More problems for Kodi and illegal streaming as a pair imprisoned in the latest crackdown

The crackdown on illegal broadcasting continues with two men in prison after selling illegal Kodi-style streaming devices to the public

Glenn Burrows and Darren Wicks appeared today in front of the Norwich Crown Court where they were sentenced

. Burrows was sentenced to 22 months in both cases for execution at the same time.

Wicks was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with a two-year suspension. He must also perform 250 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard how, in 2016, Burrows operated under the trade name "Ooberstick" and "Oober Media" and had several thousand customers using illicit streaming devices.

According to TorrentFreak, the company offered devices containing a customized version of the popular Kodi player that, illegally configured, could then allow free access to premium content.

Detective Sergeant Samantha Shevlin, "said:" I hope that these sentences will send a clear message that the use of illicit streaming devices to watch content without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal.

"The sale of these boxes has a huge effect on content owners, broadcasters and the general public who will eventually pay the price of dishonesty to others.

"The message is really simple – devices like this one or use one at home to watch content that you would normally pay violates the law."

This news comes after a salesman selling TVs " preloaded "that allowed viewers to watch free movies and high-end movies

Brian Thompson, 55, had initially dismissed the charges, opening the prospect of a landmark trial.

But he changed his guilty plea last month, and "Kodi" decoders, also known as "Android Boxes", allow users to stream subscriptions free of charge, including football movies and blockbusters. the Premier League.

At Teesside Crown Court, Thompson, Middlesbrough, was sentenced to a sales account and an advertising devices account "designed, produced or adapted for the purpose of allow the circumvention of effective technical measures ".

Judge Peter Armstrong told him: "If anyone had the illusion that such devices as these full Kodi boxes were illegal or not, they can no longer be in doubt."

" I have come to the conclusion that in all circumstances, an immediate custodial sentence is not required.

] "As a warning to others in the future, they may not be so lucky "

With millions of people across the UK using Kodi, it has become the focus of rights holders and authorities, but add-ons can be installed. which allows access to a large amount of premium content.

In addition to being illegal, illicit streaming devices that are often pre-installed with the reader may have other hidden dangers. A new study by Electrical Safety First, experts in electrical safety UK, and FACT, the UK's leading IP protection organization, have demonstrated the risk of these illicit streaming devices.

Popular Kodi style streaming boxes – and found 100 percent do not comply with national electrical safety regulations.

Product Safety Manager at Electrical Safety First, Steve Curtler said: "This year consumers who plan to buy an illegal broadcast device for Christmas must know that by plugging them in on their television, they could be potentially "We urge anyone with one of these devices to unplug it and stop using it immediately."

"Not only these devices violate the law, but they could put your loved ones at risk.