Dutch police seizes illegal streaming boxes

[grimm]

The police in the Dutch city of The Hague has seized 245 illegal media players in a store, acting after a complaint from anti-piracy organisation Brein.

The media players were pre-programmed with illegal software, linking to unauthorised content such as movies and series from cinema and subscription services. The shopkeeper had stopped trading the boxes online, but continued to sell them in his shop.

Earlier this year, the European Court ruled the sale of media players pre-loaded with software that gives access to content that is unauthorised on the internet infringes the copyright.

After the judgment, Brein summoned shops and websites to stop their infringing trade and warned that they would start legal proceedings. Arrangements have been made with a number of traders, with settlements of to up to 10,000 euros and more.

Brein has also warned that intentional infringement is a criminal offense. Several hundred providers have stopped now, according to the organisation.

Brein also stepped up action against shops that continued selling the boxes with pre-loaded software.

“This merchant was summoned by us and went on stopping by his promise. We have therefore reported,” said Brein director Tim Kuik.

“These players cause great damage because people do not pay for the movies and series they watch. In addition, we also take action against software offerings if sold without a set-top box.”

(The picture shows a streaming box that claims free access, but is not the one actually seized in the The Hague raid)