In 2023, UK courts sentenced five men behind the illegal Flawless Premier League streaming service to a combined 30 years in prison. The sentence, which included 11 years for the ringleader, was the largest ever piracy sentencing in the world.
In what is a major win for copyright holders, the courts have imposed further sanctions on the jailed owners of the IPTV service. Authorities have ordered the five individuals to pay £3.75m – proceeds of their illegal service – or risk further jail sentences.
The Flawless illegal Premier League streaming operation
Flawless was the UK’s largest illegal streaming service that ran between 2016 and 2021. It offered pirated IPTV streams, which included Premier League matches, for £10 a month.
The service had over 50,000 customers and IPTV resellers and about 30 employees, with authorities estimating the operation generated more than £7 million.
Following a private prosecution led by the Premier League, and in collaboration with other anti-piracy organizations, five individuals were arrested and convicted by the UK courts. Mark Gould, the mastermind behind the illegal operation, received an 11-year sentence.
Authorities arrested and convicted other individuals, including Steven Gordon (5 years and 9 months), Peter Jolley (5 years and 2 months), William Brown (4 years and 9 months), and Christoper Felvus (3 years and 11 months).
Financial penalties and consequences
Nearly three years after their conviction, owners of the Flawless illegal Premier League streaming service have faced financial sanctions.
In a new ruling, the Derby Crown Court has ordered Mark Gould to pay £2.35 million from his illicit proceeds within three months, or face an additional prison sentence of 10 years.
The court has also ordered the four other owners of the illegal IPTV service to pay a combined £1.4 million, or face further prison sentences.
A clear warning to pirated streaming services
Premier League and other parties involved in the initial private prosecution against the Flawless IPTV gang have welcomed the latest sanctions by the courts.
“The sentences handed down, and the funds confiscated in these proceedings, vindicate the efforts made to bring these individuals to justice and reflect the severity and extent of the crimes,” stated Stefan Sergot, Premier League Director of Legal Enforcement.
Doug Love, an investigator at Hammersmith & Fulham Council – one of the organizations involved in the initial private prosecution – also called the financial sanctions “a clear warning” against other would-be offenders.
“Anyone tempted to commit similar offences should be deterred by the record prison sentences and the size of the confiscation orders in this case.”
But it’s not just operators of illegal IPTV services that should be wary. In the past, the UK anti-piracy organization FACT has warned piracy end-users of serious consequences for using illegal streaming services.
“…end users of illegal streaming services are breaking the law. The risks are real, from potential criminal liability to exposure to scams, viruses, and harmful content.”