It isn't like breaking into someones house. It's like walking in their yard. Unless 
you put up No Trespassing signs, I could run through your back yard without breaking 
any laws. It's up to the OWNER to notify people that they aren't welcome.


--- "Matthew TenHulzen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
So, if the front door to my house is unlocked, do others have the right to 
enter???!!!!  It is still breaking & entering even if my door is unlocked - according 
to today's laws.  Maybe wireless will eventually be the same.

        -----Original Message----- 
        From: Sheets, Jake [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
        Sent: Tue 1/13/2004 8:48 AM 
        To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
        Cc: 
        Subject: RE: [sclug-generallist] Hi List!!!!!! from Minneapolis
        
        

        Yet, the argument can be presented that taking something that is being
        offered for free is not stealing.....
        
        It is like putting your lawnmower out in your front yard with a sign on
        it stating "Free use of this mower to anyone in my neighborhood." Not
        many people would do that, (they keep their lawnmower locked, securely,
        in their garage or shed) but that is what they are doing by not securing
        their WLAN.
        
        Just trying to be the devils advocate.
        
        Jake Sheets
        IT\GIS Engineer
        Sioux City Community Schools
        (712) 277-6103
        
        
        -----Original Message-----
        From: Ryan Patterson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
        Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 8:36 AM
        To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
        Subject: Re: [sclug-generallist] Hi List!!!!!! from Minneapolis
        
        While there don't appear to be any ratified laws to date regarding
        "warxing" (including chalking, driving, etc. etc.) and its pure
        legality, it appears as though the FBI has stated that it may be a
        federal crime due to theft of services.
        
        http://www.politechbot.com/p-03884.html
        
        Now, without a PGP signature, you can only really take that at face
        value.  Keep in mind as well that this hasn't been challenged in the
        courts either from what I've seen.
        
        Ethically, I feel that getting an IP address from a random wireless
        connection while warxing is less than sound and does indeed include a
        theft of services.  You are, after all, using _my_ dhcp server to get
        those packets.  Being neither a laywer nor desiring to be, that's my
        interpretation. 
        
        I did mis-state that it was illegal in certain states as I was under the
        impression that some of the states had actually managed to pass law
        indicating such.  My apologies.
        
        It also appears that New Hampshire has a law going on the books this
        month that might actually set a precedence for further laws.
        
        http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2003/HB0495.html
        
        All in all, be wary.  Nobody likes to have things stolen.
        
        -Ryan
        
        On Mon, Jan 12, 2004 at 07:19:36PM -0600, Ryan wrote:
        > >And we are a bit curious as to what went on at the meeting?
        >
        > We watched this movie about a girl that spins around in a chair for
        several
        > minutes.  And something about a tow truck driver.  Actually the
        documentary
        > was "New York City Hackers", a Norwegian documentary about the New
        York
        > City hacker scene.  It's freely (re)distributable; you can download it
        off
        > the net if you wish to watch it.  But it wasn't that great.
        >
        > Also Brion showed us how to rip cds, burn cds, etcetera.
        >
        > And some of us engaged in an enthusiastic discussion of whether it was
        
        > legal or not to boot up your computer in your own neighborhood (or
        > anywhere) and have it grab an IP from some unknown network.  (I agree
        with
        > Mark, I have a hard time believing this could be illegal.  There are
        public
        > 'hot spots' all over the country, how am I supposed to know that an AP
        is
        > not open if it hands me an IP + internet access?)
        >
        > And a good time was had by all.
        >
        > -Ryan
        

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