I recall seeing posts from posters claiming to be employees and they indicated the moratorium was in place. Then again, I've seen lots of people who really should know make claims that others called hogwash on. Such is the inconsistent nature of getting information from other than the source I suppose (not that CSRs are known for being any more correct in their advice).
In any case, due diligence is highly recommended to determine whether a particular box can be activated; whether it isn't leased or it isn't tombstoned as an obsolete model.
So you made it seems as if the poster may not be able to use the box he just got because you heard somewhere that someone claiming to work for Directv said it was so, even though someone else said it wasn't so. Okay.