Question: Does US law allow users to access Open Access Points ? (ie coffees shops or -see photo- the Smithsonian Public Access Network from the Mall in DC? (I Skyped from this point to Yurop, which is now my coolest N800 story ).

I now realize that it is difficult for you Yankees (?) to answer questions like this, so perhaps I should add the statement Not To Ever Sue you on this.

Last Question: Should I be worried about the White VAN on the Photo ?

Ever Last: In Yurop Justice is perhaps more complex.

Breaking Codes (WEP or else ) is in principle not allowed, but Judges will only punish if any damage was caused. The last also applies to using open connections: You are allowed to use Open APs, (on terraces for example: Cafés install Routers for that purpose) However you are not allowed Wi-Fi-ing along with your neighbour (or your boss) to save your money. You will certainly be punished if you upload bad content using someone else's (router) IP.

Police will only act if complaints are filed. Police or Intelligence Services are not allowed to peep in on radio waves, unless for a specific purpose and authorised by a Government Commission and a Judge.

Young or innocent people (Yankees perhaps ...) will probably not be punished. Judges will expect everyone and in particular profesionals to act responsible and to install defensive hard- and software like encryption, code words etc. on their machines. So don’t blame the high school boy next door for hacking your passwords and publishing all your secret documents (or ‘special’ photos) on his School web.

.... I am not sure if anyone asked for all this but well ...

As Always, Have fun, Abel.