Linkedin Mail Twitter
  • Home
  • News Feed
  • Resources
    • Piracy Monitor E-Newsletter Archive
    • Sources of legitimate online streaming offerings
    • Resources: Research from Government, Academia & NGOs
    • Resources: Research from Market Reseachers, Industry Orgs and Technology Suppliers
    • Resources: Technical Standards and Guidelines
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Soap Box
  • Consulting
  • Contact
Search
  • About Piracy Monitor
  • Be a Sponsor
  • About tvstrategies
  • Contact
Linkedin Mail Twitter
Piracy Monitor Piracy Monitor
Piracy Monitor Piracy Monitor
  • Home
  • News Feed
  • Resources
    • Piracy Monitor E-Newsletter Archive
    • Sources of legitimate online streaming offerings
    • Resources: Research from Government, Academia & NGOs
    • Resources: Research from Market Reseachers, Industry Orgs and Technology Suppliers
    • Resources: Technical Standards and Guidelines
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Soap Box
  • Consulting
  • Contact
  • Organizations
  • FACT UK
  • Anti-Piracy
  • Judgments
  • News
  • Piracy Sentencing
  • Piracy
  • Pirate apps
  • Social sharing
  • Regions
  • United Kingdom

UK: Pirate software developer sentenced to 30 months’ jail time

November 30, 2021
Sponsor ad - 728w x 90h (at 72 dpi)

The developer of a software package which enabled illegal access to BT Sport, SKY, Netflix and other subscription television content has been sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment.  It’s thought to be the first conviction of its type in the UK.  The action was announced by UK-based FACT, the Federation Against Copyright Theft.

According to FACT, Mr Stephen Millington, age 42, from Winsford appeared at Chester Crown Court on November 30, 2021, after pleading guilty to multiple fraud and copyright offenses, including making and supplying software to enable illegal access to subscription content, distributing infringing film content via a dedicated server he controlled, sharing login credentials for subscription streaming services and illegally accessing content for his own use.

Sponsor ad

Mr Millington was the creator of software package ‘stephen-builds’ which facilitated access to subscription television and film content without payment to the rights’ holders. He also supplied details of the ‘Supremacy’ and ‘Supremacy Sports’ add-ons, which enabled users to access that content via a group he set up and managed on Facebook, in which thousands of members were given instructions and support with use of the add-ons. Mr Millington also created multiple YouTube videos which helped users install the software and add-ons and demonstrated the ability of his ‘build’ to enable the viewing of subscription television and film content.

Image source: FACT (Shutterstock)

In addition to these offenses, Mr Millington shared login details for Netflix, allowing others to access his accounts.

During sentencing the Judge commented “When looking at loss in these types of cases you need to consider not only the companies that create and produce the content but also the loss to those who legitimately pay to subscribe.  There was sophistication in the way he created the (software) build.”

Read the full news release, by FACT 

Why it matters

The software package was distributed to thousands of users, enabling them to access premium television and film content without payment, and causing potential losses to the legitimate broadcast industry of millions of pounds per year.

“Enabling illegal access to content is fraud; a crime with serious consequences, as shown in this sentencing. It is now clear that the courts will hold those choosing to break the law to account, and will deliver convictions that will have a significant and long-lasting effect on individuals involved,” said Keiron Sharp, Chief Executive of FACT.

“FACT will continue to monitor channels used to advertise, market, sell and distribute software, add-ons, devices and streams to take action against suppliers and operators,” he said.

The FACT news release also contains comments from North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Greater Manchester Police, and FACT members BT and Virgin Media.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
From our Sponsors
Linkedin
Twitter
Email
Print
    Previous articleUK: Two arrested in Leicestershire for streaming piracy, equipment seized
    Next articleFight Club parent TrillerNet wins judgment against pay-per-view signal thieves
    Steven Hawley

    Recent News

    US Senate hearing on AI training: “The largest intellectual property theft...

    July 17, 2025

    Cloudflare adds feature to confuse AI scraper bots, drawing publishers praise

    July 15, 2025

    EU’s AI Code of Practice includes transparency, copyright and security requirements

    July 11, 2025
    Piracy Monitor
    Advanced Media Strategies LLC
    Camano Island, WA 98282
    USA

    All articles and site content is produced by Advanced Media Strategies LLC. Steve Hawley is Managing Director. Unless credited or bylined otherwise, all content on this site is © 2019-2025 Steven C Hawley. All Rights Reserved

    Phone: +1 206 930 2701
    Contact us: info@piracymonitor.org

    Recent research

    France: 4,919 blocking requests and 124,522 consumer piracy warnings in 2024

    June 23, 2025

    Anti-fraud programs saved European advertisers €3.45 billion in 2023, could have...

    June 20, 2025

    Italy: 38% of adults watched video content illegally in 2024, resulting...

    June 18, 2025

    Search Piracy Monitor

    Disclaimer

    Piracy Monitor (Advanced Media Strategies LLC) is not responsible for any errors contained in excerpts of third party content displayed or linked on this site.

    • Old Home
    • Newsfeed
    • Blog-Disabled
    • Resources
    • Video Piracy
    © tvstrategies - Advanced Media Strategies LLC