Blu-ray Disc theft becoming an issue, some retailers taking action
by Darren Murph 
posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 3:53PM
steal posts
Larcenists get a cheap Blu-ray player (the illegal way)
by Darren Murph posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 12:17PM
[Via CDFreaks]
Burglars break into restaurant, steal HDTV, leave money / food behind
by Darren Murph posted Oct 29th 2008 at 4:02PM
Not that we'd have any expert knowledge in the wide world of theft, but this just doesn't seem like the best way to go about snagging a new HDTV. At any rate, an undisclosed amount of thieves reportedly drove a truck (or large SUV... it was dark outside, okay?) into the front door of Los Tres Amigos restaurant in a small Pennsylvania town, broke the glass, ganked a 47-inch Insignia HDTV and "fled the scene." For starters, you'd risk prison for an Insignia? Really? Second, with LCD prices tanking like never before, don't you think you could've waited until Black Friday to get yourself a steal? Sigh.[Image courtesy of Hotel Interactive]
TV pirate gets 14 months in federal slammer for rebroadcasting DISH Network material
by Darren Murph posted Oct 21st 2008 at 10:27PM
If you really needed proof that the statement "crime doesn't pay" had at least a semblance of truth behind it, here's your sign. Known satellite TV pirate Glenn White has been sentenced to a 14 month stint in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally rebroadcasting DISH Network's programming. As the story goes, Mr. White was doing business in Wagram, North Carolina under the name Wagram Cable, but rather than distributing material in a legal manner, he chose to crack DISH's encryption and then monetize it. Big mistake. Oh, and DISH Network actually put this out on a press release in order to let the public know it "will continue to fight those who aid or participate in illegally breaking into encrypted DISH Network TV channels and set-top boxes." Don't say it didn't warn you.[Image courtesy of FlatPanelTV]
Former LG employee leaks $1b in top secret plasma info to Chinese manufacturer
by Darren Murph posted Mar 5th 2008 at 8:02PM
[Via The Raw Feed, image courtesy of RPG Classics]
RFID / RFA anti-piracy technology could hit optical media
by Darren Murph posted May 10th 2007 at 7:01AM
Utilizing RFID technology to defuse the threat of theft isn't a fresh idea, but NXP Semiconductors and Kestrel Wireless are looking to make good on the premise by cranking out an anti-theft solution that just might appear on the next DVD you buy. By combining NXP's RFID technology with Kestral's RFA (radio frequency activation), manufacturers could install a minuscule chip on the optical media at the beginning of the supply chain which would render it unplayable, but having it scanned at a checkout counter would enable a series of authentication checks to occur and eventually unlock the media for playback. While the scenario may sound convoluted, it could allow manufacturers to skimp on bulky, restrictive packaging, and moreover, it could be applied to other items in the consumer electronics universe in order to deter thieves from trying to swipe expensive handheld gizmos. Of course, we can already envision the complaints that are sure to arise from legitimate buyers bringing home a coaster if the activation process happens to fail, but apparently, both companies are already hard at work persuading studios to write 'em a check and get these things into stores.[Via Physorg]
