Government blocks pirate TV websites

The UAE acts to prevent pay-television piracy by blocking sites from overseas.

The Government, targeting pay-television piracy, has blocked 10 websites that allowed users to view exclusive sporting events illegally. The Ministry of Economy said it acted against the websites, all of which were based in Korea, after a tip in June that they were being used in the Emirates to view Euro 2008 football matches. "We received communications that illegal operators were broadcasting unsubscribed Euro 2008 matches and other programmes over the internet and promptly co-ordinated with enforcement authorities to conduct a raid," a ministry official said.

"We were able to identify 10 foreign internet links and immediately ordered the disruption of local internet connections to these addresses. We are currently investigating similar cases." The ministry said it would order the internet service provider to block websites offering illegal services. "Cases of pay-TV piracy have been increasing in the UAE, with dishonest operators showing more confidence that they can elude the law," said Mohammed al Shihhi, undersecretary of the ministry.

Ola Khudair, the deputy chief executive of Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAA), said the raids were aimed at "the new face of piracy that is emerging in the region". "Piracy is now getting more and more complicated, as it is not just illegal TV channels but websites offering illegal access," she said. At least 11 more websites identified last month are now blocked. The AAA assisted in the raids and has hired a team of "hackers and IT experts" to track down internet addresses that offer illegal television viewing. "Such websites offer access not just to sports event channels but also other pornographic channels, which are illegal here," Ms Khudair said.

The ministry has also issued orders for the confiscation of illegally imported decoder boxes, which are used to acquire satellite TV signals without subscriptions."These decoders are manufactured in countries like Korea and China. We raided three shops in Fujairah and one in Dubai where such decoders were being sold," said an IT expert at AAA. [e-mail]