Last year, research firm Parks Associates found that 16 percent of U.S. households with broadband admitted either borrowing video log-ins or sharing their own credentials. For many people under 40, sharing is a relationship test: There’s dating and then there’s HBO-password official.

A few companies say they consider this behavior stealing. “Charter believes that password sharing is a copyright infringement,” said Nathalie Burgos, a spokeswoman for America’s second-largest cable company. “The intended use of the service is for members of the subscribing household. We would not encourage other uses,” said Todd Smith, a spokesman for Cox Communications.

From the article "You don’t have to feel guilty about sharing your TV log-in" by Geoffrey A. Fowler.