Liverpool man jailed for over three years for illegal Premier League Firestick streaming

A Liverpool man has been jailed for three years and four months after admitting to operating an unlawful "Firestick" streaming service. Jonathan Edge, 29, received the hefty sentence upon pleading guilty to three counts under the Fraud Act.

The case was spearheaded by the Premier League, Merseyside Police, and FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), marking a significant effort to combat illegal streaming.

Edge promoted his services on Facebook and through word-of-mouth, conducting the illicit operation from his home where he loaded content onto Firestick devices in exchange for payment. The Premier League's crackdown extends beyond individuals to include shops, bars, and restaurants, aiming to stem the tide of unauthorised game broadcasts.

The sentencing aims to act as a stark deterrent, highlighting the severe financial implications of illegal streaming, which costs the industry millions annually. Detective Sergeant Steve Frame from Merseyside Police commented: "Merseyside Police is committed to working in collaboration to investigate intellectual property theft and we welcome today's sentence handed to Edge."

He further warned that the consequences of illegal TV streaming are serious, and this case should serve as a warning about the gravity with which copyright infringement is regarded. The Premier League employs advanced anti-piracy technology to identify and shut down illegal streams.

Premier League General Counsel Kevin Plumb has spoken out following a significant legal victory, stating: "The significant sentence handed down to the individual involved once again serves to highlight the severity of his actions and we thank Merseyside Police for their support throughout the case."

He continued, "We will continue to pursue legal action against those supplying unauthorised access to Premier League football, regardless of the scale or mode of operation. Ignoring warnings to stop only served to make the consequences worse for the individual."

Plumb added, "The selling of broadcast rights supports the Premier League's industry-leading financial contribution to the whole football pyramid and we're pleased that the courts have once again recognised the importance of safeguarding these rights with the outcome of this case."

He concluded, "No matter the scale, we will continue to protect these rights by carrying out investigations and prosecuting illegal operators at every level."