26 March 2008

Fine for illegally downloading satellite channels content

An Emirati national, identified as A.A., 23, has been ordered by the Court of Misdemeanour to pay a fine of Dh10,000 for unauthorised downloading of content of satellite channels on to his web site.
The court has also ordered confiscation of his laptop, destruction of his DVDs and blocking of his website for one month.

According to court records, on July 23, 2006, A.A. managed to hack into the encoded system of satellite channels, including ART, Showtime and Orbit. He unlawfully downloaded many Arab and western movies and cartoons from these channels.

Witness H.S., who represents the Anti-Piracy Arab Association, testified that the accused was downloading and offering pirated movies on his website. "His act was damaging the business of the exclusive dealer and in violation of the Intellectual Property Law and the author's rights," he pointed out.

The defendant had admitted that he launched the website www.DVD-4UAE.com in the end of 2005. He said that he managed to break into the encoded broadcasting sites of the satellite channels of ART, Showtime and Orbit and downloaded movies, cartoons and musical files.

However, on July 29, 2006, the police raided the residence of the accused in Al Ain and seized a laptop and around 100 DVDs of pirated Arab, Western and animated movies, in addition to musical material. Source

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