UK Police and Sky Join Forces in IPTV Raids: Four Arrested

By iptv.legal , in News , at March 2, 2023

UK authorities have joined forces with Sky TV to carry out nationwide raids against pirate IPTV operators.

While four individuals were arrested, over 200 cease and desist notices were also issued to pirate IPTV suspects.

Note: It’s important to keep in mind that not all IPTV services are illegal. There are several legal IPTV options available, which we note throughout our website.

Four Individuals Arrested for Pirate IPTV Involvement

In a nationwide crackdown against pirate IPTV services, UK police have arrested four individuals in collaboration with Sky and other broadcasters.

The operation targeted suppliers of illegal IPTV subscriptions and individuals who created and distributed software for accessing these services.

The four individuals arrested are believed to have been involved in the illegal streaming of thousands of channels, including premium sports and movie channels, to customers across the UK.

The police have seized a large amount of digital equipment, including servers, computers, and mobile phones, as well as cash.

A Detective Chief Inspector from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police commented on this situation:

“We hope that this period of action sends a clear message; PIPCU will continue to work with partners across law enforcement and the industry to take action against those who provide illegal streaming services and protect consumers against the risks associated with using them.”

The investigation was launched following complaints from broadcasters about the illegal distribution of their content.

However, one person was charged in relation to intellectual property theft and three people have since been released under investigation.

The police worked closely with Sky and other broadcasters to identify the suppliers and distributors of these illegal services.

They also worked with other law enforcement agencies to carry out arrests and seizures.

The crackdown on pirate IPTV services is a significant development in the fight against online piracy.

The police have warned that customers who use pirate IPTV services could be subject to legal action. They have also advised customers to use only legal, licensed services to avoid the risk of prosecution.

Sky has welcomed the arrests and seizures, stating that it is committed to protecting its intellectual property and the rights of its customers.

The broadcaster has also warned that it will continue to take action against suppliers and distributors of illegal IPTV services.

The crackdown sends a clear message that online piracy will not be tolerated.

The Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky stated the following:

“More and more effective action is being taken against the criminals behind big piracy operations and we thank PIPCU and all the police forces involved. We will continue to support these efforts to shut down these pirate networks and help protect consumers.”

The police, broadcasters, and other rights holders are working together to tackle this growing problem and to ensure that consumers have access to legitimate, high-quality content.

Overall, the arrest of these four individuals and the seizure of their equipment is a significant step toward combating the illegal streaming of copyrighted content.

It serves as a warning to others who are involved in similar activities and sends a message that the authorities are taking this issue seriously. Customers are advised to use only legal services to avoid any legal consequences.

You can refer to the official report below from the City of London Police.

City of London Police – Press Release

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen notable IPTV services in the crosshairs of media giants and anti-piracy authorities.

Legal IPTV Options

It’s impossible for IPTV Wire to determine whether unverified IPTV services, apps, or add-ons hold the proper licensing.

If and when an IPTV service 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 IPTV 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.

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