FACT is tightening its crackdown on illegal streaming

The UK’s intellectual property agency FACT, in collaboration with police, is stepping up efforts to disrupt and disrupt piracy operations across the country by targeting suppliers who provide unauthorized access to premium content, including film, television and live Sports, sell.

In a two-week enforcement operation, FACT and police targeted 30 providers of illegal IPTV services. These individuals were visited in person and received warnings in the mail instructing them to immediately stop illegal activities or face criminal prosecution.

The coordinated efforts focused on stopping the spread of illegal Firesticks and other illegal streaming operations. The crackdown covered locations across the UK, including London, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the East and West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Northumbria and North Yorkshire.

As part of the enforcement action, South Wales Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Newport suspected of being involved in illegal IPTV operations, including the sale of illegal Firesticks. FACT and South Wales Police seized several digital devices, including Firesticks, which are currently undergoing forensic examination. The suspect remains under investigation and could face criminal charges. Additionally, FACT issued a series of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, further disrupting illegal IPTV activities.

Courts are increasingly imposing severe penalties for illegal streaming operations, especially for those who do not heed warnings. In November 2024, a private prosecution brought by the Premier League resulted in Jonathan Edge, a 29-year-old from Liverpool, being sentenced to three years and four months in prison for selling and using illegal Firesticks. Despite a previous cease-and-desist warning from FACT, which he ignored, Edge continued his activities. His sentence also includes a concurrent prison sentence of two years and three months for personally accessing and reporting the pirated copies he distributed.

This targeted tightening period, which spanned November, has already proven extremely effective and has resulted in the shutdown of most illegal services and the removal of their advertising from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, commented: “Our cease and desist measures are not just warnings – they are the first step in holding offenders to account. Many who have ignored these tips in the past now face arrests and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately. If you provide or use illegal streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risking serious consequences.

“We will continue to work with police to track down and end these illegal operations. Police across the UK have worked tirelessly to tackle this crime and we are grateful for their support. For those who use illegal streaming services, the message is that you are not just committing a crime; You’re taking a risk. These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft with no recourse if something goes wrong. The safest, wisest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment,” he added.

Using Crimestoppers information from anonymous reports from the public, FACT works with sports rights holders and broadcast partners, including the Premier League, Sky, TNT Sports and Virgin Media, to investigate and prosecute those involved in intellectual property crimes are involved. Digital piracy undermines the rights of broadcasters and content creators by giving users unauthorized access to premium content without adequate compensation.