In a significant law enforcement action, Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has successfully dismantled a large-scale IPTV piracy operation that has been streaming illicit content for over two years. The operation, which was concealed in what appeared to be an abandoned house, led to the seizure of more than 279 pieces of equipment, including 72 set-top boxes, 72 video encoders, servers, networking hardware, bank records, and mobile phones. Two primary suspects were apprehended during the raid.
The Hidden Piracy Operation
The operation was carefully disguised, with the suspects choosing a house that looked long abandoned to run their illicit activities. This nondescript location allowed them to operate under the radar, avoiding detection by both neighbours and authorities for an extended period.
However, inside the seemingly deserted house, authorities found a highly organized setup. During the raid, the CIB seized a significant amount of equipment used to capture, encode, and distribute pirated content, including set-top boxes, signal encoders, servers, and network switches.
Xtreme Codes Software Leads to Breakthrough
The investigation that brought down this operation was initially triggered by the discovery of an app called Qingtian TV, also known as Sunny TV, being sold on online auction platforms. This app, similar to other illegal TV services, provided unauthorized live streams from legitimate broadcasters, conveniently bundled into a mobile application.
A critical component of the operation was its use of Xtreme Codes, a widely known software platform in the world of IPTV piracy. This software enables the capture, encoding, and distribution of live TV streams, and its presence was key to helping authorities gather the evidence needed to take down the operation.
The content offered through Sunny TV included programming from major networks such as Taiwan’s Satellite Radio and Television Business Association and members of Japan’s anti-piracy group CODA, which includes well-known stations like TBS, Fuji TV, NTV, and TV Asahi. The pirated content distributed over two years was estimated to be worth over one billion Taiwan dollars (around US$31.2 million).
Unveiling the Network Structure
According to the CIB, the two primary suspects, Mr. Li and Mr. Chen, were arrested. Mr. Chen is suspected of selling illegal OTT (over-the-top) software on various online platforms, often changing accounts to avoid law enforcement detection.
While the CIB also mentioned the involvement of two other suspects, their identities and specific roles within the operation have not been disclosed.
The authorities also released a diagram that outlines the structure of the entire piracy network, from the initial capture and encoding of live TV streams to their distribution to end users. Notably, the diagram features Cloudflare, reflecting a growing trend where this company’s services are linked to piracy operations, although typically without direct involvement.
Global Piracy Impact
This case is part of a broader trend where piracy operations, particularly those linked to regions in Asia like China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, continue to challenge global copyright holders. Taiwan has been more proactive in addressing these issues compared to neighbouring regions, leading to more frequent and successful raids.
By publicizing the involvement of service providers like Cloudflare, authorities may be seeking to increase pressure on these companies to take a more active role in combating piracy, potentially pushing the issue further into the public and legal spotlight.