Kodi add-on dev pledges stand against copyright threat

KODI add-on makers have been facing the full force of legal threats from copyright protectors, but one developer said they will not back down.

Kodi users have seen a number of popular illegal add-ons shut up shop after facing legal threats amid a major anti-piracy crackdown.

It comes as the Kodi surge continues without any sign of stopping, as users continue to ditch paid TV services for the online player.

Research has suggested Kodi - which offers access to thousands of channels - is being used in more than five million UK homes.

Kodi software is not illegal, but developers can produce third-party add-ons that provide free access to pirated and illegal content.

The illegal add-ons are being targeted by ISP's, government agencies, broadcasters and rights holders.

In the past week cease-and-desist letters have been hand-delivered to a number of Kodi add-on developers.

The first to close up shop was Kodi add-on developer jsergio123 who, in essence, recently announced his retirement.

He tweeted: “Sorry to say but I am stopping all development of the urlresolver, metahandler, and my other add ons.”

Initial reports claimed the developer decided to call time on making Kodi add-ons off the back of threats from Hollywood.

Soon afterwards it was reported UK-based Kodi add-on developer The_Alpha was also quitting.

TV Add Ons published a leaked letter sent to The_Alpha from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment.

The ACE is the world’s most powerful anti-piracy organisation, and members include Netflix, HBO, Sky, Disney and Warner Bros.

The leaked letter said: “This letter is addressed to you by companies of the six-major United States film studios represented by the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

“We are writing to you concerning your development, distribution and/or involvement in the operation of certain third party Kodi add-ons.”

The letter also claims The_Alpha was involved in the popular Colossus add-on repository, which has now shut down.

Amid these blows to Kodi add-on users, the popular Ares Wizard also went offline.

Ares Wizard was an all-in-one setup for Kodi that automates the installs of add-ons.

However, in the aftermath of these Kodi developers quitting one add-on maker in the UK has pledged to carry on.

Speaking to TorrentFreak, the anonymous maker of Kodi add-ons said the “show of force” from copyright protectors would be met with defiance.

He said: “It’s hardly a fair dust-up s it? What have we got to fight back with?

“It’s a show of force, ‘look how important we are!’”

The Kodi add-on developer added: “If you want a good example of a scattered pirate scene, I give you Kodi.

“There’s some older blokes like me who can do without the stress but a lot of younger codes, builders and YouTubers who thrive on it.”

The Kodi add-on closures comes in a year where authorities have ramped up their efforts to clamp down on online piracy.

The penalties for online piracy has become more severe this year thanks to the Digital Economy Act becoming law.

The new law raised the maximum possible sentence for online copyright infringement offences from two to 10 years.

The maximum sentence will only apply to people who commit serious copyright crimes, such as distributing content.

This year popular torrent websites like Kickass Torrents, ExtraTorrent and Torrentz.eu have all shut down as piracy penalties have become more severe.

Speaking to Express.co.uk recently, a FACT spokesperson said: “Recent comments from Judges have confirmed that both selling illicit streaming devices and using one to watch or stream copyrighted content are illegal.

“We feel it is important to focus efforts on educating consumers on the legality surrounding these devices and making them aware of the risk and harm they cause not only to industry and the economy, but potentially to themselves and their family.”

But they added: “Our priority for tackling online piracy is to target those most critical to the supply chain.

“Whether it’s a streaming website, an illicit streaming device seller or someone behind an infringing app or add-on, we focus on those who sell, host or distribute content illegally.

“Whilst end users are not a target, they could get swept up in one of our operations and become part of the whole criminal investigation, which could lead to prosecution alongside the suppliers, retailers and importers.”