Section (1201)(1)(a)
only applies if they can "prove" the case. Now I know you will say "But they have proven every case up until now". Now whether they have channels watched and so forth from this reseller panel remains to be seen. Maybe someone that actually has access to NFPS reseller panel can clear that up but if they do then all bets are off. Now the reason I say "prove" the case is because they could have proven section (1201)(2)(b) with just the knowledge of the fact that the defendant is in possession of a "code". But even that has loopholes. There was one member on these boards that stated he purchased the codes for a relative. So I have to ask you? Is he guilty under section (a)
or (b)? No of course he isn't guilty under section (a). Now while he
might be considered guilty under section (b) of being in possession of a "device" that has limited use he is
not guilty under section (a). For the simple fact that even with a reseller panel and i.p.'s and channels watched there would be NO evidence of him having used said code. Therefore there would be no
circumvention of technology that could have possibly taken place concerning his case.
But the simple fact remains that until which time you are in court (barring that they do not have channels watched from a reseller panel or forum posts) there is no way to prove section (1201)(1)(a) of the DMCA. While section (b) is a given before the ink was dry on the demand letter. So why go with section (a)? Why not just sue under the proper section of "possession"? Now I know you say one is for end users and one is for dealers I don't think that is entirely accurate. They are going to sue under ANY section they can get relief under. I don't believe the legislators had in mind one section pertaining to one type of criminal (YES I realize this is not criminal) while another section pertained to another.
Here is a court case against MS for misuse and misinterpretation of the DMCA section (1201)(1)(a):
Code:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2011/06/20/microsoft-misusing-copyright-law-in-xbox-antitrust-lawsuit-group-says/
Now if you read the correct interpretation of that section I still say (without channels viewed and forum posts) there is no way in hell to "prove" that. Now I know past history proves me wrong as they are getting judgement after judgement, but just because they are getting judgements doesn't make it "
right".