What are programmed or “pirate” access cards?
Access cards that have been reprogrammed or “pirated” allow people illegally to intercept and decrypt DIRECTV’s signals and receive television programming without making any payments to DIRECTV. “Reprogramming” is done by illegally modifying the copyrighted software on the card to bypass DIRECTV’s conditional access system and open all channels of programming, including pay-per-view movies and sports, which are only available legitimately after payment of a subscription or exhibition fee.
