DIRECTV, Inc. v. Bennett

DIRECTV, Inc. appeals the judgment of the district court dismissing its claim under the Wiretap Act against James Bennett, an individual who pirated its satellite signal. The district court’s judgment rests on its conclusion that the Wiretap Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2510, et seq., does not allow a private right of action. Based on the plain language of the statute, we disagree and reverse.

I

DIRECTV brought this civil action against James Bennett to obtain remedies for his piracy of DIRECTV’s satellite signal. DIRECTV’s case has two statutory bases, the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(A), for…