Satellite television service seeking an end to piracy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A satellite television service has resolved most of the lawsuits the company filed the past two years against 267 Oklahomans. <br/><br/>But a lawyer for some of those being sued said

Friday, November 26th 2004, 5:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A satellite television service has resolved most of the lawsuits the company filed the past two years against 267 Oklahomans.

But a lawyer for some of those being sued said the suits amount to extortion.

Attorney Christopher Bergin says many of the lawsuits filed by DirecTV have no evidentiary foundation.

About two years ago, people across the country began receiving letters accusing them of piracy. Bergin says they were told to settle for 3,500 or face legal action.

Bergin says it became more expensive to fight the allegation than just paying DirecTV's demand.

But DirecTV defends the lawsuits, saying the legal actions are necessary to prevent piracy and protect customers.

The Oklahoma lawsuits are a small portion of more than 25,000 filed nationwide by DirecTV against those accused of stealing the company's signal.