Kodi box sellers face crackdown – areyoubreaking the law?

Watching TV and filmslms illegally on Kodi may soon become more difficult becausese the UK’S Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is considering tightening the copyright law.

It is asking interested parties such as media companies and broadcasters how to better target people selling so-called ‘Kodi boxes’ (Tv-streaming devices that come with Kodi installed).

Kodi ( https://kodi.tv) itself is completely legal. Initially called Xbox Media Center when launched in 2002, it’s an open-source media player that lets you play videos, music and podcasts, both from the internet and those saved on your computer, phone and tablet.

Its developers say it should be used only to play content that has been bought, such as a DVD, or anything freely available online. But a range of software add-ons have been developed for Kodi that allow it to be used illegally, mainly to download copyrighted content – such as films and TV – and watch live sport.

As a result Kodi is one of the most popular and talked-about programs of recent years, but its developers are furious at being associated with online piracy. They plan to take legal action against add-on developers and people selling Tv-streaming boxes.

The police are beginning to crack down on sellers of Kodi boxes, arresting five people in early February in a “day of action” on behalf of the Premier League, BT, Sky and Virgin Media.

Much of the legal uncertainty surrounding Kodi will be clarified when Middlesbrough businessman Brian Thompson goes on trial in May, charged with selling boxes containing the software. If he loses he has vowed to take his case to the European court.

Kodi is a brilliant media player that we recommend, but many readers have told us they’re worried about breaking the law. Therefore in our next issue – out Weds 29 March – we’ll explain all the fantastic ways you can use Kodi without troubling the police.