[SFDXA] Fine for Selling Signal Jammers

[Bill]

 From QRZ via PC Mag
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2459882,00.asp

Fine for Selling Signal Jammers

     By David Murphy
     June 21, 2014 07:15pm EST

C.T.S. Technology Co. Ltd allegedly marketed a total of 285 different 
signal jammers over the span of two years or so.

The Federal Communications Commission has announced a record-breaking 
fine against Chinese electronics manufacturer and online retailer C.T.S. 
Technology Co. Ltd. The $34.9 million penalty, which the FCC revealed 
publicly on Thursday, stems from allegations that C.T.S Technology 
marketed and sold signal jammers to U.S. customers.

In the FTC's eyes, that's a big no-no. So much so that the FTC will be 
issuing the maximum fine it possibly can against each jammer model that 
C.T.S is alleged to have marketed in the United States. That's 285 in 
total, which it's alleged to have offered up to U.S. consumers for more 
than two years via the company's websites (some of which it continues to 
sell today). Worse, the company is alleged to have said that said signal 
jammers were actually approved by the FCC for use. Spoiler: They were not.

"All companies, whether domestic or foreign, are banned from marketing 
illegal jammers in the U.S. Signal jammers present a direct danger to 
public safety, potentially blocking the communications of first 
responders. Operating a jammer is also illegal, and consumers who do so 
face significant civil and criminal penalties," said Travis LeBlanc, 
acting chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, in a statement.

Additionally, the FCC reports that C.T.S. sold 10 signal jammers to 
undercover personnel --- not a great way to endear the company to the 
agency. We should note, however, that it's not just the fault of C.T.S. 
if a signal jammer happens to end up in the hands of a U.S. citizen. 
Federal law prohibits marketing, selling, importing, or --- most 
importantly --- using a signal jammer anywhere within the United States, 
save for rare exceptions that only members of law enforcement get to enjoy.

In other words, it might be tempting to bust out the ol' illegally 
acquired signal jammer in the movie theater, but we suggest you resist 
the urge.

"To report the sale or use of an illegal jammer, contact the FCC 
Enforcement Bureau through the FCC online complaint portal or call 
1-888-CALL-FCC (or 1-888-225-5322). To voluntarily relinquish a signal 
jammer, please e-mail jammerinfo at fcc.gov. Additional information, 
including the FCC Consumer Alert on the jamming prohibitions and the FCC 
Enforcement Advisory to retailers regarding the marketing of illegal 
signal jammers, is available at www.fcc.gov/jammers," reads the FTC's 
announcement.