New Government advice issued on Kodi boxes

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If you had a Kodi box in your stocking, you’ll need to know this

If Santa has stuffed a set-top box in your Christmas stocking this year, you’ll need to heed newly-issued Government guidance.

Because the so-called Kodi boxes being used to stream illegally are funding organised crime as well as hurting the UK’s creative industries.

It comes after a damning investigation discovered that, if you use the boxes to stream illegal content on television, you could also be putting your home and family at risk .

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) estimates that more than one million of the devices have been sold in the UK in the last two years, report the Coventry Telegraph.

Writing in the guidance, an IPO spokesman said: “The creative industries in the UK is a very important sector.

“It provides employment for more than 1.9 million people and contributes £84.1billion to our economy.

“If you are not paying for this content you are depriving industry of the revenue it needs to fund the next generation of TV programmes, films and sporting events we all enjoy.

“Instead it provides funds for the organised criminals who sell or adapt these illicit devices.”

‘Illicit streaming’ as the watching of content without the copyright owner’s permission by any means.

Illicit streaming devices are physical boxes that are connected to your TV or USB sticks that plug into the TV such as adapted Amazon Fire sticks and so called ‘Kodi’ boxes or Android TV boxes.

While they are legal if they are used to watch legitimate content, they are illegal once they are adapted to stream illicit content.

If you are watching TV shows, films or sporting events where you would normally be paying to view them and you have not paid, you are likely to be using an illicit streaming device.

These devices are often purchased online and described as ‘Fully Loaded, Jail Broken, Plug and Play or Subscription Gift’, according to the IPO.

They are described using these terms to show that they have been adapted and are functioning as an illicit streaming device.

In some cases consumers buy devices and subsequently add the software, this also makes it an illicit streaming device.

Children are at risk of being exposed to explicit or age inappropriate content.

There are also concerns over fire safety. Some devices from the black market have failed EU safety standards and could cause a fire in the home.

The so-called Kodi boxes may have come from abroad and may not have been subjected to proper safety checks.

Anti-piracy campaigners say the only way to be sure is to unplug your box immediately.

Electrical Safety First carried out a series of tests on nine types of popular illegal streaming devices entering the UK and found they all failed to meet safety standards.

In June the EU issued a recall notice for a Chinese-made Android TV box, or Kodi box, amid fears its poor design left users at risk of electric shock.

The safety warning said the risk of electric shock from the OTT TV Box 4K was “serious” and advised owners to stop using it immediately.

The devices had faulty power supply units which did not comply with Europe’s Low Voltage Directive, meaning users were at risk from touching live components.

In July, a raid in London resulted in the seizure of more than 40 illegal streaming devices that provided access to illegal content and lacked UK electrical safety measures.

Using an illegal Kodi box also means “you are depriving industry of the revenue it needs to fund the next generation of TV programmes, films and sporting events we all enjoy,” said the IPO.

“Instead it provides funds for the organised criminals who sell or adapt these illicit devices.”

These devices can be used legally by removing the software, the IPO says.

You can also approach the relevant provider to find out about legal ways to watch your favourite shows.

The IPO says if you see these devices being offered for sale, tell Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Citizens Advice also provides free, confidential and independent advice.