This story reported on Slashdot is pretty incredible.

DirecTV is suing anyone known to have purchased a smartcard programmer, regardless of whether or not they’re actually using the device to enable stealing their programming. They’re sending out letters & when people call to clear up the confusion, DirecTV is demanding a $3500 settlement as well as the programming device. They’ve filed 9000 federal lawsuits against alleged pirates thus far.

This sounds just plain crazy. I think this poster has the right idea though.