Section 7-303 - Interference with cable television service(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "Cable television company" means a franchised or private cable television company.(3) "Cable television service" means: (i) cable and satellite cable programming;(ii) service provided by or through the facility of a cable television system or a closed circuit coaxial cable communication system; or(iii) a microwave, satellite, or similar transmission service used with a cable television system or a closed circuit coaxial cable communication system.(b)(1) Destroying, damaging, cutting, tampering with, installing, tapping, removing, displacing, or connecting with a wire, conduit, apparatus, or other equipment of a cable television company is prima facie evidence of an intent to receive cable television services without payment.(2) Actual possession of a device designed to facilitate an act prohibited by this section, or possession and control of a quantity of those devices indicating possession for resale, is prima facie evidence of an intent to violate this section.(c) A person may not: (1) destroy, damage, cut, tamper with, install, tap, remove, displace, or connect with a wire, conduit, apparatus, or other equipment of a cable television company with the intent to receive cable television services without payment;(2) prevent, obstruct, or delay the sending, conveyance, distribution, or receiving of programming material transmitted by a cable television company;(3) with the intent to deprive a person of lawful compensation, receive, attempt to receive, or assist another to receive:(i) cable television service by trick, use of a decoder, or other fraudulent means; or(ii) satellite cable programming that is:1. offered for sale in the person's area through an unauthorized marketing system; or2. received by decoding encrypted satellite cable programming;(4) without authority from the cable television company, connect with a cable, wire, component, or other device used to distribute cable television service;(5) alter: (i) a device installed with the authorization of a cable television company to intercept or receive a program or service carried by the company; or(ii) equipment capable of decoding encrypted satellite cable programming to intercept or receive satellite cable programming; or(6) sell, rent, or offer for sale or rent a device or a plan for a device knowing that the recipient intends to use the device or to plan to do an act prohibited by this section.(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to: (i) for a first violation, imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; or(ii) for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both.(2) A person who commits an act prohibited by this section for payment or offer of payment is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.(e) A cable television company may bring an action to enjoin a violation of this section.(f) In addition to the penalties under subsection (d) of this section, a person who violates subsection (c)(3) or (6) of this section is liable to the aggrieved cable television company for all appropriate civil damages awarded by a court.(g) A device used to violate this section is subject to seizure by and forfeiture to the State.