Developer Of Signal Theft Software Settles with DirecTV, NDS

A Chicago man accused of developing and distributing software designed to steal DirecTV programming has agreed to a $1 million settlement with DirecTV Inc. and NDS Americas Inc., DirecTV announced Dec. 8.

DirecTV and NDS, the creator of security features used to protect DirecTV’s broadcasts from unauthorized interception, filed a federal lawsuit against Robert Lazarra for violating certain provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Federal Communications Act and state law, which make it illegal to circumvent technological security measures and to intercept or assist others in intercepting DirecTV’s encrypted satellite signals without authorization or payment.

The lawsuit claimed that Lazzara developed and distributed through multiple Internet sites software that allowed unauthorized reception of DirecTV’s programming. The software allowed users to hack DirecTV’s older generation access cards. Lazzara consented to the entry of a judgment against him in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and agreed to a permanent injunction barring him from further satellite piracy.