Sky Ireland issues warning of ‘consequences' for 400,000 dodgy-box users

Sunday World

3 hours ago

Warning comes as the broadcaster is set to appear in the High Court after injunction and search order was issued against suspected dodgy-box operator
Sky Ireland is warning up to 400,000 dodgy-box users of 'consequences' if caught streaming
Sky Ireland is warning up to 400,000 dodgy-box users of 'consequences' if caught streaming sport or films using the illegal devices.
The warning comes as the broadcaster, along with other industry bodies, is set to appear in the High Court after an injunction and search order was issued against a suspected operator of a dodgy-box streaming service in Wexford.
The alleged operation includes piracy of Sky, Premier Sports, GAA+, LOITV and Clubber, among others, accessed by thousands of Irish dodgy-box owners and multiple resellers.
Two additional people associated with the dodgy box operation were also served with cease-and-desist notices by the industry anti-piracy body, Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact). The notices warned them to stop their 'illicit streaming activities' or face criminal prosecution.
An Ireland Thinks poll last year indicated that one in five people in Ireland use dodgy boxes or illegal streaming services.
We evolve our investigative strategies to crack down on illegal streaming
The devices, sometimes accessed from Amazon Fire Sticks or Android set-top boxes, often involve monthly subscriptions to resellers of the services of between €5 and €15 for illegal access to premium sport and movies.
'This action marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to combat illegal streaming in Ireland,' said Sky Ireland CEO JD Buckley.
Sky Ireland CEO JD Buckley. Photo: Sportsfile
'We continuously evolve our investigative strategies to crack down on illegal streaming and protect consumers from risks including malware, fraud and identity theft. Further action will follow with consequences for those identified as operating illegal services and for those who watch them.'
Asked about 'consequences', a spokesperson for Sky said it was 'exploring various options', including 'ongoing engagement with the DPC (Data Protection Commissioner)'.
Authorities are cracking down on 'dodgy-box' operators
An Garda Síochána previously said it did not pursue individual users of dodgy boxes, but it sometimes assisted in action against commercial operators of the services.
Earlier this year, Jimmy Doyle, the founder and CEO of Clubber, which shows club and under-age GAA matches from 14 counties, estimated that dodgy boxes were taking up to 40pc of his firm's revenue away.
He said the company wants to expand, including covering more female events, but that the use of dodgy boxes is threatening his plans.
'We have a network of local commentators and videographers who rely on Clubber's business to support them and their families,' Mr Doyle said.
'As people use illegal streaming to steal from Clubber, they are putting this entire eco-system at risk.'
A survey from Sapir Research this year showed more than two in five people who use dodgy boxes recommend them to friends and family, even though users are more liable to online scams than those who do not use the devices.
Illegal streaming directly impacts the investment going into Irish sport
Last summer, a 42-year-old Kildare man was jailed for 16 months after making €900,000 from King Kong Media, a dodgy-box operation that sold codes to access pay-TV channels to 5,000 customers.
'We strongly support this decisive action,' Mickey O'Rourke of Premier Sports said about the current High Court action against the Wexford dodgy-box operator.
'Illegal streaming undermines the sustainability of sports broadcasting, directly impacting the investment going into Irish sport, from grassroots to elite level. It also puts consumers at real risk.
'This collaboration between broadcasters, rights holders and authorities is essential to protecting the value of Irish content and ensuring that fans can enjoy their favourite sports through safe and legal channels.'
The head of GAA+, Noel Quinn, said pirating of its content hits its grassroots investment levels.
'The GAA reinvests 82 cents of every euro generated directly into schools, clubs, counties and provinces,' he said.