Kuwait launches crackdown on illegal TV operators

In a bid to check TV piracy and distribution of unauthorised decoders, authorities in Kuwait have conducted a series of raids on commercial centres and seized set top boxes of India-based DTH service Dish TV.
Direct-to-Home (DTH) service Dish TV is unauthorised to operate in the Middle East and its broadcast license and satellite contracts are limited to its origin in India.
The raids in Kuwait follow success in tackling TV-piracy through a series of raids, fines and convictions in others parts of the GCC.
Raids were conducted following complaints by OSN, the region's leading pay-TV network that offers international television entertainment content.

OSN has joined hands with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry to tackle TV piracy and distribution of unauthorised TV decoders in the country.
Dish TV is one of the major piracy concerns in Kuwait with many South Asian expatriates using the service illegally.

"The raids demonstrate that the fight against illegal TV-piracy is not just confined to one or two countries but is a region-wide issue that needs co-operation from a number of agencies and the public at large," said David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer of OSN.
"As the Kuwaiti authorities have outlined, perpetrators can expect tough penalties for flouting the law as the campaign to stamp out TV-piracy gains momentum and awareness across the region increases," Butorac said.

Omar Al Qahtani, Senior Associate, Al Tamimi and Co Kuwait, said, "As a governing authority, we will continue to work with partners such as OSN to protect intellectual property rights and will not tolerate any form of activity that infringes on them.
"In addition to confiscating illegal decoders and equipment, operating in this illegal trade will lead to the closure of shops and fines being issued.