In a message dated 16/06/2008 4:42:09 P.M. Central Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

State  laws regarding access to networks
Many states have criminal laws that  prohibit accessing any computer or
network without the owner's permission.  For example, in Texas, the statute
is Penal Code section 33.02, Breach of  Computer Security. It says, "A perso=
n
commits an offense if the person  knowingly accesses a computer, computer
network or computer system without  the effective consent of the owner." The
penalty grade ranges from  misdemeanor to first degree felony (which is the
same grade as murder),  depending on whether the person obtains benefit,
harms or defrauds someone,  or alters, damages, or deletes files.
The wording of most such laws  encompasses connecting to a wireless network
without explicit permission,  even if the wi-fi network is unsecured. The
inclusion of the culpable  mental state of "knowing" as an element of the
offense means that if your  computer automatically connects to your
neighbor's wireless network instead  of your own and you aren't aware of it,
you haven't committed a crime --  but if you decide to hop onto the nearest
unencrypted wi-fi network to surf  the Internet, knowing full well that it
doesn't belong to you and no one  has given you permission, you could be
prosecuted under these laws.
A  Michigan man was arrested  (
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070522-michigan-man-arrested-for-usi=
ng-cafes-free-wifi-from-his-car.html)
for  using a caf=E9's wi-fi network (which was reserved for customers) from  =
his
car in 2007. Similar arrests have been made in Florida,  Illinois,
Washington, and Alaska. See

WELL,  that's pretty screwed up BECAUSE Texas offers free WiFi Internet
service in it's  own Rest Stops with Tourist info centres !  You do not have to go
in and  get permission.  We used them coming back from Mexico this past
Spring.  So they are on both sides of the fence ???????  More screwed  up laws by
screwed up bureaucrats !!

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15,  2008