More foreign television networks are requesting the police in Malta to investigate the use of the Dreambox, an increasingly-popular satellite-based TV system.
The problem lies with illegal software patches and subscriber cards distributed by hackers
Sources said that Sky Deutschland has joined other foreign networks, including Discovery and the Union of European Football Associations, in complaining that licensing rights are being breached by card-sharing service providers.
When contacted Sky Deutschland would not confirm whether the network had been in contact with a local lawyer.
However, sources close to the company said that unlike other European countries, where the Dreambox and card-sharing issue was investigated and being taken seriously, the Maltese authorities seemed to be doing very little about it.
Last year, several people were arrested in the UK and other European countries, including Cyprus, for their participation in a satellite card-sharing website.
The police in Malta declined to give any details of the investigation, saying any comments could hinder the process.
However, police sources have confirmed that an investigation is underway and a number of people have been “spoken to”.
The Dreambox is a satellite receiver connected to a dish on the roof and the internet.
A series of codes are used to gain access to channels offering sport, films and other content. This is known as card sharing.
Although the Dreambox is often used illegally, possessing the device itself is not an offence.
The problem lies with illegal software patches and subscriber cards which are developed and distributed by Pay-TV hackers.
The legality issue of the Dreambox was highlighted by The Times in 2010, sparking heated reactions from consumers, who argued that pricey and “arrogant” local television service providers were responsible for the increased demand for satellite and internet-based connections.
At the time, police had said they would act if one of the injured parties filed a complaint.
Legal experts had warned that provision of access to licensed channels could be in breach of the Copyright Act.
Shops selling satellite reception equipment offer the system without the content but customers can quickly find outlets that provide card-sharing services.
Families typically pay between €15 and €35 for the service. They would have to subscribe to one of the cable television providers to be able to watch local channels.
Premier League and the Italian Serie A matches are available through the Dreambox but their transmission in Malta is illegal because no one holds the rights to transmit the games in Malta via satellite channels, such as Sky UK or Sky Italia.