The High Court has granted a significant order compelling Revolut Bank UAB to disclose the personal details of more than 300 users and 10 resellers involved in illegal streaming activities. This decision marks a pivotal step in Sky's ongoing efforts to clamp down on piracy and protect its premium content.
Legal Action Against Illegal Streaming
Justice Brian Cregan approved the order following Sky's civil action against Revolut. The banking app was used by subscribers to make payments to resellers of unauthorized streaming services. Sky sought a Norwich Pharmacal order, a legal mechanism that allows information to be obtained from third parties who have become inadvertently involved in wrongdoing.
Court Proceedings and Statements
Theo Donnelly, representing Sky, informed the High Court that the obtained information would be utilized to initiate legal proceedings against the resellers and some of the users. In response, Revolut's counsel, John Freeman, stated that his client maintained a neutral stance on Sky's application, neither opposing nor supporting it.
This legal move stems from a prior civil prosecution against David Dunbar, a resident of Wexford. Last year, Dunbar was found to have operated an illegal streaming service, with payments processed through his Revolut account. He was ordered to pay Sky €480,000 in damages and an additional €100,000 in costs. Furthermore, Dunbar faced a €30,000 fine for contempt due to breaching court orders to preserve data.
Investigation and Data Disclosure
Sky's investigation revealed that 12 resellers and 304 users had transferred funds to Dunbar via Revolut, prompting the company to seek detailed information from the banking platform. The court noted that proceedings have already been initiated against two of the 12 resellers.
The information pertaining to the Irish dodgy box users is scheduled to be handed over to Sky within 28 days, delivered via an encrypted spreadsheet. This development underscores the broadcaster's commitment to combating illegal streaming, which often involves devices like dodgy boxes and illegal Fire Sticks.
Impact on Streaming Piracy
These devices are equipped with third-party software that enables users to access premium content from providers such as TNT Sports, Sky Sports, and Disney+ without authorization. The use of such devices is considered a serious crime, with police forces across the UK and Ireland, alongside the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), actively targeting individuals engaged in unauthorized viewing.
Sky, which invests billions in broadcasting rights for events like Premier League matches, maintains an in-house piracy team to address these issues. Authorities have warned that purchasing dodgy boxes and Fire Sticks often funds organized crime and can compromise personal information, including banking details, due to the software installed on these devices.
Many illegal streaming accounts in the UK rely on feeds from Irish Sky boxes, highlighting the cross-border nature of this problem. As Sky intensifies its legal actions, this court order represents a significant milestone in the broader fight against digital piracy and copyright infringement.
