All news with #piracy tag

Photocall IPTV Piracy Platform with 26M Users Shut Down

🛑 Photocall, a major illicit TV streaming platform serving over 26 million annual visitors, has ceased operations following a joint investigation and settlement with ACE and DAZN. The site provided unauthorized access to 1,127 channels across 60 countries, including live sports such as MotoGP and Formula 1, as well as Serie A, NFL, NHL and club channels. Operators agreed to transfer all domains to ACE, which now redirects them to its Watch Legally portal. Visitor data showed nearly 30% of traffic from Spain, with significant audiences in Mexico, Germany, Italy and the United States.

Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Selling Pre‑Release Movies

🎬 A Tennessee man was sentenced to 57 months in prison after admitting he stole and sold ripped DVD and Blu-ray copies of unreleased blockbuster films. Steven R. Hale, 37, worked for a DVD/Blu-ray manufacturing and distribution company and sold pre-release discs through various e-commerce sites, returning about 1,160 discs as part of restitution. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful firearm possession. Prosecutors say the piracy caused tens of millions of dollars in losses.

Calcio sports piracy network with 123M annual visits shut

🛑 Calcio, a major illegal sports-streaming platform that drew over 123 million visits in the past year across 134 domains, has been shut down after coordinated action by ACE and DAZN. The Moldova-based operator agreed to cease operations and transferred domains to ACE, which now redirects them to its Watch Legally site. The service had been especially popular in Italy, accounting for more than 80% of traffic.