§ 13:68.1. Unauthorized use of cable television services and equipment; unlawful connection to cable television systems; unlawful sale or modification of devices for the purpose of receiving or intercepting cable television services.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(1)

Make any unauthorized connection, whether physically, electrically, acoustically, inductively or otherwise with any part of any cable television system for the purpose of receiving any television signals, radio signals, pictures, programs, sounds or any other information transmitted over any cable television system without payment therefor; or

(2)

Tamper with, remove or injure any cables, wires or other equipment used for the distribution of television signals, radio signals, pictures, programs, sounds or any other information transmitted over any cable television system; or

(3)

Connect, alter, modify, attach, remove or tamper with any equipment or device or television or radio component for the purpose of intercepting or receiving any program or service offered, carried or transmitted by any cable television system; or

(4)

Manufacture, sell, transfer, rent or distribute any electronic equipment, or any kit for making such equipment, designed specifically to decode or descramble any programming or other services carried by a cable television system; or

(5)

In any manner whatsoever, misappropriate use or take any program signal or other services offered or distributed by any cable television system.

(b)

The trier of fact may infer that there has been a misappropriation, use or taking without the consent of the cable television system when:

(1)

There is on or about any cable, wire or any equipment which is affixed to any cable or wire, any device or other means resulting in the ability to divert or receive any program, signal or other service distributed by any cable television system; or

(2)

The person charged owned or possessed, or had custody or control of the room or premises where such device was located and the person charged benefited in any way, directly or indirectly, in the misappropriation or use of any program, signal or other service distributed by any cable television system; or

(3)

The person charged supplied false information in applying for any service offered by any cable television system.

(c)

Whoever violates the provisions of subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(5) of this section shall:

(1)

On first offense, be fined not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days, or both.

(2)

On second or subsequent offense, be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than one hundred twenty (120) days, or both.

(d)

Whoever violates the provisions of subsection (a)(4) of this section shall:

(1)

On first offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than ninety (90) days, or both.

(2)

On second or subsequent offense be fined not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than one hundred eighty (180) days, or both.

(e)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any cable television companies or systems licensed and franchised in accordance with federal and state law, or multipoint distribution systems licensed in accordance with federal law, or to the authorized use of earth stations to receive satellite communications.

(City Code 1951, Title 13, § 45.6.1; Parish Code 1962, Title 13, § 45; Ord. No. 7103, § 1, 4-13-83; Ord. No. 9233, § 1, 2-13-91)