IPPro The Internet Issue 143

News Round-Up
Antequera Parilli & Rodriguez
completes merger
Antequera Parilli & Rodriguez has merged
with fellow Venezuelan law firm Markven
Propiedad Intelectual.
The merged firms will be known as Antequera
Parilli & Rodriguez.
Seller of illegal TV devices sentenced for a second time
A seller of illegal TV devices has been
sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for
re-offending after being prosecuted and
to Sports Information Services (SIS) pay
taxes and contribute to the Levy—your
actions undermine the whole system.”
sentenced for the same crime in 2016.
Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, said: “This
The man appeared at Norwich Crown
Court on 4 May after pleading guilty
to selling unauthorised decoders, after
violating the Copyright Designs and
Patents Act 1988.
result is an excellent example of how
serious an issue illegal streaming is.
Whether it’s a re-stream on social media,
a piracy site, or using a device, box or
stick connected to your TV, avoiding
the official provider to access content
He had previously received a 12-month is illegal.”
sentence suspended for two years
at the Norwich Crown Court on 28
October 2016 after admitting to selling
“FACT is leading the way in combating
digital piracy and working with the
unauthorised decoders adapted betting industry to crack down on
to enable access to encrypted these types of offences and to hold
transmissions between December 2013
and April 2016.
those behind them accountable for
their actions.”
Both firms have more than 35 years
experience in trademark, copyright and patent
law protection and enforcement.
The combined entity will focus on areas
related to the protection of intangible assets
such as advertising law, entertainment and
internet and social media.
Commenting on the merger, Barbarita
Guzman, partner at Antequera Parilli &
Rodriguez, said: “I am delighted to expand
the depth and breadth of both our practices
by merging our firms.”
Ricardo Alberto Antequera, managing partner
of Antequera Parilli & Rodriguez, added:
“Both firms share the same vision and values,
which has led to a seamless union.”
“We look forward to working together to
achieve our common goals and delivering
incomparable service to our clients in this
new phase.”
In early 2017, investigators from The
Federation Against Copyright Theft
(FACT) discovered that the offender was
breaching the terms of his sentence.
A second investigation was launched by
FACT and Norfolk Police on 8 August
last year. The man was re-arrested at his
home in Norwich where he had installed
multiple satellite dishes in his garden.
He was summoned to appear on 14
February and pleaded guilty on 28 March.
In sentencing the offender, the judge,
HHJ Moore commented: “The gambling
industry requires tight regulation, and
legitimate organisations who subscribe
Kevin Smith, general counsel of
SIS, said: “We are very pleased that
Marston has once again been brought
to justice and that a custodial sentence
has been imposed. We are particularly
gratified that the court recognised that
[the offender’s] actions undermined
the entire system of how betting is
licensed and racing is funded, and that
the sentence highlights the fact that the
courts are prepared to treat copyright
infringement as theft.”
“SIS has an obligation to its customers
and rights holders alike to ensure that
the value of content remains undiluted,
and will not hesitate to prosecute
offenders in the future.”
Premier League tackles illegal
stream suppliers
Ace IPTV, an illegal Premier League stream
provider, has been forced to liquidate after
agreeing to pay £600,000 to the League for
a breach of copyright. The owners of Ace
IPTV, Craig Driscoll and Ian Isaac, were
selling subscriptions to illegal Premier League
streams, allowing users to view football
matches on a range of devices, including the
notorious Kodi-type boxes.
Ace IPTV has terminated all subscriptions
and all customers have been written to by the
company’s liquidators.
The Premier League’s anti-piracy
enforcement strategies have seen more
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