Mumbai: The Malaysian ministry of domestic trade and consumer affairs (MDTCA) has raided an electronics outlet for allegedly selling illicit streaming gadgets that gave customers unauthorised access to entertainment and sporting events, including Premier League games. The Premier League and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the foremost anti-piracy alliance in the world, collaborated to organise the event.
The Johor Bahru-based retailer is accused of peddling a variety of gadgets, including SVICloud boxes. The devices had unauthorised software installed that gave users access to live sporting events, including Premier League content, as well as film and television programming. The retailer is suspected of running an illegal sales operation across numerous internet channels in addition to selling similar gadgets through their brick and mortar store.
The Premier League and ACE are among the first organisations to take action under Malaysia's new Copyright (Amendment) Act 2022. The amended Copyright Act strengthens copyright legislation and empowers authorities to take action against those who sell illegal streaming devices and illegal website operators.
Motion Picture Association executive vice president and ACE head & global content protection chief Jan van Voorn said, "We commend the Malaysian government for the recent amendments to the Copyright Act, which criminalises the sale of such illicit streaming devices. These new provisions have become a gold standard within the APAC region. We would like to thank the MDTCA for taking prompt action to shut down this illicit operation."
"IPTV piracy services like the one closed down today put consumers at risk of malware, undermine investment, reduce tax contributions to governments, and stifle creativity. We will continue to identify and interdict the operators of such online piracy services and work closely with Malaysian law enforcement agencies to protect the livelihoods of Malaysian and international creators and distributors," Voorn added.
Premier League General Counsel Kevin Plumb said, "We are extremely pleased to be able to put the recently amended Copyright Act into action. The strengthened legislation puts Malaysia at the forefront of copyright protection, making it very clear that anyone involved in providing or facilitating illegal streams is carrying out a crime.
"The Premier League is committed to fighting piracy in Malaysia and will continue to take action against those responsible for providing illegal access to our content. We want to ensure fans watch Premier League content in the best quality and safest way possible-and the majority do so via authorised sources. However, for those who don't, they must be aware that by using devices such as SVICloud, they face security risks and disrupted viewing experiences." Plumb said.
"I would like to place on record our thanks to the MDTCA for their cooperation and swift response to support this enforcement action," he added.
