Football’s English Premier League has claimed another victory in its bid to clamp down on piracy after a man who supplied illegal IPTV boxes that allowed people to watch unauthorised content was sentenced to four years in prison.
Terry O’Reilly will serve the sentence, while Will O’Leary, a second supplier, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence. Both were convicted of conspiracy to defraud at Nottingham Crown Court.
An investigation by the City of London Police found the two men had been selling equipment to pubs and consumers, which facilitated to mass piracy, including the broadcasting of games from the English top flight on unauthorised foreign channels.
The Android-based devices would scan the internet for channels unlicensed in the UK showing coverage of matches.
The Premier League brought the prosecution, with support from the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
Kevin Plumb, director of legal services at the Premier League, said: “This case is particularly important as it is the first involving sellers of so-called IPTV devices which enable people to watch illegal content. The courts have provided a clear message: this is against the law and selling systems which allow people to watch unauthorised Premier League broadcasts is a form of mass piracy and is sufficiently serious to warrant a custodial sentence.”
FACT director general Kieron Sharp added: “As the first sentencing of IPTV boxes in England, today’s result should send a hard-hitting message to anyone involved in selling illegally modified set-top boxes. The sale and distribution of these boxes, which are loaded with infringing apps and add-ons allowing access to copyrighted content, is a criminal offence and the repercussions could result in years behind bars.”