Today, anti-piracy group FACT announced that it has successfully completed yet another sweep. In collaboration with rightsholders, including Sky, the group helped police to identity various ‘sellers’ of so-called pirate streaming devices.

The targets reportedly offered ‘fully loaded’ smart TV devices or Firesticks, which can be used in combination with pirate IPTV subscriptions.

FACT mentions that 40 illegal ‘IPTV operators’ were served with official warnings. They were either notified via mail by FACT and police, or visited at their home, where a cease-and-desist notice was delivered personally.

The term ‘IPTV operator’ isn’t explained in detail but since the 40 seemingly got off with a warning, it’s unlikely that they played a central part in the broader IPTV piracy ecosystem.

These interventions took place across the UK, including in London, South East England, West Midlands, North West, North East, North Wales and Scotland. According to FACT, it’s part of a larger campaign that aims to disrupt piracy operations.

In addition to the warnings, police also executed three warrants, resulting in three arrests and house searches. All three suspects have since been released, but investigations remain ongoing.

  • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    3 months ago

    So this crackdown is really just punishing people that download content off the internet and put it on a device, then sell it to other people. As opposed to people who download content off the internet and put it on a device, and then keep it for themselves?

    So basically this is just a crank down on people who are not very technical.

    • invisiblegorilla@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      3 months ago

      They dont download. They just install some software to watch IPTV/P2P streaming and sell it on. Maybe they act as resellers for the IPTV service as well. There is a bloke down every pub that does this.

      The problem here is that this is bullshit. Police can’t be banging on doors because of civil copyright laws.