Spanish authorities closed down illicit TV broadcasting network
June 03, 2024
Spanish police took down an unauthorized TV broadcasting network that generated over 5,300,000 euros since 2015.
The Spanish National Police dismantled a network that unlawfully spread audiovisual content, earning over 5,300,000 euros since 2015. Eight individuals in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Madrid, Oviedo, and Málaga were apprehended by the police, and two residences were searched. Alongside this, the police blocked 16 IPTV content distribution websites. The investigation was initiated in November 2022 following a complaint filed by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment against those accountable for operating two websites that were allegedly promoting videographic content breaching intellectual property laws.
An international criminal syndicate employed sophisticated technology to intercept and decrypt satellite signals for distributing over 130 international TV channels and thousands of unauthorized movies and series. The unlawfully distributed content reached over 14,000 subscribers. The heads of the organization were apprehended by the authorities, and two computers, a vehicle, and 80,000 euros in bank accounts were seized. The police identified the servers used by the group and blocked 16 websites, redirecting users to a National Police webpage informing them about the law enforcement action.
“This international criminal syndicate made use of cutting-edge technology and advanced technical tools to intercept signals broadcast via satellite in various countries, which were subsequently amplified and decrypted for the distribution of multimedia content in an illegal manner,” as stated in the press release by the Spanish Police. “In total, they offered more than 130 international television channels and thousands of movies and series to the global audience, a service for which they charged each of their over 14,000 subscribers between 10 and 19 euros monthly, or between 90 and 169 euros annually – based on the subscription type – causing significant harm to the rights of the creators, producers, and distributors of these works of art.”
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the premier global anti-piracy coalition, praised the Spanish National Police for their crackdown on the large-scale illegal IPTV service TVMucho (also known as Teeveeing). This represents the first criminal intervention in Spain against a scheme of this magnitude and extent.
TVMucho/Teeveeing recorded over 4 million visits in 2023 and offered in excess of 125 channels, including prominent networks such as BBC, ITV, Sky, and RTL.
“We commend the Spanish National Police for safeguarding the intellectual property rights of numerous ACE members through this successful operation,” stated Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association (MPA). “The operation reaffirms ACE’s dedication to collaborating with local authorities to identify and counteract digital copyright infringements. We anticipate furthering our shared goal of safeguarding the creative economy in Spain and beyond.”
It’s worth noting that individuals subscribing to illicit streaming services could face investigation and penalties from law enforcement authorities.
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