Five people have been arrested, accused of selling set-top boxes modified to stream subscription football matches, television channels and films for free.<\/p>\n
The sale of so-called “fully loaded Kodi boxes” has been called a “top priority” by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact).<\/p>\n
The five traders were arrested in early morning raids.<\/p>\n
Fact said it believed the suspects had made in the region of \u00a3250,000 selling the devices online.<\/p>\n
Kodi is free software built by volunteers to bring videos, music, games and photographs together in one easy-to-use application.<\/p>\n
Some shops sell legal set-top boxes and TV sticks, often called Kodi boxes, preloaded with the software.<\/p>\n
The developers behind Kodi say their software does not contain any content of its own and is designed to play legally owned media or content “freely available” on the internet.<\/p>\n
Kodi software turns compatible devices into a “media centre” and is not illegal<\/p>\n
However, the software can be modified with third-party add-ons that provide access to pirated copies of films and TV series, or free access to subscription television channels.<\/p>\n
The sale of these so-called “fully loaded” boxes is currently the subject of a legal test.<\/p>\n
The five arrests were made in Bolton, Bootle, Cheadle, Manchester and Rhyl.<\/p>\n
Kieron Sharp, director general of Fact, said the arrests “should send out a clear warning to anyone involved in the sale and distribution of illegal set-top boxes”.<\/p>\n
“Set-top boxes loaded with apps and add-ons allowing access to copyright infringing material are very much illegal and anyone involved in selling these boxes should not be surprised to receive a knock on the door,” he said.<\/p>\n
Fact said it had co-ordinated its “day of action” on behalf of the Premier League and subscription television providers BT, Sky and Virgin Media.<\/p>\n
The five have been released on bail following questioning.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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