Retailer in the Midlands targeted in dodgy-box clampdown

A retailer in the Midlands was among those targeted in the latest clampdown on illegal dodgy boxes.

Fifteen retailers across Ireland have been targeted in the the latest clampdown of illegal dodgy boxes.

The retailers, who are located in Laois, Louth, Cavan, Donegal, Kerry, Kilkenny, Mayo, Meath, Wexford, were targeted by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

Working together with Sky TV, FACT delivered legal notices to the fifteen retail premises who were found to be selling subscriptions to illegal streaming services, supplying devices (dodgy boxes), or referring customers to sellers of the devices.

The operation, which took place on several dates across August, gave retailers a deadline to cease activities or they would face further legal action.

FACT has said this is the first time this kind of enforcement has been used directly on retailers but "shops are a crucial gateway for consumers being drawn into illegal streaming," before adding, "the vast majority have responded to the legal notices and have agreed to cease their illegal activities".

FACT is one of the main IP protection organisations in Ireland and the UK, working with rights holders, broadcaster and law enforcement to target and disrupt illegal piracy networks.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Chairman of FACT, Kieron Sharp, said the latest operation "shows that we are actively targeting every link in the illegal streaming supply chain. When shop owners sell illegal streaming devices, subscriptions or act as referral points to providers, they are supporting criminal organisations and generating criminal profits.

Mr Sharp said the notices given to the shops are not legally binding however, they do stipulate consequences for the retailer if they do not stop the illegal activity.

"We don't have any legal powers. This is just the serving of a notice to warn people. We know what they're doing," said Mr Sharp.

"We don't want to criminalise everyone, we certainly don't want to criminalise customers," he added, "We want to turn customers into legal paying customers and that's our focus here as well. This is a disruptive exercise."

Mr Sharp went on to say that people need to understand that using a dodgy box is not a "victimless crime".

"The money that's paid for, say, the sports rights by television companies has to be recouped in some way, shape or form, so all of those companies can produce this content.

"These are activities that the creative industries give to us and the things that we enjoy doing, and if you don't pay for them, they won't exist," he added.