In a major step against rampant TV piracy, industry watchdog FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), along with Sky, recently joined forces with local police units to crack down on illegal IPTV providers spread across the UK.
This mission, which spanned over three weeks, focused on stopping unauthorized broadcasts of premium TV and film channels, particularly those under the Sky banner.
The days unfolded with teams spanning different regions of the UK, identifying illegal IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) providers.
Armed with legal notices, they knocked on doors Dorset, Cambridgeshirethe (West Midlands, North Midlands).And Greater Manchester.
Legal warnings have been issued to IPTV operators either in person, by post or via email, making them aware of their illegal activities and potential legal repercussions.
The outcome of the operation was expressive. A total of 47 legal notices have been distributed to rogue IPTV providers, highlighting the extent of illegal IPTV operations in the UK.
With the delivery of these notices, many illegal services were removed, and their advertisements were removed, demonstrating the effectiveness of cease and desist notices in disrupting illegal IPTV operations.
One of the most prominent cases is the arrest of a 32-year-old man from… Ipswich By the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU).
Despite a prior cease and desist notice from FACT for selling illegal IPTV subscriptions, he continued with his illegal services until a thorough investigation by FACT led to his arrest.
Illegal IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) refers to unauthorized streaming services that distribute TV content over the Internet without the necessary rights or permissions from the content creators or owners.
Unlike legal streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, which operate within the law, have licensing agreements with content providers, and ensure a safe viewing experience, illegal IPTV services often provide access to pirated content, which may expose users to legal repercussions due to copyright . Infringement.
After the last operation Kieron SharpFACT CEO emphasized the risks associated with illegal IPTV services, such as exposure to malware, data compromise and identity theft:
“Consumers who pay for hacker services should also know that they are often funding serious organized crime groups.
“FACT and Sky remain committed to disrupting these criminal operations and protecting consumers from the many risks of illegal broadcasting.”
The IPTV battle is heating up
The battle against illegal streaming in the UK is not new. Several cases in the recent past underscore the risks and repercussions associated with IPTV piracy.
Some notable examples from this year alone, include:
Firestick Premier League Plan: In a case that saw the Premier League intervene alongside other bodies, the illegal IPTV operation was dismantled.
The operation has been found to broadcast English Premier League football matches to tens of thousands of customers Using “jailbroken” apps. On Amazon Fire TV devices.
IPTV scammers arrested: In another significant case, individuals participated in an illegal IPTV operation Which generated more than £7 million They were sentenced to mass imprisonment for more than 30 years.
The operation, which also illegally broadcast Premier League matches, had more than 50,000 customers and vendors, along with 30 employees.
BT Sports Chart: Mark Broccoli From Liverpool, it operated an IPTV service called “Infinity Streams”, which offered illegal streaming of BT Sport content.
Despite generating over £237,000 from over 5,000 sales, Broccoli’s operation ultimately failedWhich led to him being sentenced to five years in prison, although he remains at large
How to identify illegal IPTV services
Identifying illegal IPTV sites and services can be a bit difficult because they are often disguised as legitimate sites – and the low prices can certainly look tempting.
However, there are some red flags you can watch out for. The main indicator is the subscription fee – if it seems suspiciously low for the amount of content available, you should be wary.
The legitimacy of the content is another indicator. Illegal IPTV services often feature access to newly released movies or live sporting events without the proper license.
A quick check on the official websites of content providers or a look at a list of official broadcasters of live events (e.g. TNT Sports, Sky Sports, etc.) can help determine the legitimacy of the service.
In addition, legitimate streaming services have a professional appearance, clear terms of service, and a direct way to contact customer service, while illegal IPTV services may lack these elements.
Finally, consider payment methods. Legitimate services will provide standard payment options such as credit or debit cards, while illegal IPTV services may require payments in cryptocurrency or unknown third-party payment services.
As a rule of thumb – if an offer sounds too good to be true (several expensive streaming services offered at a low price within one service, expensive sports subscriptions that suddenly cost half, etc.) – it’s probably too good to be true. His belief is real.
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