Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards officers have executed two warrants as part of a clampdown on the sale of illegal ‘pre-loaded’ Kodi boxes.
With further warrants planned in the near future, sellers of the open-source media players are being warned they are risking prosecution.
One Carmarthenshire seller, who will not be named whilst investigations are underway, was found to have sold around £15,000 worth of boxes over the last nine months.
Trading Standards are now considering what action they will take.
Kodi allows users to stream videos, music, pictures, games and other content via their television, computer or other devices, for free.
The Kodi boxes themselves are legal, but they become illegal when a seller has ‘pre-loaded’ or adapted the box with software or third-party plug-ins which allows users to stream subscription channels, such as Sky, pirate films and paid-for sports events for free.
The European Court of Justice has recently ruled that by doing so, both the seller and anyone downloading or streaming content they are not entitled to, is infringing copyright and could face up to 10 years imprisonment.
Robin Staines, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Head of Housing and Public Protection, said: “Our Trading Standards officers have executed two warrants in recent days and have information which will be used to execute more warrants in the coming weeks.
“Legislation has recently expanded to make it a criminal offence to use Kodi boxes to view material which you’re not entitled to, so our advice to consumers is to not purchase them or use them to stream any subscription material.
“Sellers should be aware that they are breaking the law by selling pre-loaded or adapted Kodi boxes, and to expect our officers to knock on their door.”
· Anyone with information about the sale, supply or manufacture of Kodi boxes in Carmarthenshire is encouraged to contact the Trading Standards team – email tradingstandards@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.
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