- Illegal Firestick streaming risks home loss and legal action
- Unauthorised streams expose users to data theft and cyber risks
- Illicit streaming costs film, TV industry over £400 million annually
Experts have cautioned that sports enthusiasts who “jailbreak” an Amazon Firestick to stream Premier League football matches or pay-per-view films unlawfully risk losing their homes in the event of a copyright infringement lawsuit.
Dozens of Facebook users claim to provide Firestick login credentials and “unlimited live channels” for as little as £40 per month. In contrast, Sky and TNT sports channels, films and other features cost approximately £100 monthly.
On the other hand, a householder who streams such services without paying a licencing fee exposes themselves to the risk of prosecution, which may even result in legal action before the High Court and payouts of six figures.
Advancing the case to a criminal court may result in significant incarceration terms.
After their operation was apprehended in May 2023, a group of five men operating an illicit streaming network worth £7 million were sentenced to over 30 years in prison.
Several individuals have been incarcerated for managing their streaming platforms, as evidenced by police visits to the residences of supporters who were recognised as users of these networks.
Additionally, individuals who install software onto their networks expose themselves to the vulnerability of data theft, which could grant unauthorised access to confidential data.
Certain criminal organisations intentionally compromise their competitors’ services with malware to squander their patronage.
The UK Film Council estimates that the annual loss to the film and television industry could exceed £400 million.
Samuel O’Toole, an intellectual property attorney from Briffa, told MailOnline, “This is not a “victimless crime.” Regarding copyright, intellectual property is everything.
Copyright is violated when content is viewed on a “jailbroken” Firestick without paying the appropriate licence fee.
Copyrighted material is considered private property. It cannot be utilised without the owner’s permission, as it was created and is in their possession.
In Mr. O’Toole’s opinion, Copyright infringement is analogous to trespassing on the counter of a local convenience store and swiping Mars bars.
“Sky is a major organisation.” However, copyright holders can only produce high-quality material if compensated adequately for their endeavours.
Additionally, law-abiding citizens suffer as a result of illicit content streaming. Sky and other service providers could decrease prices if all customers were reimbursed.
Individuals who violate copyright legislation may be prosecuted in civil or criminal tribunals, contingent upon the gravity and scope of the transgression.
The most severe penalties for violations may encompass substantial incarceration.
With an incentive, creators will continue to produce high-quality content, according to Mr. O’Toole, resulting in a net loss for all.
One potential consequence of a criminal case is the imposition of a ten-year incarceration sentence. That constitutes an enormous penalty.
“That is for criminal gangs, the larger fish, not an individual streaming from home.” Those who generate income through copyright theft will face incarceration.
However, the copyright holder could bring a home streamer before the Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court. You could incur costs of £60,000, and in the event of a loss, you would be responsible for the costs and compensation of the opposing side.
Businesses will determine whether the infringer possesses financial resources and assets before pursuing such a legal action. Pubs and other establishments that stream content illegally may be susceptible to this threat.
“This could potentially expose pubs and clubs that engage in unauthorised live streaming of sports events to legal liability, with the copyright holder seeking a monetary judgment against them.”
This could endanger a residence in the most severe instances, according to Mr O’Toole.
“With a £100,000 judgment obtained in a lawsuit filed by Sky or another copyright holder, they could seek an injunction against your home or other assets; therefore, you could potentially lose your residence.”
Beyond the legal risks that illicit streamers encounter, they also entrust access to your home computer network to a criminal organisation.
An apt analogy is to invite a fox into a henhouse. The information on your devices and tablets is sensitive. They could be utilised for online purchasing or banking.
You cannot entrust a corrupt organisation with access to your data, according to Mr. O’Toole.
A security expert in the industry stated to MailOnline, “Unauthorised IPTV services frequently function without adequate security protocols, thereby leaving users vulnerable to severe data breaches and cyber assaults.”
“Take a step towards financial freedom – claim your free Webull shares now!”
These malicious platforms can harvest personal information, including credit card details, thereby exposing users to the risk of identity theft and fraudulent activities. The accumulated information may be sold on the dark web, jeopardising the privacy of individuals.
Practically speaking, the stream quality is also likely to be less than ideal, characterised by “regular buffering problems and frequent service interruptions.”
However, authorities contend that illicit streamers may expose themselves to further dangers contingent on the activities of the criminal organisation providing the service.
Users using unauthorised streaming platforms risk installing malicious software, including malware, infections, and other detrimental programmes. Viewers who are not cautious may inadvertently obtain malicious files when they access content via unauthorised IPTV services.
“Such infections can compromise online security and cause severe damage to their devices.”
