$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi devices (2015)

Re:$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi device... by denysonique on Wednesday January 04, 2017 @08:33AM (#13318078)

I don't really understand why you cannot fully be in control over electromagnetic radiation that occurs solely in your own private property? Logically it doesn't make any sense, unless of course there is leakage of that radiation affecting someone else outside of your private property.

Will we soon be banned from using red light bulbs at home, because their wavelength is illegal?

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Re:$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi device... by jannotti on Wednesday January 04, 2017 @08:37AM (#13318102)

Why is electromagnetic spectrum special? A convention center couldn't put poison in their air, couldn't stab people, couldn't libel anyone, couldn't cook meth, and couldn't produce patented pharmaceuticals in their own private property either.

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Re:$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi device... by DannyB2 on Wednesday January 04, 2017 @01:21PM (#13320673)

You may own the property, but you don't own the electromagnetic spectrum. The spectrum is a limited resource. It is managed by the government for the public good.

Some spectrum is licensed. Some is for public use, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, baby monitors, and many other uses.

How would you like it if someone else on their own private property interfered with your use of WiFi on your property by sending you deauth packets?

I pay AT&T for my phone, including the use of it as a hotspot. AT&T paid handsomely to license the spectrum it uses to provide service to my phone. I'm sure they would not be happy if I am unable to use that service because I am maliciously blocked by someone interfering with my lawful use of WiFi spectrum on my own lawful hotspot, regardless of what property I am lawfully on, such as a hotel.

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Re:$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi device... by rrock on Wednesday January 04, 2017 @08:45AM (#13318156)

Check the notice. They were also blocking APs in cars and busses driving outside the convention center.

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Re:$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi device... by JustSomeNobody on Wednesday January 04, 2017 @10:21AM (#13318951)

But you can! You just have to license a portion of that spectrum for yourself. Leave the public spectrum alone.

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Re:$718K penalty against M.C. Dean for blocking Wi-Fi device... by cesarb on Wednesday January 04, 2017 @10:28AM (#13319006)

> unless of course there is leakage of that radiation affecting someone else outside of your private property.

There always is. Radio waves don't respect walls (unless they're made of metal). If you look at the linked document, it shows strong indications that the attacks did affect wifi networks from vehicles passing by, that is, fully outside of the property.

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