UK man sentenced to over six years for operating illegal IPTV service

Illegal IPTV Operation Shut Down

Milan Ibrahim, 68, has been sentenced to over six years in a UK prison for operating an illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service. The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police investigated and shut down the operation, which was described as sophisticated.

The illegal service provided pirated broadcasts from major rights holders including the BBC, ITV, Sky, the Premier League, and the Motion Picture Association to users in the UK and internationally.

Financial Gains and Server Seizure

The investigation revealed that the business operated from 80 servers located in Chorley and generated £980,812 over a three-year period. During enforcement actions, all 80 servers were seized and shut down, significantly disrupting the service's ability to provide illegal streaming.

Ibrahim will also face Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings to recover the money generated by the illegal service.

Implications for Users and Industry

The seizure of the servers may lead to the identification of users of the service, who could face fines or other consequences for participating in copyright infringement. Stefan Sergot, Director of Legal Enforcement at the Premier League, noted the significance of the operation, calling the seized service one of the UK’s most prominent pirate suppliers.

This case underscores the continued efforts by law enforcement and content owners to combat digital piracy and protect intellectual property rights.