Dodgy Box Sellers Face Huge Damages After Court Ruling
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Irish High Court Finds Three Liable for Copyright Infringement in Illegal Streaming Case
Table of Contents
Updated October 24, 2023, 23:27:17 GMT
Overview
The High Court in Ireland has ruled against three individuals – Andrew Keena, Stephen McBride, and Carol Thornton - finding them liable for copyright infringement related to the sale of “dodgy boxes,” devices used to illegally access television streaming services. The judgment, delivered by Mr.Justice Liam Kennedy, potentially requires them to pay Sky UK Ltd. hundreds of thousands of euro in damages.
The Case Details
Sky UK Ltd. brought the case against Andrew Keena, Stephen McBride, and Carol Thornton, alleging that their activities facilitated the unauthorized access to sky’s television services. The defendants did not appear in court to defend themselves. Mr. Justice Kennedy granted judgment in favor of Sky UK Ltd. in two separate cases.
The court issued permanent injunctions prohibiting the defendants from continuing copyright-infringing activities, making infringing material available, transferring related source code or technology, and advertising these services. The specific addresses of the defendants are: Andrew Keena, Mariner’s Court, Blackrock, Co Louth; Stephen McBride and carol Thornton, both of Defenders Row, Dundalk, Co Louth.
Financial Impact and Evidence Presented
Damien Gilmore, an investigator for Sky Subscriber Services Ltd., provided affidavits detailing the estimated financial losses incurred by Sky due to the defendants’ activities. Gilmore estimated Mr.Keena’s annual losses to Sky at €643,860, based on an average revenue of €73 per Sky customer per month.
Mr. Keena’s operation, conducted through an entity called ”Interstellar Media,” generated revenue of €69,825 annually from 735 customers paying €95 per year. This customer base was identified through a Facebook group dedicated to providing details about Interstellar Media’s services. the court will assess the total damages at a later date, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of euro.
| Defendant | estimated Annual Loss to Sky | Revenue Generated (Interstellar Media) | Number of Customers (Interstellar Media) | Customer Cost (Interstellar Media) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Keena | €643,860 | €69,825 | 735 | €95 |
| Stephen McBride | To be steadfast | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Carol thornton | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
What are “dodgy Boxes”?
“Dodgy boxes” are typically modified Android boxes or similar devices pre-loaded with applications that provide unauthorized access to paid-for television content. These boxes circumvent subscription fees by offering access to channels and on-demand services without a legitimate subscription.They often utilize IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) technology and can be easily obtained online.
The legality of selling and using these boxes has been increasingly scrutinized by copyright holders and