27/02/2017.

In response to concerns of TV broadcasters and owners of broadcast content  about the adequacy of current legislation to deal with the growing use of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) boxes to provide illicit access to subscription TV, the Intellectual Property Office is seeking informed views from stakeholders to help it decide what steps to take.

A range of legislation already applies to the sale and use of IPTV boxes, which are small plug and play media servers, originally designed to allow consumers to stream legitimate content.

Software – including illicit Kodi extensions – is widely available to connect the boxes to content through streaming websites, file lockers and BitTorrent trackers. Consumers can, therefore, illegally access subscription TV, sports and films for the one-off price of a box (usually £40-50).

The ease of use of these boxes, their availability from well-known online and high street retailers and the wide range of illicit content available are all considered to have contributed to a sharp rise in their use.

‘Illicit IPTV Streaming Devices – Call for Views’  is specifically targeted at those with knowledge of dealing with IPTV boxes and seeks views supported by clear, verifiable evidence.