Also, I'm assuming that you need to enter your subscription info to get access to the games. It seems like it would be REALLY easy for MLB TV to catch people, because their tech people should be able to determine that the IP that is matched with your subscription info is a proxy server. Even if that isn't illegal, you are still breaking the contract, and it's a good way for them to cancel your service and keep your money.

[toofunnyy]

Uhh, MLB isn't going to go after you. They aren't going to turn you over to the feds.

WORST case, they close your account. You obviously have no clue about internet crimes, hacking, laws.

For the FBI to even look at a case, there has to b e $5000+ in damages. That's to even look at it. If MLB went to the FBI and said joe smuck is watching brewer games from home with a proxy, they would laugh in MLB's face.

Not to mention the bad press of jailing some dude for watching a "blacked out" game from his computer (paying legally for the service I might add). With steroids, that's all MLB needs. Lets sue customers! Who aren't making any money off it, and probably not even hurting any.

Again, use a proxy for MLB all you want. You get caught, they shut your account down. They WILL NOT prosecute you. You have to be an utter moron to believe that they will. MLB is quite happy to have people paying 17+ bucks a month to watch tv on their computer.

Lastly, it's quite easy to track proxy usage. In fact, a 5-6 year old kid could probably handle the job. If magically you're connecting from Korea, but gee your billing address is Milwaukee! Wow sometihng is up! You can find the physical location for IPs easily, and if MLB wanted they could easily become nazi's and suspend accounts all over.

Infact, they want more customers, not to witch hunt down people. Now if you're selling games, re-broadcasting, then yes, you will get nailed like a school girl. But using a simple proxy to watch your home team isn't going to land you in jail. If MLB found 3,000+ brewer fans watching from their comp with a proxy, then yes they might shut down accounts or send out mean warnings. They want people in the park. BUT baseball won't, and never will, go charge someone for doing it. 1000s of people do it, it's easy to detect, yet no one has been charged? MLB isn't stupid.

So relax and stop trying to scare people.