DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546 (5th Cir. 2005). · Go Syfert
DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546 (5th Cir. 2005). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
48 citation events (48 in the last 25 years) across 5 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: US Bank National Association, for asset backed funding corporation asset backed certificates 2006 HE1 v. Falissa Micheaux, Schnika McKissic, individually and as legal guardian for E.T., Natalie Verse, Tanosha Bishop, Montoya Targton, Terry Targton, Jr., and Tariq Targton (txnd, 2026-02-12)
Treatment trajectory · 2005 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2005 2015 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 38 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) US Bank National Association, for asset backed funding corporation asset backed certificates 2006 HE1 v. Falissa Micheaux, Schnika McKissic, individually and as legal guardian for E.T., Natalie Verse, Tanosha Bishop, Montoya Targton, Terry Targton, Jr., and Tariq Targton
N.D. Tex. · 2026 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and -7- internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, in Trust for Registered Holders of Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-WL2, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-WL2 v. Steven Crear, Sr., et al.
N.D. Tex. · 2026 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) OQ Chemicals Corporation v. Turner Industries Group LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Christian v. Williams
N.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Valentine v. Whitetail Capital LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) New York Inn v. Associated Indust
5th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
“If a movant alleges an absence of specific facts necessary for a nonmovant to establish an essential element of its case, then the nonmovant must respond by setting forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine [dispute] for trial.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned 8 Case: 24-10338 Document: 56-1 Page: 9 Date Filed: 04/03/2025 No. 24-10338 up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Edwards v. First Trust Portfolios LP
N.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bohemond v. City of Dallas Texas
N.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) The Decor Group Inc v. River City Lights Inc
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matei v. Safeco Insurance Company of America
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wilmington Savings Fund Society v. King-Johnson
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Santry v. Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Armijo v. Movement Mortgage LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wells Fargo Bank National Association v. Pierce
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Keiland Construction v. Weeks Marine
5th Cir. · 2024 · confidence medium
Notwithstanding, “[i]f a movant alleges an absence of specific facts necessary for a nonmovant to establish an essential element of its case, then the nonmovant must respond by setting forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine [dispute] for trial.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vigce LLC v. Level Eleven LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) 1901 Gateway Holdings LLC v. Centimark Corporation
N.D. Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wilmington Savings Fund Society v. King-Johnson
N.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Byrne v. Wilson
N.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) RTG-MI LLC v. JetPay Payment Services TX LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
And, “[w]hen opposing parties tell two different stories, one of which is blatantly contradicted by the record, so that no reasonable jury could believe it, a court should not adopt that version of the facts for purposes of ruling on a motion for summary judgment.” Id. -10- “After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Noviello v. Adam Wines Consulting, LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
AAfter the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.@ DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Skipworth v. Reverse Mortgage Solutions Inc
N.D. Tex. · 2022 · confidence medium
AAfter the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.@ DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) RKCJ LLC v. Farmers and Merchants Bank
N.D. Tex. · 2022 · confidence medium
AAfter the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.@ DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Smith v. Summit Midstream Partners LP
N.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
And, A[w]hen opposing parties tell two different stories, one of which is blatantly contradicted by the record, so that no reasonable jury could believe it, a court should not adopt that version of the facts for purposes of ruling on a motion for summary judgment.@ Id. -13- AAfter the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.@ DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Douglas v. Ben E Keith Company
N.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Adames v. NueHealth Management Services LLC
N.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) U.S Bank National Association v. Bolton
N.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wells Fargo Bank National Association v. Benamou
N.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) 2018 Houses LLC v. Bank of America NA
N.D. Tex. · 2020 · confidence medium
If, “after the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue,” “the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, then there is no genuine issue for trial.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005); Steadman v. Texas Rangers, 179 F.3d 360, 366 (5th Cir. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mercado v. Midland Mortgage
N.D. Tex. · 2020 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hernandez v. Arc Trading Company
N.D. Tex. · 2019 · confidence medium
“After the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005) (footnote and internal quotation marks omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Continental Insurance Co. v. Dawson
N.D. Tex. · 2017 · confidence medium
DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir. 2005); Steadman v. Texas Rangers, 179 F.3d 360, 366 (5th Cir. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bedford Internet Office Space, LLC v. Travelers Casualty Insurance
N.D. Tex. · 2014 · confidence medium
If, “after the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue,” “the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, then there is no genuine issue for trial.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir.2005); Steadman v. Texas Rangers, 179 F.3d 360, 366 (5th Cir.1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kostic v. Texas A & M University at Commerce
N.D. Tex. · 2014 · confidence medium
If, “after the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue,” “the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, then there is no genuine issue for trial.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir.2005); Steadman v. Texas Rangers, 179 F.3d 360, 366 (5th Cir.1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Levels v. Merlino
N.D. Tex. · 2013 · confidence medium
If, “after the nonmovant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue,” “the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, then there is no genuine issue for trial.” DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir.2005); Steadman v. Texas Rangers, 179 F.3d 360, 366 (5th Cir.1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Directv, Inc. v. Crespin
10th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
Because the statute makes no reference to interception in its definition of standing, no actual “interception is required for DTV to qualify as ‘any person aggrieved’ in order to bring a civil action under the terms of § 605(e)(3)(A).” DIRECTV Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 550 (5th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." DeVittorio v. Hall
2d Cir. · 2009 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See id. § 2520(a); see also DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir.2005) (noting propriety of summary judgment when Title III plaintiff presents no evidence that device was actually used to intercept communications); Gross v. Taylor, 1997 WL 535872 , at *4-*5 (E.D.Pa.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." DeVittorio v. Hall
2d Cir. · 2009 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See id. § 2520(a); see also DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, 420 F.3d 546, 549 (5th Cir.2005) (noting propriety of summary judgment when Title III plaintiff presents no evidence that device was actually used to intercept communications); Gross v. Taylor, 1997 WL 535872 , at *4-*5 (E.D.Pa.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
DIRECTV, INC., Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
Randall MINOR, Defendant-Appellee
04-50793.
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Aug 9, 2005.
420 F.3d 546
Howard Robert Rubin (argued), Christian S. Genetski, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal, Washington, DC, for DIRECTV, Inc., Jack M. Wilhelm (argued), Austin, TX, for Minor.
Higginbotham, Barksdale, Clement.
Cited by 40 opinions  |  Published
PATRICK E. HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judge:

