AJMAN // OSN’s antipiracy efforts are gaining momentum after Ajman’s Department of Economic Development conducted raids against illegal content providers.
Ajman DED had issued stark warnings to those who provide and access television content through Dish TV and other illegal sources following the crackdown on TV piracy in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah that was led by pay-TV network OSN.
The department conducted raids in five shops in the emirate, imposed fines of up to Dh10,000 and destroyed a number of confiscated material including Dish TV India set-top boxes.
It also warned other illegal TV service providers that South Asian services such as Dish TV India, TataSky, Sun Direct, Airtel and Reliance decoders are unauthorised and unlicensed in the Mena region. The authorities have also warned against the use of illegal cables, hybrid decoders and digital piracy.
“We view TV piracy as a serious offence that violates intellectual property rights and causes huge losses to our economy. Ajman DED will vigorously pursue individuals who promote and sell unauthorised and unlicensed TV services,” said Saud Al Shimmari, director of the Department of Control and Consumer Protection at Ajman DED.
“We encourage people to voluntarily refrain from accessing unauthorised TV services and we urge all to come forward and inform us of any such illegal activity so we can take strong measures to curb this menace.”
David Butorac, chief executive of OSN, said: “We are thankful to Ajman DED for their support and action in addressing TV piracy. Through direct action and a joint approach, we can drive the steady awareness and eradication of TV piracy and ensure the UAE economy doesn’t suffer from this black market trade.
“Addressing TV piracy is important as it also affects the UAE’s creative industry and adversely affects the economy. It is important to be constantly vigilant to the new techniques illegal operators adopt.”
According to industry reports, TV piracy costs the industry more than US$500 million (Dh1.84bn) every year.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
