Liverpool Man Receives Suspended Sentence for Selling Illegal Streaming Devices
A 41-year-old man from Liverpool, identified as Mr. O’Donnell, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today for copyright infringement and related offenses. Mr. O’Donnell pleaded guilty to charges of supplying unauthorized access to premium content and circumventing technological measures.
The case highlights the growing issue of illegal streaming device sales that offer access to pirated content. These devices, often modified versions of legitimate streaming devices like Amazon’s Firestick, bypass legal subscription services and deprive content creators of revenue.
Investigation and Charges
Following an investigation by FACT, an anti-piracy organization, and Merseyside Police, Mr. O’Donnell was arrested in July 2023. The investigation revealed that he had been promoting and selling “fully loaded” Firesticks pre-configured with access to unauthorized IPTV subscriptions.
These subscriptions offered illegal access to broadcasts from major providers like Sky and TNT Sports. Mr. O’Donnell facilitated sales through direct contact, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and even delivered some purchases himself.
Sentence and Significance
Mr. O’Donnell received a two-year suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. The sentence serves as a warning to others involved in the sale of illegal streaming devices.
FACT and Merseyside Police emphasized their commitment to pursuing such cases and bringing perpetrators to justice. Detective Inspector Steve Frame from Merseyside Police stated their intention to “continue to work with FACT to identify anyone else involved in this form of criminality.”
Clarification on Firesticks
It’s important to note that Firesticks themselves are legal and remain available for purchase. The illegality lies in modifying them to access unauthorized content.
This case demonstrates the ongoing battle against illegal streaming and the efforts of authorities to protect intellectual property rights. The outcome serves as a deterrent and sends a clear message to those considering similar activities.
