Sydney March 28-  The Federal Court has awarded Australia's dominant pay TV platform Foxtel more than A$1 million (US$800,000) in damages in a civil suit against Mod Shop, a technology business in Western Australia which allegedly provided equipment, software and information to pirates. 

Judge Siopis ruled the Mod Shop's activities were illegal and said the damages recognized the importance of deterring pay TV piracy.

Foxtel alleged Mod Shop sold equipment that assisted consumers to "card share" – a form of piracy using the internet – in 2003 as Foxtel moved to encrypted digital technology.

Since Foxtel initiated this civil action, the Commonwealth Government has imposed criminal sanctions for unauthorized use of subscription TV signals in an effort to put a stop to piracy. Piracy is now a criminal offence under Commonwealth law.