Lawyer warns jailbroken fire stick could leave you with a prison sentence of up to 12 months

A lawyer has warned that people could end up in prison when it comes to using jailbroken Amazon Fire TV Sticks for illegal streaming.

The practice of jailbreaking fire sticks is a more recent act in the world of piracy and copyright infringement, with the operating systems on fire sticks and other media devices bypassed so that apps from outside the official app stores can be installed.

These apps then provide Internet Protocol television - known as IPTV - through which a tonne of content can be watched for free. The problem is this content is usually premium - either in cinemas or on subscription packages - so it's illegal to consume without paying up.

We're talking the latest Premier League matches on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, as well as the latest films to drop on Netflix and Prime Video.

Authorities are taking action against those that violate copyright laws through fire sticks and IPTV across the world, with 'urgent' court orders passed to crack down on those violating rules.

There's also a new Piracy Shield system in Europe that bans IPTV and illegal streaming websites.

What are the risks of illegal streaming?

Firstly, you open yourself up to personal risk. That's according to one tech expert.

Jenny Radcliffe is a hacker that uses her skills to help companies fix security loopholes in their systems.

Earlier this year, she set up a fake streaming platform that asked for people's information, like many IPTV or streaming platforms also do.

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Jenny said: “The perception that illegal streaming is a victimless crime is completely inaccurate. The sites that host these services are loaded with malicious links, back doors and tricks to access people’s digital and financial information, giving professional criminals an open invitation to steal from anyone who engages in these activities.

"Whether it's multiple charges to credit cards, installing malware on devices, accessing bank accounts, or stealing personal information such as emails, messages, contacts, photographs, documents and browsing history, engaging in illegal streaming makes you a prime target for professional fraudsters.

"And what is worse, because these activities are illegal, victims may have little or no recourse for recovering their losses and may even face criminal charges themselves."

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Could you go to prison for illegally streaming on a jailbroken firestick?

For ordinary Brits who just stream illegal content on fire sticks or other devices, you're looking at sentences of up to 12 months, along with an unlimited fine.

A decade in prison is on the cards for the most serious offences.

Barrister Lynette Calder of 5 Pump Court, told The Sun: "For more serious and organised offending that went to the Crown Court you are talking a maximum of up to 10 years in prison if the charge is under section 7 or five years for section 6 and 11.

"Why take the risk? If you can’t afford the streaming service for Premier League then why not find yourself a pub that can.

"That way the added bonus is a pint, not a £2500 fine."

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Has anyone been jailed over IPTV illegal streaming?

The most high profile case in recent years was the Premier League's conviction in the IPTV 'Flawless' case.

Last October Steven Mills, 58, was sent to prison following a joint investigation by the Premier League, West Mercia Police, and anti-piracy organisation FACT.

The Shrewsbury man had ran an organisation selling what it called 'fire sticks' via a closed Facebook group, with more than 30,000 subscribers to the service he ran.

In June last year, Mills pleaded guilty to multiple fraud offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court and was jailed for two and a half years in the winter.

He was also convicted of a separate offence for watching the illegal content that he was supplying to others, with the court recognising that his own use of the unauthorised service was a distinct crime in itself.

Mills received a separate prison sentence for this offence.