Kodi KILLERS - Major UK crackdown will block illegal streams within ââ¬Ëmonthsââ¬â¢
KODI is under threat as UK government looks to change internet laws with illegal streaming ââ¬Åhigh up on their agenda.ââ¬Â
Speaking about the measures being put in place Kieron Sharp, FACT Chief Executive, told Express.co.uk: "You'll be aware of the Premier League case which has led to the blocking of streams by ISPs.
"With these in place what you'll find is the effectiveness of the add-ons within the boxes is being affected and there could be more in the way of blocks in the future.
"Another thing that's really quite important is the legality of accessing the content by the end users and there's likely to be changes there as well.
"If you look at the Premier League case it's clear the judge has stated that accessing those streams is unlawful.
"We also know the government is consulting on changes in the law around this type of activity.
"It's high up on their agenda and I think they realise this is an important issue.ââ¬Â
The European Court of Justice has just ruled that streaming copyrighted material for free on multimedia players such as Kodi is illegal.
Last week's landmark EU verdict means pirate streams are now on the same legal footing as illegal downloads.
And thatââ¬â¢s not all Kodi users should be concerned about as thereââ¬â¢s also the problem of control over the content being beamed into living rooms
"There are more of these boxes out there and they do plug straight into the television set.
"You don't have the same sorts of controls and protections that you will see through traditional television which is highly regulated.ââ¬Â Mr Sharp warned.
"Furthermore, if you're accessing content on platforms such as Sky you clearly know when you're in a kids section or adult section.
"On these illegal streams you're seeing adult content right next to kids content - it's very dangerous at a time when the government has launched its internet safety strategy.
"The more flexibility the government has to move away from EU rules the more they will clampdown on this type of activity.
"I can see quite an escalation and a response from government that's going to compliment the measures that a lot of people across the industry are doing.
"There's a lot happening and the landscape will look quite a bit different over the next 12 months."
Kodi is clearly causing concern and to show how seriously the threat is being taken a number of arrests have already been made with one man accused of selling "fully loaded" boxes hbeing fined a massive ã250,000.
Malcolm Mayes, from Hartlepool, sold IPTV boxes, sometimes referred to as ââ¬ËKodiââ¬â¢ boxes or ââ¬ËAndroidââ¬â¢ boxes, which had been modified to allow the users to freely view content that should otherwise be paid for.
Following his guilty plea Mr Mayes was sentenced to ten months in prison (suspended for one year) and ordered to pay costs of ã170,000. A Proceeds of Crime Act order was also made against him for a further ã80,000.
Speaking about the arrests and ongoing crackdown Mr Sharp added: ââ¬ÅFACT are working together with The Premier League, and the broadcasters, Sky, BT Sport and Virgin Media, as well as a number of film distributors, to clampdown on the use of illegal IPTV boxes.
ââ¬ÅIn the past four months a number of raids across the UK have been carried out resulting in multiple arrests involving the unlawful sale of set-top boxes fully loaded with copyright infringing apps and add-ons.
ââ¬ÅConsumers need to be aware that devices that allow you access to premium pay-for TV channels without a legitimate subscription, or access to films that are not yet available to rent or buy, are illegal.
ââ¬ÅWhilst end users are not a target, they could get swept up in one of our operations and become part of the whole criminal investigation, which could lead to prosecution alongside the suppliers, retailers and importersââ¬Â
http://www.express.co.uk/life-style...lock-ban-UK-sky-premier-league-illegal-stream
