Four former IPTV service operators have received prison sentences totaling over 10 years in the UK.
These four individuals involved in the illegal streaming of copyrighted material were convicted of money laundering and fraud for offenses against BT Sport and Sky.
We want to know your thoughts after reading this story in the comments below. What do you think of these former IPTV operators getting a total of 10 years in prison?
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As reported by TorrentFreak, these four individuals were sentenced at Southampton Crown Court after being convicted in connection with IPTV services and copyrighted material, including content owned by BT Sport and Sky Sports.
Although no specific service or name is mentioned, authorities suggested looking into an online handle named “MIKEY1234” who was involved in several related forums.
This “MIKEY1234” handle was also found to be involved in the development and distribution of Kodi addons that promoted access to copyrighted content.
An anti-piracy organization in the UK called FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) eventually traced the MIKEY1234 handle to four individuals.
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FACT then released the names of the four individuals being convicted and their Chief Executive, Kieron Sharp, stated the following on this situation:
“The individuals sentenced were involved in running a criminal enterprise that generated substantial profits with no regard for the rights of content owners. FACT continues to pursue those operating illegal streaming services who risk criminal convictions and forfeiture of assets.”
You can view the official press release of this story below.
Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Press Release
*Note: We found this site to be geo-blocked and had to connect to a VPN server in the UK to access it.
This isn’t the first or last time we have seen IPTV operators in the crosshairs of authorities:
What do you think of these former IPTV operators being sentenced to prison totaling over 10 years?
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I think it’s only fair in light of the fact that, originally, the whole concept of cable, and other forms of “pay tv” was that it was commercial free! Now, we pay more than ever before, for essentially commercials, with a LITTLE programming sprinkled in here and there! How and why did we ever become gullible enough to fall for that in the first place!!?? And I worked for cable companies for decades, so I know what I’m talking about.
This is the same Ted Turner scrambel greed we BUD dish owners seen in the late 70’s and i enjoyed hacking sense then! from the motorolo boxes with the soder in changeable ic chip base with re program able chip, to the dave and charly rewire and and ad chip base and re program, and fta set top boxes you could write to, as well as enter a lot of numbers and unlock, to are today android devices. ps no mater what they do we will figure out how to undo, i have never paid for TV. oh! other than the boxes, or sticks, or parts, or antenna, or TVs, untill now , i have a great service at a great price, and i too have 39 ota channels. one last thing, i live up a holler and only had 3 ota channels, so i am doing great. my friend had dish and got laid off after 13 months, and had to cancle his service, they still charged him for the other months left on his contract after he sent back the lnb and set top box, then recorded lien on property, and then sent to credit reporting agents.
I do not think it is fair that the four iptv providers was sentence to 10 years although the charge for money laundering is a serious crime. Now providing a way for the consumer to cut the cord; it should not have been a issue.
Speaking for myself the cost of cable or satellite is too expensive and not worth the price charged. Old series, old movies just continue to repeat constantly everyday.Buffering & freezing picture quality with a slow internet. The cable & satellite companies feels threats from the iptv providers. Their customers are ending services instead of renewing; they just want internet services, so the cable companies are trying to force their services on the consumers with no alternatives.
Dish, ISP’s, and Cable Companies are merely pirates hiding behind corporate entities. The money charged for the services they provide are not justifiable. They monopolize the service areas and raise rates at their discretion. They all provide garbage streams and use marketing BS to separate customers from their money. Cable and satellite companies should stop crying and improve their own services. Let the one without greed cast the first stone. How can they claim they have damages. When they have damaged end users for decades with commercials, propaganda and their own service rates. There should be a class action lawsuit against all of these corporate cable pirates. Their greed has no bounds!
arrest violent offenders, leave the rest of us alone
Its a damn shame for cable providers to charge people up to $200 + dollars to watch basic channels. Now that should be against the law. Especially the prices of everything else is going up in this country except the working men and women pay checks.
You are so correct!
Why is watching TV “over the air” via antenna any different than streaming that same content?
VCR’s are permitted to record tv and broadcast movies, why can’t we stream that same content?
You hit the nail on the head, greedy companies trying to squeeze the little consumer even more. They need to make content cheaper and they will retain customers.
This just is another example of the greedy cable, satellite, dhl companies wanting to menopolize the Entertainment industry. They don’t want to give the public a break, as their greed is controlling it all. The 4 guys are being punished for stepping on their greedy toes. The public who pays for their services have a say too. Laws have to change on how much they can charge the public, and leave some room for more services that these guys were sentenced for. There’s plenty of room for all to benefit, without being so greedy.
I’m sad these guys were sent to prison but if you live by the sword you die by the sword.There are plenty of others to take their place.
Sky and BT take note prices too expensive especially in todays current financial climate.
Money Laundering was one of the charges, was that the main factor?
Hope they get kodi in prison. Seriously, stiff sentence but probably made millions and I hope they have it hidden
What NO ONE ever states is the fact Municipality corruption along with State and Federal corruption is why people feel just fine using black box apparatuses to view what they want whenever they want. Because that’s the way it used to be. TV was completely free untill corruption at the highest levels LITERALLY STOLE it from us. Pay for TV cable came WITHOUT A SINGLE CITIZEN VOTE. These four should’ve brought that up as a defense and turn the game against their accusers because these prosecutors are part and parcel to all corruption.
You mention that TV was completely free before cable companies came into being. Guess what, it is still free. I get 40 FREE channels.
It’s a bullsgit deal. All they did was provide a service that the big cable companies lacked. They should look more into they were providing to customers instead of how wealth they can achieve by giving customers bs channels and service.
I suspect that pirating content would never have gained the momentum that it has, had it not been for the greed of providers. For example, before I became “tuned in,” I was paying up to $300 a month for viewing services. Thus, I applaud those who have found ways around this greed, and I’m sorry these guys got caught.
If the content provided is a pay-to-view I can see it. But, if it’s over the air transmission thT is a compleatly different story. The Internet then becomes just a other BIG tra smission tower and the stations just get wider distribution.
Absolutely agree!