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PRESS RELEASE: SUPPLIER OF ILLEGAL IPTV & ANDROID-TYPE BOXES JAILED

Premier League

9th December 2016

Issued by the Premier League - Friday 9 December 2016

Supplier of illegal IPTV and android-type boxes jailed for four years following Premier League prosecution

First case of its type sees suppliers convicted in Nottingham Crown Court  IPTV devices included apps and other add-ons which scanned the internet searching for illegal streams
Following the first legal case involving a supplier of IPTV and android-type systems which enable viewers to watch unauthorised content, an individual has been jailed.

Mr Terry O’Reilly was today sentenced to four years in prison. A second supplier who worked with O’Reilly, Mr Will O’Leary, pleaded guilty and received a two-year suspended prison sentence.

The Premier League brought a prosecution against O’Reilly and O’Leary because they both sold devices to pubs and consumers which facilitated mass piracy, including the broadcasting of Premier League football on unauthorised foreign channels.

The case was heard at Nottingham Crown Court where O’Leary and O’Reilly were both convicted for Conspiracy to Defraud. In bringing the prosecution the Premier League was supported by FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) following a significant investigation by the City of London Police.

The Premier League was represented by David Groome and Ari Alabhai of QEB Hollis Whitman.

Premier League Director of Legal Services, Kevin Plumb, said:

“Like other creative industries the Premier League’s model is predicated on the ability to market and sell rights and protect its 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.

This case is particularly important as it is the first involving sellers of so-called IPTV devices which enable people to watch illegal content. The Courts have provided a clear message: this is against the law and selling systems which allow people to watch unauthorised Premier League broadcasts is a form of mass piracy and is sufficiently serious to warrant a custodial sentence.

There can now be no doubt for consumers that these systems are illegal.”

FACT Director General, Kieron Sharp said:

“As the first sentencing of IPTV boxes in England, today’s result should send a hard- hitting message to anyone involved in selling illegally modified set-top boxes.

The sale and distribution of these boxes, which are loaded with infringing apps and add-ons allowing access to copyrighted content, is a criminal offence and the repercussions could result in years behind bars.

We would like to thank the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) for their early support in the investigation and we will continue to work with the Premier League and our other members to ensure sports broadcasts are fully protected.”

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Ratcliffe of the City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit said:

“This conviction shows how important working with industry and other bodies is to modern day policing.

Protecting our creative industries is vital to the UK economy and the millions of jobs that work within them and this case sends a clear message that this is crime that will be investigated and brought before the courts.”

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Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance 2024-2029 EU Manifesto

by AAPA • 1 October 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.”