Kenya’s Copyright Board (KCB) has raided private homes in and around the capital Nairobi, and confiscated illegal satellite receivers being used to tune into DStv broadcasts. The local police were aided by staff from Multichoice Kenya.

Some 27 DStv smartcards, 25 decoders and 21 modulators were confiscated in the raids. Two of the suspects were arraigned in court and released on 1 million shillings [$12,000] and 500,000 shillings [$6,000] bond and a surety of the same amount. “This is the highest bond a

Kenyan court has issued on a copyright infringement matter,” said Lucian Mue from the KCB, and reported by BBC Monitoring.

Fredrick Saramba, the anti piracy manager from MultiChoice said they were happy with the fines meted out by the court on those arrested for distributing the DStv signal illegally. “We will continue to sensitise

Kenyans on the demerits of illegal connections and the legal consequences of piracy such as the lengthy jail terms or hefty fines,” said Marisella Ouma, the executive director of KCB.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Content, Pay TV, Piracy