IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) users have been sent a warning ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Championship supporters will get to see their sides in action this coming weekend, while fans of Premier League clubs will have to wait until August 15 for the 2025/26 campaign to get underway.
And there will be more top-flight matches available to watch, with Sky Sports set to broadcast at least 215 games, up from 128 in 2024/25.
But a stark warning has been sent to those who infringe broadcasters’ copyright by using illegal streaming services.
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As reported by the Irish Times, David Dunbar from County Wexford must pay €480,000 (£417,259) in damages to Sky after “conceding a High Court action taken by the broadcaster and telecommunications giant over his operation of a ‘dodgy box’ streaming service”.
Dunbar consented to the judgment made against him after “opting not to defend the civil case brought by Sky UK Limited over his infringement of the broadcaster’s copyright”.
On Tuesday, the judge, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey, said there was no doubt about Mr Dunbar’s copyright infringement. Alongside the damages he must pay, Mr Dunbar must also cover Sky’s estimated €100,000 (£87,000) legal costs.
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The judge also granted various permanent injunctions against Mr Dunbar, restraining him from operating IPTV.
IPTVs have been known to stream live sports, TV and films.
The report also states that “Mr Justice Sanfey reserved his judgment on an attachment and committal to prison motion moved by Sky over Mr Dunbar’s breach of several court orders.
“The court heard Mr Dunbar did not comply with various orders granted to Sky aimed at gathering evidence of his wrongdoing.
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“This included a refusal to comply with an Anton Piller order, which allows for entry to private premises for the purposes of seizing evidence.
“Theo Donnelly, counsel for Sky, instructed by Philip Lee LLP, submitted that Mr Dunbar had engaged in clear breaches of court orders”.
The case returns next month.
Back in 2023, Sky made its stance clear on IPTV users.
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As reported by the Mail, Matt Hibbert, Director of Anti-Piracy UK and ROI at Sky, said: “We understand the power of working with our partners to tackle the issue of illegal streaming, and we're grateful to FACT and law enforcement for their support.
“At Sky, we are passionate about protecting our content while ensuring consumers can enjoy the content they love, free from risks that illegal streams can pose.”
FACT stands for the Federation Against Copyright Theft, an organisation in place to protest British broadcasters from copyright infringement.
Topics: IPTV, Premier League, Sky Sports
Luke Davies