DIRECTV, Inc. (“DTV”) appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment on its claims for illegal interception of its satellite transmissions in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 2511(1)(a), and for modification of a pirate access device in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(4). We vacate and remand. [1]

I

DTV is a nationwide provider of direct-to-home satellite programming, including movie channels, sports, major cable networks, and local channels. A typical DTV system consists of a small DTV-compatible satellite dish, a DTV receiver, and a DTV access card. Although DTV encrypts its transmissions to guard against unauthorized access, numerous “pirate access devices” [2] have been developed to allow users to view DTV programming without paying for it, usually by altering a valid access card.

Defendant Randall Minor is a professional network engineer and website administrator, with a degree in computer information systems in addition to postgraduate training. DTV first became aware of Minor following its execution of a writ of seizure at a mail shipping facility used by a device merchant named PC Ease. Records acquired subsequent to the raids indicate that Minor purchased a Vector Fusion Unlooper (“the unlooper”) from PC Ease in April 2001. DTV claims that the unlooper has no commercially significant purpose other than to modify DTV access cards, and that its primary function is to gain unauthorized access to DTV satellite programming. More specifically, the unlooper can be used to alter or restore functionality to DTV access cards that have been disabled by misuse or by an ECM; [3] it acts as a smart card reader/writer, but with additional capabilities. Upon further investigation, DTV discovered that Minor had a DTV dish installed on the outside of his house. Minor is not a DTV subscriber. [4]

Minor claimed that he ordered the un-looper to prevent “[his] son, kids, anybody in the family from accessing my [comput[*548] er] system when I wasn’t home.” He paid between $100 and $300 for it; however, he claims that after he was unable to make the unlooper work to secure his computer, and after he was unsuccessful in soliciting help via telephone, he threw the device away.

