The decision by Sky to issue warning letters to around 200 users of so-called dodgy boxes is a significant escalation in its actions against this unlawful activity. The company confirmed yesterday that it had issued the letters to subscribers to the illegal IPTV is Easy service, many of them in Co Wexford. Where an individual does not engage, the company warns, it is prepared to pursue legal action.
The move follows a recent court case taken by Sky against the IPTV is Easy service during which Revolut was ordered to provide information about subscribers to Sky. Those receiving the letters have effectively been told to confirm to Sky that they will no longer use illegal streaming, or risk facing further legal action. This could include Sky seeking an injunction to stop people using the service or even seeking damages, it warned.
Previously, the courts have been asked to shut down illegal streaming services, but not to take action against subscribers. Given that an estimated 400,000 use these streaming services, taking individual action on a wide scale would not be feasible. But Sky will no doubt reckon that the letters and the resulting publicity will act as a powerful deterrent to at least a proportion of those with dodgy boxes. Whether it actually takes any subscriber to court remains to be seen, though the move is a clear demonstration of its frustration with the lack of enforcement in Ireland.
The main focus of legal action is likely to remain the operators and resellers of illegal services. There has been discussion of a simpler penalty system for users of illegal streaming – some other countries, including Italy, have such an approach in place. There is also a drive against illegal streaming in the UK. However, politicians here have to date shown little appetite to put rules in places which would hit subscribers.
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The goal of Sky and the other services which supported its legal action will have been to send out a warning shot to users. Dodgy box users are infringing intellectual property law, trampling on the rights of creators and pushing up bills for compliant consumers.
