MultiChoice owned Irdeto wins another cybersecurity battle

The company that fights cybercrime in video entertainment, Irdeto, has won another battle in its war against piracy after a court in Krugersdorp caught yet another perpetrator.

The victim, Pieter Lombard has been convicted for his role in facilitating unauthorised access to copyrighted content and he was on the 12th of November back in 2020 with 12 illegal internet streaming devices in his possession.

According to MultiChoice, devices enable unauthorised access to protected content, undermining the rights of content creators. Lombard was found guilty under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act and sentenced to a fine of R24 000 or 12 months in prison suspended for five years.

Irdeto broadcasting cybersecurity anti-piracy director Frikkie Jonker said: “This conviction is not just a win for our organisation but signifies hope for every artist, producer and stakeholder in the creative industry. It is a clear message that piracy will not be tolerated, and we will relentlessly continue our fight against it,”

After the two convictions of Lee Whaley, a UK citizen, and Jordan Lee Mott back in November 2022, this is the third major conviction. The two were arrested in 2020 for selling Android TV boxes.

According to Tech Central, Copyright Coalition of South Africa and Partners Against Piracy chair Chola Makgamathe said: “Slowly but surely, we will win the war against piracy – we continue to create awareness on the scourge of piracy by educating the general public of the negative impact of consuming illegal content.”