One man has been jailed and a second has received a suspended sentence after being convicted of supplying Internet Protocol Television devices "capable of scanning the internet for illegal TV streams," according to Julian Clover of BROADBAND TV NEWS. City of London Police said that "it was the first case of its type." The prosecution was brought by the Premier League against Terry O'Reilly and Will O'Leary, who "supplied the equipment to pubs and individuals." The Android-based devices "scanned the internet for foreign TV channels, unlicensed" in the U.K., with programming including live Premier League games. The two were convicted at Nottingham Crown Court of "conspiracy to defraud." O'Reilly was sentenced to four years in prison. O'Leary pleaded guilty and received a two-year suspended prison sentence. Premier League Director of Legal Services Kevin Plumb said, "Like other creative industries the Premier League's model is predicated on the ability to market and sell rights and protect its intellectual property. It is because of this that clubs can invest in star players and managers, and world class stadiums -- the very things fans enjoy about our competition." The Premier League was supported by the Federation Against Copyright Theft following a "significant investigation" by the City of London Police (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 12/12).
