There has been a boom in live TV and on-demand entertainment services available to households with platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV readily available to watch.
But watching entertainment comes at a cost as subscription services have seen price hikes in recent months, particularly with sports plans.
This has led to an increase in illegal streaming and downloading with people using Amazon Fire Sticks or similar devices to illegally stream content.
This is a small device that plugs into the back or side of your TV — and can be hacked to unlock hundreds of premium channels.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT UK) is bolstering its efforts to combat illegal streaming, by warning people to “expect a knock at the door”.
A federation spokesperson said: “FACT constantly monitors the digital landscape to combat illegal streaming activities in the UK and Ireland. We utilise a range of methods to identify individuals engaged in unauthorised businesses that offer access to illegal streams.”
As reported in BirminghamLive, FACT said it relied on people reporting they have seen illegal streaming.
They added: “These reports are then investigated by our intelligence unit, and followed up with a rolling programme of action which includes conducting nationwide ‘knock and talks’.”
Visits, undertaken with police officers, “inform individuals about their activities and the immediate need to cease and desist or face further action or prosecution.”
Hand in hand with law enforcement, the federation continues to gather evidence to actively pursue legal actions against criminal entities.
Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006 covers “obtaining services dishonestly” and if found guilty, it could carry a 12-month spell in prison, or a maximum of five years if the offence was more serious.
Anyone accessing copyrighted TV shows is technically breaking the law, police say.
While the authorities are targeting criminal gangs who distribute dodgy fire sticks, conducting police raids and making arrests – they are also starting to create a list of names of people who are using the sticks illegally.
