Dubai Police arrests a gang pirating encrypted satellite channels

Dubai Police were able to arrest a gang that deliberately pirated encrypted international satellite channels and rebroadcast them illegally via receivers, electronic links and unlicensed websites, then sold them to the public through annual subscriptions in violation of the law.

Dubai Police explained that careful investigations and follow-up revealed that the members of the formation made available media content owned by international parties without obtaining any licenses or legal approvals from the rights holders, exploiting illegal electronic platforms and digital networks to achieve illegal financial gains at the expense of the parties that own the content.

Investigations confirmed that the defendants deliberately marketed and sold pirated broadcast services to users in exchange for annual subscription fees, in violation of legislation regulating intellectual property rights, copyrights, and related rights, which caused significant financial losses to the company that owns the exclusive rights to the content.

She stressed that such actions are a violation of the provisions of Federal Law No. (38) of 2021 regarding copyright and related rights, noting that the competent authorities are continuing their efforts to monitor and prosecute anyone who exploits modern technical means to attack intellectual rights or achieve illegal gains through them.

Dubai Police called on community members to deal exclusively with approved official channels and platforms, and to avoid subscribing to or purchasing any digital services or content from unknown or unlicensed sources, as this may entail legal violations, security and technical risks, as well as the possibility of exposure to fraud and electronic fraud.