Kodi boxes
are digital television boxes sold widely in the mainstream market in Amazon and
even Tesco. But these Kodi Boxes are the legal versions -- the illegal ones
come with add-ons and copyright infringing software that allows for streaming
from illegal channels. These "fully-loaded" Kodi Boxes -- the sale
and use thereof -- is illegal in the United Kingdom.
Or at least
everyone believes so. A landmark case in Hartlepool is guilty as charged for
selling Kodi Boxes with modifications and add-ons allowing end-users to stream
networks restricted for pay-per-view and other paid programming. Malcolm Mayes
sold his customers Kodi Boxes that could
watch the Premier Football League without having to pay anything.
According
to National Trading Standards Lord Toby Harris, the conviction of Mr Mayes --
having him pay £250,000 for the retail of modified Kodi boxes as a fine for his
illegal criminal activities -- should send a clear message that any person or
business "selling or operating such a device" are in breach of
existing copyright laws in the United Kingdom.
However,
the laws apply only to retail and not end-usership, which has many Kodi owners
of "illegal Kodis" fearing imprisonment for purchasing the devices.
According to the UK Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), the device
itself is legal even when loaded with illegal applications. Customers are even
free of trouble if they bought a "clean" Kodi box and download the
illegal applications.
