17 people arrested in Sim Lim Square during crackdown on illegal streaming devices
The Singapore police seized more than 2,500 pirate set-top boxes estimated to be worth more than S$500,000.
Illegal streaming devices, which enable consumers to access unauthorised content from illegal sources online, seized in an operation by the Singapore police. (Photo: Singapore Police Force)
SINGAPORE: Seventeen people have been hauled up in Singapore in the first publicised crackdown on illegal streaming devices since the passing of a law banning the sale of pirate set-top boxes in September last year.
The Singapore Police Force said in a release on Friday (Oct 7) that four women and 13 men aged between 24 and 61 were arrested for their suspected involvement in the sales of illegal streaming devices, which enable consumers to access unauthorised content from illicit sources online.
On Tuesday, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department raided shops in Sim Lim Square and seized more than 2,500 sets of these devices, said the police.
"The estimated street value of these devices is more than S$500,000," said the authority, adding that its investigations are ongoing.
The English football Premier League, which opened its first international office in Singapore in 2019, on Friday expressed appreciation for the police's enforcement actions.
"The Premier League is committed to tackling piracy and worked closely with the SPF in preparation for the raid, including providing support on the day," it said in a statement.
Premier League general counsel Kevin Plumb said the raids reinforced the authorities’ commitment to tackling piracy and to demonstrate that illegal operations will be removed.
“We know the vast majority of our fans in Singapore watch Premier League action via authorised content and we want to protect that," he said. "We will continue to work together with local authorities to target and take action against those offering illegal access to Premier League matches.
Last year, telco StarHub said it would offer two years of free rental of its StarHub TV+ box worth S$120 to customers who turn in their old pirate set-top boxes.
This was on the heels of a Copyright Bill tabled in Parliament in July 2021, rendering it illegal to sell these boxes.
The Bill was passed into law in September and its provisions kicked in around November last year.
Under the Copyright Act 2021, infringement by making, dealing, importing, distributing or offering of devices or services to access works without the authority of copyright owners carries a fine up to S$100,000, an imprisonment term of up to five years, or both.
"The Police take a serious view of intellectual property rights infringement and would like to remind the public that the distribution and sales of illegal streaming devices are serious offences," it said in its Friday release.
"The Police will not hesitate to take tough action against perpetrators."
Last month, it was revealed that a total of 245 domains associated with 30 illegal streaming sites are now blocked in Singapore.
