Thousands of homes across the UK access premium content through free streams. Many avoid paying companies -such as Sky – a subscription for entertainment with the cost of living stretching household budgets, but UK authorities have become wise to the trend.
Illegal streaming crackdowns have occurred this year with new restrictions on the horizon for those skirting by without paying for access, reports The Express .
Police action is even being taken – officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police recently searched a residential address in Wolverhampton.
The operation saw a 38-year-old-man arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement and money laundering after being suspected of selling illegal streaming bundles.
These packages included unlawful access to Sky channels like Sports, Entertainment and Cinema but those who may have signed up could find they are left with a blank screen.
Searches were carried out at four additional business addresses in Wolverhampton and Coventry, according to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit.
A server was confiscated in the searches, which was being used to host the illegal streaming service.
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, said: “Illegal streaming is a huge issue for the entertainment and creative industries and, while it may seem like a low-risk, high-reward crime, the proceeds are used to fund other serious forms of criminal activity.
“At the same time, it can expose end users to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware. The message of this operation is clear: if you sell illegal streaming services, you will be caught and held to account for your actions.”
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, added: “When people illegally stream they provide their personal information to criminals and the risks that result are very real.
“We are grateful to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for leading this action. We’ll continue to do everything we can to protect our content from theft, and to help keep consumers safe.”
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