The mechanism to disconnect the power cord is patented, and the patent is not licensed to the end user. Using it to disconnect the power violates the patent and risks lawsuits. A copy-protection scheme is based on the AC signal sent through the power line. Cutting the power cable or turning off power is a circumvention that violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Bashing the screen in creates a derivative work that infringes on copyrights held by the broadcaster and producer.
