Re: Packetstream - how does this not violate just about every provider's ToS?

["K. Scott Helms" <kscott.helms () gmail com>]

After all, it worked for Napster....


Scott Helms



On Thu, Apr 25, 2019 at 3:23 PM John Levine <johnl () iecc com> wrote:

> In article <af762f22-9431-4137-b87e-2444a62bdd87@Spark> you write:
> > -=-=-=-=-=-
> >
> > feeling cranky, are we, job?   (accusing an antispam expert of spamming
> on a mailing list by having too long a .sig?)
> > but it’s true!  anne runs the internet, and the rest of us (except for
> ICANN GAC representatives) all accept that.
> > to actually try to make a more substantial point, i am quite curious how
> the AUPs of carriers try to disallow
> > bandwidth resale while permitting
> >
> > • cybercafe operations and other “free wifi" (where internet service
> might be provided for patrons in a
> > hotel or cafe)
> > • wireless access point schemes where you make money or get credit for
> allowing use of your bandwidth (e.g. Fon)
> > • other proxy services that use bandwidth such as tor exit nodes and
> openvpn gateways
>
> To belabor the fairly obvious, residential and business service are
> different even if the technology is the same.  For example, Comcast's
> residential TOS says:
>
>   You agree that the Service(s) and the Xfinity Equipment will be used
>   only for personal, residential, non-commercial purposes, unless
>   otherwise specifically authorized by us in writing. You are prohibited
>   from reselling or permitting another to resell the Service(s) in whole
>   or in part, ... [ long list of other forbidden things ]
>
> Their business TOS is different.  It says no third party use unless
> your agreement permits it, so I presume they have a coffee shop plan.
> (The agreements don't seem to be on their web site.)  I'd also observe
> that coffee shop wifi isn't "resale" since it's free, it's an amenity.
>
> As to how do these guys think they'll get away with it, my guess is
> that they heard that "disruption" means ignoring laws and contracts
> and someone told them that is a good thing.
>
> R's,
> John