For those who don't know, Kodi is a neutral, open-source media player software that can be installed on a broad range of devices. This legal software can be used to run third-party add-ons which enable users to access copyright-protected material for free – uploaded, shared or streamed from other users across the globe. And it's these ready-made "pirate" streaming devices, which are manufactured by a range of different brands but running Kodi and a slew of third-party add-ons, are colloquially dubbed Kodi Boxes.
They’re popular because they let you watch TV shows, movies, or live sports for free, that would otherwise require payment to view. You can buy these boxes online or from dodgy traders, and they’re becoming increasingly contentious in the eyes of the law.
Kodi software is not illegal, but developers can produce third-party add-ons that provide free access to pirated and illegal content. The illegal add-ons are being targeted by ISP's, government agencies, broadcasters and rights holders. And now the head of the UK’s leading anti-piracy group has warned that authorities could soon start targeting ordinary Kodi users.
Though you can download Kodi and find and install add-ons yourself, the process isn’t completely straightforward, and criminals have capitalised on people’s uncertainty by selling media players pre-loaded with the software and certain add-ons that provide access to copyrighted content.
The ECJ ruled that the sale of media players deliberately pre-loaded with links to copyrighted content is illegal, a verdict that opened the doors for the prosecution of Kodi box sellers.
“When we’re working with the police against a company that’s selling IPTV boxes or illicit streaming devices on a large scale, they have records of who they’ve sold them to,” said Mr Sharp.
“It’s part of the work that we do with the police that we have to look at the whole business there, and start investigating those that have been buying these devices.
“At the moment, where that will lead we don’t know. We have a number of cases coming before the courts in terms of those people who have been providing, selling and distributing illicit streaming devices. It’s something for the very near future, when we’ll consider whether we go any further than that, in terms of customers.”
Earlier this year, the Digital Economy Act became law and raised the maximum possible sentence for online copyright infringement offences from two to 10 years.
However, that maximum sentence will only apply to people who commit serious copyright crimes, such as distributing content.
“Nothing really changes for people at the lower end of the scale,” explained Mr Sharp.
“I don’t think [users of illegal Kodi add-ons] have anything to fear from the fact that the sentencing has gone from two years to 10 years because at that level, if people get into trouble with the law, they will still be dealt with on the basis of the level of the crime they’re committing. And that would still be at the bottom end of the sentencing scale.”