The Portuguese authorities have conducted a series of raids in connection with illegal viewing of TV Cabo. The action was conducted by the national Security Authority for Food and Economy (ASAE) and focused on the hotel sector. A number of legal proceedings have been initiated.
The news coincided with a meeting in Dublin held by the anti piracy association AEPOC and hosted by Liberty Media/UPC Ireland. The meeting was told of co-operation between UPC and Sky over the reception of Sky’s pay-TV channels in hotels and bars that use a domestic subscription rather than take out a commercial agreement. Inspectors can easily spot illegally received signals because of the pint of beer logo displayed on Sky’s dedicated pub feed.
Since 2005 Sky has invested heavily in its anti-piracy unit, leading to a high level awareness within the commercial sector, and prosecutions in severe cases.