As to the DTV dish, he claimed that he had “a company come in and do ... wiring ... for telephone, cable[ — ]any possible communications.” Minor later described this company as “just workers in the area that needed some extra money.” In his appellate brief Minor explained the dish as an improvement that would increase the value of his home. Although Minor testified that the dish was “to be used as an antenna” and that “[tjhere’s a round device over the top of it ... that gathers reception for local channels,” according to DTV, the satellite dish attached to Minor’s house is incapable of functioning as an antenna to receive local station broadcasts.

Before us are DTV’s claims against Minor for violations of the Communications Act of 1934, [5] as well as for violations of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Wiretap Act). [6] Specifically, DTV brought claims against Minor for illegal interception of its satellite transmissions, in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 2511(l)(a), and for the illegal modification of a device primarily used for piracy, in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(4). [7]

The district court granted summary judgment to Minor on these three claims. [8] The court treated as dispositive its conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to support a factual finding that Minor intercepted DTV’s signal. [9] DTV timely appeals.

II

We review a grant of summary judgment de novo, applying the same standard as the district court. [10] “Summary judgment is proper when the pleadings and evidence demonstrate that no genuine issue of material fact exists and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” [11]

The district court was obligated to “consider the evidence in the light most favorable” [12] to DTV as the nonmovant, and to “indulge every reasonable inference from[*549] the facts” in favor of DTV. [13] If a movant alleges an absence of specific facts necessary for a nonmovant to establish an essential element of its case, then the non-movant “must respond by setting forth ‘specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.’ ” [14] “After the nonmov-ant has been given an opportunity to raise a genuine factual issue, if no reasonable juror could find for the nonmovant, summary judgment will be granted.” [15]

Ill

DTV urges that it presented sufficient evidence to forestall summary judgment on its claims for violation of § 605(a) and § 2511(l)(a). We agree.

Section 605(a) provides, in part, that

no person receiving [or] assisting in receiving ... any interstate or foreign communication by wire or radio shall divulge or publish the ... contents ..., except [in authorized circumstances.] No person not being authorized by the sender shall intercept any radio communication and divulge or publish the ... contents ... of such intercepted communication to any person. No person not being entitled thereto shall receive or assist in receiving any interstate or foreign communication by radio and use such communication ... for his own benefit or for the benefit of another not entitled thereto. [16]

Section 605(e)(3)(A), in turn, provides a civil remedy for “[a]ny person aggrieved by any violation of [§ 605(a)] or [§ 605(e)(4)].” [17]

Similarly, § 2511(1)(a) imposes criminal liability upon any person who “intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, oral, or electronic communication.” [18] A civil action is provided in § 2520(a): “[A]ny person whose wire, oral, or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed, or intentionally used in violation of this chapter may in a civil action recover from the person or entity, other than the United States, which engaged in that violation such relief as may be appropriate.” [19]

DTV’s claims per § 605(a) and § 2511(l)(a) hinge here upon whether DTV has created a triable issue on the key element of actual interception. [20] While circumstantial evidence can serve this end, [21] we have cautioned that where “circumstantial evidence of interception is confined largely to demonstrating the purchase and possession of the devices at issue, rather than the use of those devices to intercept DTV’s transmissions,” summary judgment may be proper. [22] In DIRECTV, Inc. v. Robson, we affirmed sum[*550] mary judgment for the defendant where evidence was lacking as to other DTV components — dish, receiver, and access card- — and the quantum of evidence added up to little more than purchase and possession. [23] As we noted in Robson, there is “no civil action for merely possessing or purchasing a pirate access device.” [24]

