Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Premier League, Football
Marcus Chan
The use of Amazon Fire TV Sticks to illegally stream football matches during the 2024/25 season could potentially result in a severe punishment.
The rise of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology has contributed to an increase in illegal streaming of sport in recent years.
Despite the potential legal implications of illegally watching sport and the security risks involved, one in 10 Britons has admitted to using illicit means to view sports events – according to a YouGov poll conducted last year.
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Illegal IPTV streaming, which is often accessed through jailbroken Fire Sticks, has become increasingly popular given the rising cost of subscriptions to the likes of Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
However, these unauthorised streams are in breach of copyright law and are therefore illegal.
Prior to the 2024/25 Premier League season getting underway, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT UK) confirmed that it would be clamping down on those planning to use the Fire Sticks to illegally stream football and other sports.
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A spokesperson for the organisation 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.
"One of these methods is through our partnership with Crimestoppers to make it as easy as possible to report illegal streaming, and over the past we have seen a significant increase in the number of reports directly linked to Fire Sticks and illegal streaming."
The Fraud Act 2006 states that it is an illegal offence to watch TV or streaming services with paying the required fee to do so.
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Section 11 of the Act states that this covers 'obtaining services dishonestly knowing the services are made available on the basis that payment has been, is being or will be made for or in respect of them or that they might be; and avoids or intends to avoid payment in full or in part'.
Possible punishments for breaching copyright law in this way include a potential prison sentence, although its severity depends on the type of conviction.
If a person receives a summary conviction, they could face up to 12 months in prison. However, more serious cases could carry a maximum sentence of five years.
Meanwhile, there are more serious punishments if a person is found guilty of providing illegal streaming services.
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Two brothers were sentenced to a combined 11 years behind bars in August following a crackdown on illegal IPTV streaming, while a man in Greece was sentenced to eight years in prison in a similar case last month.
Intellectual property lawyer Samuel O’Toole told MailOnline in March that users of illegal streaming services could also be opening themselves up to potential financial penalties.
"If someone is using a 'jailbroken' fire stick, they are infringing copyright by viewing content without paying the appropriate licence fee," he said.
"Copyrighted material is personal property. It was created and owned by someone and cannot be used without their permission."
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"The copyright holder could take a home streamer to the Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court. There you could pay £60,000 in costs and if you lose you will pay the other side's costs and compensation as well," he added.