In a month-long coordinated and sequenced UK-wide initiative, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and police targeted illegal IPTV operators across the UK, including London, South East England, West Midlands, North West, North East, North Wales and Scotland; from Essex to Dundee.
Forty such operators were identified, investigated, and served with official warnings, having been identified as providing unauthorized access to premium TV content, including film, television and live sporting events.
Cease-and-desist notices were delivered in person by FACT and police, and through post and email, instructing those running the services to immediately halt their illegal activity or face criminal prosecution. Three warrants were also served, leading to the arrest of a 42-year-old man in Nottingham, a 51-year-old man from Widnes and a 52-year-old man in Stockton-on-Tees.
Broader campaign
Those were part of a broader campaign to disrupt and dismantle piracy operations. Digital devices and ‘fully loaded’ smart TV devices or Amazon Fire sticks were also seized from the addresses and are currently undergoing forensic examination by FACT.
“The rise in illegal IPTV operators using modified Firesticks to unlawfully access premium content is a growing concern,” said FACT CEO Kieron Sharp. “This not only infringes upon copyright laws but deprives content creators and distributors of their rightful earnings and disrupts the economic balance of the creative industry.”
This enforcement operation has been separate from others announced recently by FACT, and has been mainly focussed on Amazon Fire sticks. The work leading up to this initiative had been underway over the past several months, but executed over one month and then announced in a single news release.
Collaboration with Sky
Sky actively works to remove listings and social media posts selling illegal IPTV subscriptions and ‘loaded’ Firesticks in the UK and Ireland. During this intensification period they removed more than 3,000.
“The action taken by FACT, police and Sky across the country sends a strong message to those involved in illegal streaming operations that they will be identified, and they will face consequences,” sid Matt Hibbert, Group Directcor of Anti-Piracy at Sky. “We are very grateful to our partners for this latest wave of enforcement, and we will continue to work together to protect consumers from the risks of illegal streams,” he said.
Initiative has been effective
It has been one of the largest operations to date, FACT and partners, including Sky, have taken action across the UK to combat illegal streaming and the use of unlawfully modified Firestick devices.
Intensified efforts over June and July have resulted in take-down of the majority of illegal services, and their advertising removed from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
“This is just the start of our enforcement efforts, with more actions planned,” said Mr. Sharp.
Further reading
Nationwide crackdown on illegal streaming with three arrests and 40 targeted. Press release. July 23, 2024. Federation Against Copyright Theft (UK)
Why it matters
FACT works with sports rights holders and broadcast partners, including Sky, The Premier League, TNT Sports and Virgin Media, to investigate and prosecute suppliers of illegal streaming services, other IP crimes, and those accessing illegal content. Illegal IPTV undermines broadcasters’ rights by diverting revenue streams, enabling users to access premium content without providing proper compensation.