The evidence in the present case differs in that there is a DTV dish on the roof of an individual who is not and has never been a DTV subscriber. With the dish, then, comes the possibility of surreptitious interception, recognizing that the other equipment is capable of being kept in secret; in Robson, evidence of such a visible component — -necessary for actual interception — was lacking. Of course, whether or not Minor’s explanations for this particular fixture are credible is not something we gauge here. Together with his purchase of the unlooper, these facts are sufficient to raise a question whether Minor used the unlooper to intercept DTV’s transmissions. Indulging all reasonable inferences, we are persuaded that the evidence here takes us sufficiently beyond purchase and possession of the unlooper; that is, the admitted purchase of the unlooper in conjunction with the DTV dish on the home of this technically savvy non-subscriber creates a triable fact issue on the key element of interception.

IV

DTV also argues that summary judgment should not have been granted as to its claims under § 605(e)(4), per the corresponding civil action provided for in § 605(e)(3)(A), for modification of a pirate access device. We agree.

Section 605(e)(4) reads:

Any person who manufactures, assembles, modifies, imports, exports, sells, or distributes any electronic, mechanical, or other device or equipment, knowing or having reason to know that the device or equipment is primarily of assistance in the unauthorized decryption of satellite cable programming, or direct-to-home satellite services, or is intended for any other activity prohibited by [§ 605(a)], shall be [criminally liable]. [25]

In its brief on appeal, DTV describes its claim for violation of this provision as follows:

DIRECTV alleges that Minor violated 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(4) by using a device called an unlooper to illegally modify a DIRECTV access card to enable the access card to decrypt DIRECTV’s satellite transmissions.

The district court disposed of this claim based on its conclusion that it was unsupportable absent a showing of actual interception, [26] and we are persuaded that this was in error. Nothing on the face of § 605(e)(4) requires interception, as it addresses “[a]ny person” who engages in any of the listed activities, including “modifi[cation].” [27] Further, no interception is required for DTV to qualify as “[a]ny person aggrieved” in order to bring a civil action under the terms of § 605(e)(3)(A). [28] The district court cited a portion of[*551] § 605(d)(6) — which is a provision that provides guidance as to “any person aggrieved” [29] — in reaching its conclusion that civil claims brought for violation of § 605(e)(4) require actual interception. [30] This implicitly treats § 605(d)(6) as an exhaustive list of those who fit within the scope of “any person aggrieved.” We rejected such a contention today in a related case and need not plow the same ground here. [31] We offer no opinion on whether Minor’s alleged actions using the unlooper to alter a DTV access card qualifies as “modifi[cation]” [32] within the meaning of § 605(e)(4). We leave that to the district court to consider again in the first instance. We further decline to address Minor’s additional arguments raised for the first time on appeal.

V

For the foregoing reasons, we vacate the district court’s summary judgment in favor of Minor. The evidence presented permits a reasonable of inference of actual interception, as is required for civil claims alleging violations of § 605(a) and § 2511(l)(a). Actual interception is not required to sustain a § 605(e)(4) claim.

VACATED and REMANDED.

1

. We heard oral argument in this case on May 11, 2005, with two related cases, which are also issued today. See DIRECTV, Inc. v. Budden, No. 04-20751, 420 F.3d 521 (5th Cir. Aug.9, 2005); DIRECTV, Inc. v. Robson, No. 04-30861, 420 F.3d 532 (5th Cir. Aug.9, 2005).

2

. See DIRECTV, Inc. v. Nicholas, 403 F.3d 223, 224 (4th Cir.2005) ("pirate access devices" are those devices "that can surreptitiously steal DIRECTV's transmissions”); DIRECTV, Inc. v. Brown, 371 F.3d 814, 816 (11th Cir.2004) ("pirate access devices” are those used "to circumvent this conditional access technology and allow users to receive the satellite transmissions provided by DTV without paying DTV any fees”); see also DIRECTV, Inc. v. Barnes, 302 F.Supp.2d 774, 776 (W.D.Mich.2004).

