When we make a purchase, whether it be at a traditional brick-and-mortar store or online, we assume good faith on behalf of the seller – that the goods or services will work as advertised. Unfortunately, this isn’t always so. This is especially true when it comes to distributors who steal and stream unauthorized entertainment content.
There are certainly legitimate services streaming only licensed content – Hulu, Sling and YouTube TV, for example
But there are also illegal options. Examples are AffordableIPTV and BeastIPTV.
Some of these unauthorized services cost less than $20 per month— but claim to offer thousands channels from across the globe. So how do they do it? They sell stolen content. Not only is this against the law, it also carries personal risks for customers.
Losing Your Money
In September, police in Europe shut down a network of illegal Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services for copyright infringement. Those services had more than 50 million paying customers, many of whom had prepaid for services for a year or more.
Not surprisingly, people who sell stolen content don’t worry about reputation or customer service. When they get shut down, they disappear – with your money.
Poor Service
Illegal IPTV services are notoriously unreliable. Frequent buffering is a common problem as are promised channels that just don’t work.
There are many legitimate content options available. At a minimum, we all want a service that will keep its promises and deliver the entertainment experience expected. Be sure to do the research to ensure you won’t be had.
