Huge crackdown on Android-based “pirate” TV boxes
Police in Scotland have started a massive crackdown on “pirate” Internet TV boxes, TorrentFreak reported.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and police are targeting sellers of Android-based set-top boxes. TorretFreak said three torrent sites have also been closed down.
The focus in Scotland is on the devices being used to stream live sports.
“We estimated about 500 pubs might be involved, but today’s investigation has suggested it could be thousands,” a police spokesperson told STV.
“This is undoubtedly the biggest operation of its kind in the world in terms of recovery.”
AVSupply vs SAFACT and MultiChoice in South Africa
Locally, the Southern African Federation Against Copyright Theft (SAFACT) and MultiChoice brought charges against online retailer AVSupply over an Android-based media box it sold.
AVSupply pleaded guilty to offences not related to the Copyright Act, but to circumventing protection mechanisms. The retailer said it did not want to plead guilty, but felt it had no choice.
MultiChoice said it continually scans the environment and investigates any instances where its content is used illegally.
SAFACT said it is currently investigating several other matters, which may include online retailers.
More on the AVSupply case
Pirate TV boxes in South Africa: why SAFACT nailed the little guy
How MultiChoice trapped South Africa’s first convicted pirate TV box seller
The truth behind pirate TV box seller that MultiChoice and SAFACT nailed
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