DStv owner nails streaming pirate

MultiChoice has confirmed that it conducted a successful raid in partnership with police detectives and arrested a suspect in Gauteng involved in acts of piracy.

Jurgen Johannes Potgieter is suspected of having sold login credentials and Internet streaming pirate devices, according to MultiChoice.

According to MultiChoice, he violated the Cybercrime Act by providing illegal access to premium content and is also believed guilty of money laundering, facing multiple charges on this front.

The arrest also resulted in the confiscation of numerous pieces of equipment, which the police have yet to analyse.

Potgieter has been detained and will appear at Lenasia Magistrate Court today.

This follows a series of successful raids in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“This raid highlights our continuous efforts to dismantle illegal operations that undermine the creative industry,” said Irdeto broadcast cybersecurity and anti-piracy director Frikkie Jonker.

Jonker commended the police on their professionalism, which he said significantly contributed to the raid’s success.

He mentioned that the company is bolstering its anti-piracy efforts and that more raids are imminent.

In addition to Irdeto’s efforts against piracy, Partners Against Piracy is working alongside local governments to address intellectual property (IP) infringement.

The initiative is an Africa-wide multi-stakeholder partnership that aims to increase collaboration on information sharing, IP law enforcement, and piracy reduction.

Agencies involved include the Serious Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks, South African Police Services and the Cybercrime Units in various provinces.

“Content piracy involves the unauthorised acquisition, use, sharing or selling of copyrighted content. Put simply, piracy is stealing,” MultiChoice said.