From the Ars Technica story:

A Michigan man is being prosecuted for using a cafe’s free WiFi… from his car.

The Michigan law apparently bars you from accessing someone else’s network without their explicit authorization.

Seems to me that this is really getting out of hand. Where’s the law that says that the owner of the network has to secure it to prevent unauthorized access? Given the ease with which you can secure a network and still allow your customers access when they wish, I would think that this is a no-brainer.

Also, is there a law that says I can’t stand on the street corner, on the public sidewalk mind you (because I would hate to get arrested for loitering), and use the street lamp that the store is paying for to read a newspaper or book? Isn’t that unauthorized use of their electricity?