Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart C
You are not taking anything physical, you are stealing a service. The OED does not define stealing as taking something physical and Merriam Webster specifically includes services in it's definition of theft.
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The OED and Merriam Webster mean nothing when it comes to UK law though, and although TraxData is making his point badly, he is right.
The theft act is VERY clear on the definition of theft.
Quote:
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A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and 'thief' and 'steal' shall be construed accordingly.
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The key part is bolded. When you use an illegal box you are not permanently depriving VM of any property, therefore it isn't theft. It's the same as why copyright infringement isn't theft (no matter how much the riaa will tell you otherwise) as long as you're not physically depriving someone of something then under UK law it's not theft.
That's not to say it's not illegal (is it) it's just covered by different laws.