3

. In order to combat the proliferation of illegally modified access cards, DTV periodically sends out electronic countermeasures ("ECMs”) embedded within its satellite transmissions. ECMs detect and disable modified access cards, sending them into an infinite “loop.” See Robson, No. 04-30861, 420 F.3d at 535 n. 4.

4

. DTV also produced evidence that at some point after the commencement of suit Minor accessed a website that offers advice to would-be pirates.

5

. 48 Stat. 1064, as amended (codified in relevant part at 47 U.S.C. § 605).

6

. Pub.L. No. 90-351, tit. Ill, § 802, 82 Stat. 211, 212-23, as amended (codified at 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2522).

7

. The remaining claims are not at issue here. DTV previously dismissed its claim for civil conversion and does not challenge the district court's ruling regarding claims per 18 U.S.C. § 2512 and Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 123.002.

8

. See DIRECTV, Inc. v. Minor, No. SA-03CA-782-OG (W.D.Tex. Jun. 29, 2004).

9

. See id. at 2 ("In order to prevail on these claims [under § 605(a) and § 605(e)(4)], DIRECTV must prove that Minor received, assisted in receiving, or intercepted DIRECTV's proprietary satellite transmissions.”); id. at 5 ("DIRECTV has failed to meet its burden to raise a fact issue that Minor actually intercepted and then divulged its communication.”); id. at 7 (granting summary judgment on § 2511 claim because DTV "has failed to raise a fact issue that Minor intercepted DIRECTV's signal”).

10

. See Boudreaux v. Swift Transp. Co., Inc., 402 F.3d 536, 540 (5th Cir.2005); Caboni v. Gen. Motors Corp., 278 F.3d 448, 451 (5th Cir.2002); Fed.R.Civ.P. 56.

11

. Pluet v. Frasier, 355 F.3d 381, 383 (5th Cir.2004) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)).

12

. Caboni, 278 F.3d at 451 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); see Forsyth v. Barr, 19 F.3d 1527, 1533 (5th Cir.1994).

13

. Newport Ltd. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 6 F.3d 1058, 1064 (5th Cir.1993).

14

. Slaughter v. S. Talc Co., 949 F.2d 167, 170 (5th Cir.1991) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)).

15

. Caboni, 278 F.3d at 451 (citing Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)).

16

. 47 U.S.C. § 605(a) (emphasis added).

20

. See Robson, No. 04-30861, 420 F.3d at 538.

21

. See id., 420 F.3d at 538; Walker v. Darby, 911 F.2d 1573, 1578 (11th Cir.1990).

22

. Robson, No. 04-30861, 420 F.3d at 538.

23

. See id.

24

. Id.; see id., 420 F.3d at 538 (citing, inter alia, 18 U.S.C. § 2520(a); 18 U.S.C. § 2512(1)(b); DIRECTV, Inc. v. Treworgy, 373 F.3d 1124, 1129 (11th Cir.2004)).

25

. 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(4) (emphasis added).

26

. See supra note 9.

28

. See 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(A) ("Any person aggrieved by any violation of [§ 605(a)] or [§ 605(e)(4)] may bring a civil action in a United States district court or in any other court of competent jurisdiction.”).

29

.47 U.S.C. § 605(d)(6) provides:

[T]he term "any person aggrieved” shall include any person with proprietary rights in the intercepted communication by wire or radio, including wholesale or retail distributors of satellite cable programming, and, in the case of a violation of [§ 605(e)(4)], shall also include any person engaged in the lawful manufacture, distribution, or sale of equipment necessary to authorize or receive satellite cable programming.
30

. See Minor, No. SA-03-CA-782-OG, at 2.

31

. See Budden, No. 04-20751, 420 F.3d at 527-28; see also Robson, No. 04-30861, 420 F.3d at 545.

32

. Cf. MCI Telecomms. Corp. v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 512 U.S. 218, 225, 114 S.Ct. 2223, 129 L.Ed.2d 182 (1994); United States v. Crawford, 52 F.3d 1303, 1309-10 (5th Cir. 1995); United States v. Harrell, 983 F.2d 36, 37-39 (5th Cir.1993).