Police are investigating the use of the popular satellite-based TV system Dreambox following complaints filed by foreign networks.
We take the issue of piracy extremely seriously- Discovery Europe
Although the police would not officially comment on the ongoing investigation, sources confirmed they are probing the service providers rather than those who have purchased the console.
The sources said that at most, those who have a visible satellite on their roof may be questioned to establish if they have a Dreambox satellite receiver. Police may also ask for information related to the recipient of the monthly fee for the service.
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 sports, films and other content. This is known as card sharing.
Although the Dreambox is often used illegally, the device itself is not an illegal receiving unit. The problem lies with illegal software patches and subscriber cards which are developed and distributed by Pay-TV hackers, often for half the price of the originals.
Sources said large companies had been in contact with a local law firm to file a complaint so that police start investigating. The sources mentioned the Discovery Network and Uefa.
When contacted, a spokesman for Discovery Europe would not confirm his company had been in contact with a local lawyer.
However, he added: “While we do not wish to comment on an ongoing legal investigation, we take the issue of piracy extremely seriously and we are keen to work with industry bodies and partners to help counteract piracy.”
According to 2010 Broadcasting Authority figures, more than 30 per cent of households have satellite or internet-based TV connections like Dreambox.
The figure indicates a marked increase of 23 percentage points over the previous year when only seven per cent of households registered such connections.
The legality issue of the Dreambox was highlighted by The Times last year, sparking heated reactions from consumers, who argued that pricey and “arrogant” local Melita and Go providers were responsible for the increased demand for satellite and internet-based connections.
Legal experts had warned that such provision of access to licensed channels could be breaching the Copyright Act but they questioned how possible it would be for anyone, including the police, to challenge it since many websites already provide free streaming of many licensed channels.
The police had said they would act if one of the injured parties filed a complaint.
Shops selling satellite reception equipment offer the system without the content. Other stores ask customers for their IP internet address to furnish them with the codes to unlock their favourite channels. This comes against a monthly fee of between €15 and €36, with the cheapest giving the user access to the basic channels.
Premier League and the Italian Serie A matches are available through 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.
Earlier this year, several people were arrested in the UK and other European countries for their participation in a satellite card-sharing website.
mxuereb@timesofmalta.com