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PRESS RELEASE: SPANISH NATIONAL POLICE, PREMIER LEAGUE AND IRDETO JOIN FORCES...

AAPA

15th February 2017

TO SHUT DOWN ISP RUNNING PIRATE IPTV SUBSCRIPTION BUSINESS

Global anti-piracy investigation leads Police to raid a local ISP in Malaga offering unauthorized Premier League matches and 100+ international pay TV channels

AMSTERDAM , 09 February 2017 - The Spanish National Police announced today that they have successfully raided a store in a Calahonda shopping center in Málaga, Spain owned by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) suspected of hosting a large-scale illegal IPTV streaming business, thanks to a collaborative effort with Premier League and Irdeto. Investigations revealed that the ISP in question, known as "Y Internet," was being run by two U.K. citizens and providing unauthorized online subscription services featuring more than 100 international pay TV channels, including Premier League matches. At the time of the raid, five of the company's 10 employees were present, including the system administrator who was in was in charge of the operation of the servers used to provide illegal access to the channels, an IT technician in charge of preparing the illicit devices and three sales managers. [Click here to watch Police video of what was found at the scene].

Y-Internet sold illegal IPTV service packages with annual contracts to the large foreign population in the Malaga region, including hotels, pubs, neighborhoods and individuals. This included reception devices that were adapted to receive decrypted pay TV signals without authorization. An Irdeto investigator told the Police that he went to the store in the shopping center where the employees showed him the device and services available. The representative supplied as evidence the reception device and a premium subscription purchased for 450€ from the store.

The investigation was initiated by the Premier League as part of a global crack down on illegal online redistribution of its live broadcasts. Engaged by the Premier League for piracy detection and investigative services, Irdeto's team of experts worked closely with the Spanish National Police to gather information and evidence leading to the raid.

Premier League Director of Legal Services, Kevin Plumb, said: "The raids conducted by the Spanish authorities, supported in this case by Irdeto's expertise, are a positive example of law enforcement taking seriously piracy and IP infringement. This approach is essential for organisations like the Premier League - and other creative industries - as our model is predicated on the ability to market and sell rights and protect intellectual property. It is because of this that clubs can invest in star players and managers, and world class stadiums - the very things fans enjoy about our competition."

"These raids follow a recent case we brought in the U.K that saw a supplier of IPTV devices which enable mass piracy of Premier League football sent to prison for four years. It was the first case of its type and the fact police, both in the UK and in Spain, are now targeting and arresting others selling similar devices is further evidence for consumers that they are illegal."

Once sufficient evidence of illicit activity was found, the store in Malaga was raided by the Police. While entering the premises, the agents were confronted with strong security measures inside including a surveillance system that allowed the owners to supervise the employees from the UK, where they are currently living. The raid alerted the owners who tried to remotely delete and destroy files, payment transactions and clients' records. However, the quick and effective actions of the Police prevented this from happening.

"We are grateful to the Spanish Police for their support and decisive action against IPTV piracy," said Mark Mulready, Senior Director, Cyber Services & Investigations at Irdeto. "We will continue to work closely with our customers, partners and law enforcement agencies to detect, analyze, investigate and counter all types of piracy affecting on-demand and live real-time content. This is a growing problem affecting content owners, broadcasters and operators across the world. Efforts like this are more critical than ever and set an example that piracy will not be tolerated."

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About Irdeto
Irdeto is the world leader digital platform security, protecting platforms and applications across multiple industries, such as media & entertainment, payments and automotive. Our solutions and services enable customers to protect their revenue, create new offerings and fight cybercrime. With nearly 50 years of expertise in security, Irdeto's software security technology and cyber services protect over 5 billion devices and applications for some of the world's best known brands. Our unique heritage as a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers (JSE: NPN) means that we are a well-established and reliable partner to help build a more secure future. Please visit Irdeto at www.irdeto.com.

For further information, please contact:

Katie Walsh
Director, Corporate Communications, Irdeto

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Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance 2024-2029 EU Manifesto

by AAPA • 01 Oct, 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) publishes its first Manifesto, linked here . The document aims to recognise past efforts of EU legislators when it comes to content protection and the fight against copyright infringement, whilst admitting that more can and should be done to address this growing issue. Miruna Herovanu, Executive Director of AAPA said : " After years of laying the groundwork to combat online piracy it’s time for EU policymakers and beyond to fully acknowledge that decisive, targeted measures are needed at the European level. The rise of digital theft demands action. We call for strong political resolve to end the theft of our members' content. We're ready to support every stakeholder—law enforcement, policymakers, and industry representatives—to dismantle criminal networks and protect European consumers from harm."

AAPA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by AAPA • 28 May, 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) has announced the appointment of Miruna Herovanu as its Executive Director. Miruna was previously the Director at the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand in Europe in charge of Intellectual Property and Competition policies. She took up her position with AAPA on 27 May 2024 and will be based in Brussels. Miruna will replace Sheila Cassells who is retiring as Executive Vice President of AAPA and will report on a day-to-day basis to the two Co-Presidents, Mark Mulready, VP of Cyber Services at Irdeto and Oliver Pribramksy, Head of IP Protection and Committees at the Deutsche Fussball Liga. She will be responsible for the implementation of the strategy agreed by AAPA members, managing relationships with law enforcement agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, INTERPOL and the European Institutions, delivery of AAPA’s Working Group goals and general management of the Alliance. Mark Mulready said that: “We are delighted to appoint someone of Miruna’s calibre and experience to become the Executive Director of AAPA. Miruna’s commitment to copyright protection is well-known. Her knowledge of the Brussels institutions and the EUIPO will stand AAPA in good stead for future policy developments. A priority will be for Miruna to work closely with AAPA members, the EUIPO and the European Institutions to deliver on, inter alia, the goals of combatting online piracy of sports and other live events recommendation.” Miruna Herovanu commented that: “My professional experience demonstrated that piracy is an ever-growing issue that eats at the heart of Europe’s most important industries. This is a golden opportunity and a new professional challenge that will help further develop my passion for and commitment to protecting copyright. Being able to work with and support industry experts and practitioners in AAPA, law enforcement, the European Institutions and other trade associations is essential to the fight against piracy. I am excited to be taking on this role.”