Illegal IPTV: these subscribers who risk a lot in Belgium

The 115,000 users risk a maximum of 800,000 euros in fines and up to five years in prison in the event of criminal prosecution, according to the federal public service cited by Sudinfo. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), television broadcast via the Internet, is legal. The illegal nature occurs when protected content such as films, series, pay-TV channels or sporting events are broadcast without authorization. "These services circumvent copyright and deprive creators of their legitimate income," explains the Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA).

The searches were carried out in stores that were selling IPTV subscriptions "under the counter," according to Sudinfo. "The buyer of an illegal IPTV subscription risks the same penalty as the seller," says Étienne Mignolet, the spokesman for the FPS Economy, who adds that a micro-enterprise can pay up to 6% of its turnover in fines. According to estimates by the FPS Economy, Belgium would have more than 650,000 IPTV users, creating losses of 189 million euros per year for the State.