Fans who use IPTV to illegally stream sport at risk of '10 year prison sentence' as organised crime warning sent
A warning has been published by Trading Standards.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Premier League, Football
Ryan Smart
Topics: Premier League, Football
Fans who use IPTV to illegally stream sport have been warned that they could potentially receive a heavy prison sentence.
With the subscription costs for mainstream broadcasters, such as Sky Sports and TNT Sports, continuing to rise, fans have turned to alternative methods to watch live football and other sport in recent years.
They include Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), which delivers television services and programmes through the use of broadband and related technologies.
But broadcasters and football organisations, including the Premier League, have begun to crackdown on the providers of illegal streaming services, and those who choose to distribute it to others.
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In August, two brothers received a combined jail sentence of 11 years after they were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud between 2012 and 2019. They used IPTV to provide paid content for £200 a year.
And in October, Greek outlet Skair.gr (via TorrentFreak) reported that a man was sentenced to eight years in prison and handed a fine of around £14,000 for setting up illegal IPTV streams.
Now, viewers of illegal streams have been sent a strong warning by Trading Standards.
A post on their website warns of the dangers of using illegal devices to stream content, including malware, viruses and spyware, electrical safety and links to organised crime.
The post continues with the warning of a prison sentence for those who illegally stream - but adds that the law will 'most likely' target those who are selling the illegal content as part of a business.
It reads: "The Digital Economy Act 2017 means people can now face ten year prison sentences for illegally streaming copyright content.
"However, the new law will most likely target individuals and groups making a business out of selling illegal content.
"An increasing number of IPTV systems are being sold to publicans to allow them to show live Premier League football and other sporting events without paying subscription charges. Landlords who are convicted of illegally streaming sports events can face fines of over £20,000."