Problems with guide data server? Legalities?

[psxtrader13]

Sorry if I'm wasting people's time, but this is just a thought I've had. A lot of people have been talking about "guide data servers". Well, what about when software upgrades come along? I sat down one day and tried interrupting the data file, copying it, extracting it, installing it myself, etc...but I didn't get too far cause I didn't have a backup back then and I didn't want to take any chances. But does anyone actually know the whole routine the TIvo goes through when a software revision comes around? Is this something we would have to sacrifice with a guide data server? Also, someona asked about lawsuits? IF you can successfully emulate a subscribed tivo with a non-subscribed tivo, what are the chances of getting caught? If you have caller-id blocking, they can't trace your source unless they got the phone company/police/whoever to trace all their calls, and who knows when that could happen. Also, if you did get caught stealing the service, could they hold you liable for more than the amount of money that they were "neglected" of because of your actions (which is like $250). Last time I checked, tivo hacking wasn't a federal crime. And if you think about it, it's not even really kevin mitnik hacking either. Just a few thoughts. Feel free to bitch at me or whatever for wasting your time.

[stryder]

They would have no reason to trace the call because you wouldn't be letting the Tivo actually call Tivo.com . Besides the Tivo doesn't call Tivo directly, it dials into a local ppp account and calls home over the net. Which is why you can convince the tivo to call home using the TivoNet interface, or through a ppp link using pppd to a machine on the internet. Software updates won't happen through anything we create, unless someone is able to intercept it, however I don't know how legal that would be. Probably not.

[Frobbit]

If you call a toll free number they can get your number regardless of your caller ID settings.

[Vadim]

If you read the message board a little more, you will notice that none of us are actually trying to streal service from TiVo Inc. It would be a crime and no one is willing to do it. Yet when you buy your tivo you never sign any contracts so therefor you can get your own data into your tivo by yourself. Sort of like using it un-subed yet with guide. As long as you are the one generating the guide or getting it from somewhere free without stealing then you are fine.

[ponkie]

I have no problem with paying for the guide service. I don't want
any problems with... uh, test cards and the info that gets uploaded back to tivo. One day, DirecTV will ask TiVo for its information on the viewing habits of its subscribers.
When DirecTV sees people viewing 20 PPV per month and all sporting events, They will do a little investigating and find those people. Maybe even send them a bill for all the use they did while 'testing' the cards.
Forget about privacy, this is all about money.
Any thoughts on that?