In the UK, the IP protection body FACT, in close collaboration with police services, is making significant strides in disrupting and dismantling piracy operations across the nation. By zeroing in on suppliers who are illegally selling access to premium content like films, television shows, and live sports, they are taking a firm stand against intellectual property theft.

FACT's Battle Against Illegal Streaming - Protecting Rights

Intensified Enforcement Operation

During a two-week enforcement operation, FACT and the police targeted 30 suppliers of illegal IPTV services. These individuals were personally visited and served with cease-and-desist warnings via post, making it clear that they needed to immediately cease their illegal activities or face the possibility of criminal prosecution. The coordinated effort focused on disrupting the distribution of illicit Firesticks and other illegal streaming operations, covering various locations across the UK such as London, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the East and West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Northumbria, and North Yorkshire.This comprehensive approach has had a significant impact. As part of the enforcement action, South Wales Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Newport who was suspected of being involved in illegal IPTV operations, including the sale of illicit Firesticks. FACT and South Wales Police seized several digital devices, including Firesticks, which are now undergoing forensic examination. The suspect remains under investigation and could face serious criminal charges. Additionally, FACT issued a number of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, further disrupting illegal IPTV activity.Courts are showing no leniency towards illegal streaming operations. In November 2024, a private prosecution by the Premier League led to Jonathan Edge, a 29-year-old from Liverpool, receiving a three-year and four-month prison sentence for selling and using illicit Firesticks. Despite receiving a prior cease-and-desist warning from FACT, which he ignored, Edge continued his illegal activities. His sentence also includes a concurrent two-year and three-month term for personally accessing and viewing the pirated content he distributed.This targeted intensification period that ran through November has been highly effective. As a result, the majority of the illegal services have been taken down, and their advertising has been removed from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.Kieron Sharp, the CEO of FACT, commented, "Our cease-and-desist measures are not mere warnings; they are the first step towards holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately. If you're supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences."He added, "We will continue working with the police to track down and shut down these illegal operations. The police across the UK have been unwavering in their efforts to tackle this criminality, and we are grateful for their assistance. To those using illegal streaming services, the message is clear: you're not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk. These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no way to seek redress when things go wrong. The safest, smartest, and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment."FACT utilizes intelligence from Crimestoppers based on anonymous reports from the public and collaborates with sports rights holders and broadcast partners, including The Premier League, Sky, TNT Sports, and Virgin Media, to investigate and prosecute those involved in intellectual property crimes. Digital piracy undermines the rights of broadcasters and content creators by providing users with unauthorized access to premium content without proper compensation.