It is “very unlikely” that Gardaí will prosecute so-called 'dodgy box' users, a technology expert has said. 

An estimated 200,000 people in Ireland have a dodgy box - which allows them to watch subscription channels at a discounted rate.

Often they can cost as little as €10 a month but their use is likely a violation of the law.

“The law actually suggests that it is illegal to own or sell them,” Irish Independent Technology Editor Adrian Weckler told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“The Copyright Act 2000 says that anyone who makes or sells or even has in their possession what they call a ‘protection defeating device’, knowing or having reason to believe that it’s being used to circumvent rights protection [is in trouble].”

Gardaí have taken an interest in cracking down on dodgy boxes recently - but their focus has primarily been on the sellers rather than their customers.

“So, if you bought a dodgy box or bought a code off somebody, that person is the one that they are going after,” Mr Weckler said.

“The Guards say they have a number of actions underway through the courts.

“There was a guy in May in Dublin, a Tallaght man, who just narrowly escaped a two-year-sentence.

“He made over 20,000 selling subscriptions to thousands of customers for dodgy boxes.”

A television with video streaming services and a remote control. Picture by: Michael Zech / Alamy Stock Photo

Understandably, anyone using a dodgy box might feel nervous but Mr Weckler said the chance of getting caught is small.

“Their main question is, ‘Am I going to get the knock on the door? Am I in trouble?’” he said.

“I have to say, the evidence suggests, so far, that that rarely happens.

“The Gardaí will rarely go to you if you’re a user of this dodgy box - for resources, or whatever other reasons, they really mainly focus on the sellers… In terms of a Guard knocking on your door, it’s very unlikely.”

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Main image: A TV remote control.