Users can be fined if a third party takes advantage of an open connection
By Kirsten Grieshaber
updated 10:55 a.m. ET May 12, 2010
BERLIN - Germany's top criminal court ruled Wednesday that Internet users need
to secure their private wireless connections by password to prevent
unauthorized people from using their Web access to illegally download data.
Internet users can be fined up to euro100 ($126) if a third party takes
advantage of their unprotected WLAN connection to illegally download music or
other files, the Karlsruhe-based court said in its verdict.
"Private users are obligated to check whether their wireless connection is
adequately secured to the danger of unauthorized third parties abusing it to
commit copyright violation," the court said.
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But the court stopped short of holding the users responsible for the illegal
content the third party downloads themselves.
The court also limited its decision, ruling that users could not be expected to
constantly update their wireless connection's security they are only required
to protect their Internet access by setting up a password when they first
install it.
The national consumer protection agency said the verdict was balanced.