Abu Dhabi court orders shut down of illegal TV services

Abu Dhabi - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Abu Dhabi Police has raided a shop selling unauthorised OSN subscription services and set-top boxes from Indian pay-TV and Dish TV.

An Abu Dhabi court fined the shop’s manager Dh200,000, ordered deportation and closure of the shop for a year.

Following a complaint received from OSN — the region’s leading pay-TV network — the CID raided the said shop. They presented the case before an Abu Dhabi court for illegal provision of TV content, backed with evidence seized during the raid that included Dish TV receivers and a computer.

“We are thankful to the CID and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department for their swift and stern action that will dissuade operators and distributors of illegal TV services. The court verdict reiterates the seriousness with which the government regards TV piracy. We will continue to work with the authorities to curb TV piracy, which adversely impacts the TV and creative industry of the UAE,” said David Butorac, chief executive officer of OSN.

Based on complaints filed by OSN, the Department of Economic Development and Criminal Investigation Departments across the UAE have investigated and conducted 47 raids to date covering hotels, shops and labour accommodations. India based Direct-to-Home (DTH) overspill services such as Dish TV India, Airtel Digital TV, Sun Direct and Tata Sky are unlicensed and unauthorised to operate in the Mena region. According to industry reports, TV piracy costs the industry over $500 million a year. -nissar@khaleejtimes.com