The Czech DTH and internet TV operator Digi CZ has provided insights into how it is addressing the problem of internet piracy in the country.
In a statement it says: “police in several regions have struggled against internet pirates who have offered illegal broadcasts of top sports competitions on their websites, such as Premier League football, Spanish LaLiga and others. Everyone (of these pirates) is in danger of violating and stealing copyrights, in serious cases even serving up to five years’ imprisonment”.
Digi CZ adds that it either shares or holds exclusive rights for the Czech Republic for such leading sports competitions. On the basis of warnings, police have already prosecuted a suspect in Vestin and uncovered several others in Karvina and Kladno who are now facing criminal proceedings. It adds that one pirate convicted by the Prague police avoided court last month by instead compensating Digi CZ with tens of thousands of crowns and providing a written apology.
Infringements of copyright and rights related to copyright can result in up to two years’ infringement, rising in some instances to five years.
Commenting on these developments, Daniel Chakal from the Aurixa law firm, which represents Digi CZ in criminal proceedings, said: “It’s just the first wave of a successful anti-piracy campaign. We are preparing another criminal complaint”.
Andrej Cirtek, spokesman for Digi CZ, added: “We carefully monitor any copyright abuse in our exclusive sports programs and, in co-operation with the Czech Police, we deal with documented cases uncompromisingly”.
