TEN PEOPLE SUSPECTED of selling ‘dodgy boxes’ have been hit with legal letters by Sky as part of the latest efforts to curb the black market in streaming.

The major UK-based broadcaster, long with anti-piracy organisation Fact (Federation Against Copyright Theft), delivered the legal warnings to individuals operating across Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Galway, Laois and Limerick.

These cease-and-desist notices instructed those targeted to stop selling illegal IPTV subscriptions, commonly known as ‘dodgy boxes’, immediately or risk further action, including civil proceedings or referral to the Gardaí.

“Collectively, the services are believed to have supplied thousands of end-users and those accessing illegal services should be aware that their details may be identified and passed to authorities,” the Fact group said on Wednesday.

The latest campaign places the focus on the supply of illegal subscriptions, demonstrating that resellers continue to face investigation and potential legal action as part of the wider effort to disrupt piracy across Ireland.

Nick Sumner, Fact investigation manager, said that resellers are “often the direct link” between illegal streaming operations and the public who use the dodgy boxes.

“They sell subscriptions locally through personal recommendations, social media and messaging services, while exposing customers to unreliable services and wider risks involving fraud, malware and the misuse of personal information,” Sumner claimed.

“The individuals targeted have been given an opportunity to stop their illegal activity. Those who fail to comply should be under no illusion: the next step could involve civil legal action or referral to the Gardaí.”

The widespread take-up of dodgy boxes has come about amid cost-of-living pressures, with the price of one of the illegal streaming devices usually significantly cheaper than a normal streaming device.