Is there a way around an early termination fee?

I began leasing a Direct TV DVR receiver in January of 2008, and now in August of 2008 I unfortunately need to cancel my service. When I called in to do this I was informed that all receivers come with a 24 month commitment to Direct Tv service.

This is the first time that I was aware of this commitment. The receiver in question was a replacement of an old TiVo box that I had for quite some time.

When the old TiVo receiver failed, I called up Direct TV, and they sent out a new receiver right away, no questions asked, and no mention of a 24 month commitment.

Can anyone suggest a course of action to take to get this early termination fee waived? I would have never agreed to take delivery of this new receiver if I had understood that it came with a 24 month commitment.