DISH Sues Pirate IPTV Operation for Copyright Damages

By iptv.legal , in News , at January 27, 2024

DISH Network has sued a pirate IPTV operation for copyright damages.

In an era where online video streaming is ubiquitous, the importance of safeguarding digital content has never been more critical.

This is primarily achieved through Digital Rights Management (DRM), a technology designed to control how digital content is used and distributed.

Widevine DRM, owned by Google, is a leading DRM technology utilized by major streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney+. The protection of such systems is crucial, yet they are not impervious to exploitation.

Recent Legal Actions by DISH Network and Sling TV

DISH Network and Sling TV have recently taken legal action against a pirate IPTV operation that allegedly earned over $20 million through illicit means.

The defendants in this case are accused of bypassing Widevine DRM to rebroadcast channels without authorization.

The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. federal court, specifically targets several individuals and companies from Georgia, including “Channel Wala” and “Doordarshan.”

The Role of Set-Top Boxes in Piracy

Central to this case is the sale of set-top boxes (STBs) through various online platforms, including Amazon. While the hardware itself is legal, the issue arises from how these devices were marketed and used.

The defendants reportedly promoted free trials and paid subscriptions through stickers on these boxes, which led to unauthorized access to content from Dish, Sling, and other media companies.

The Intricacies of the Legal Complaint

The lawsuit details how the defendants marketed their services, including distributing flyers and business cards in physical stores in Atlanta, falsely advertising their IPTV streaming service as an “Authorized Retailer” for Dish and Sling.

This constitutes a clear case of false advertising and misuse of Dish and Sling trademarks.

Detailed Accusations of DRM Violations

A more technical aspect of the complaint involves allegations of circumventing Widevine DRM through a specialized computer program.

This program reportedly tricked Sling’s DRM server into granting access and providing a decryption key, believing the request came from a legitimate device.

This allowed the pirates to upload and retransmit unencrypted channels to users without legitimate subscriptions.

The Response and Demands of Dish and Sling

Cease and Desist Efforts

Dish attempted to curb these activities last summer by sending a cease and desist notice to the defendants.

Despite this, the operation reportedly continued, with defendant Abhishek Shah allegedly encouraging resellers to disregard the legal threats and maintain their activities.

Seeking Injunction and Damages

In their lawsuit, Dish and Sling are seeking to recoup potentially millions in damages for each subscription sold, in addition to damages for trademark infringement.

They also demand a permanent injunction to terminate the IPTV operation and the destruction of all infringing products.

Conclusion

As the case unfolds, the websites involved have gone offline, but it’s uncertain if the reselling operations continue as instructed by the defendants.

This lawsuit underscores the ongoing struggle between content providers and piracy operations, highlighting the complex challenges in securing digital content in today’s digital landscape.

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of digital rights management and the enforcement of anti-piracy measures.

For more information on this lawsuit, refer to the official compliant (PDF) and report from TorrentFreak.

Legal Streaming Options

IPTV Wire can’t determine whether third-party IPTV services, apps, websites, or add-ons hold the proper licensing.

If and when a streaming website is deemed illegal, we notify our users immediately and update reports on our website like this one to reflect that information.

In conclusion, the end-user is responsible for all content accessed through free streaming sites, apps, and paid services.

See our detailed guide below for more information on the legality of IPTV and everything you need to know before streaming.

Is IPTV Legal? Read This

For 100% verified and legal IPTV providers, see the options listed below: