Warning issued to those streaming GAA illegally amid huge crackdown
The GAA wants tougher legislation to crack down on illegal streaming devices, known as ‘dodgy boxes,’ which it says are significantly impacting its streaming revenue.
Noel Quinn, head of the streaming platform GAA+, told an Oireachtas Committee that piracy severely impacts the organisation’s ability to generate income online, with an estimated 400,000 dodgy boxes in use across Ireland.
GAA+ and the League of Ireland’s streaming platform LOITV both said the use of dodgy boxes is restricting growth and grassroots investment.
The illegal devices, which are often modified Amazon Fire TV Sticks, allow users to access premium TV channels without paying the proper subscription fees. Packages start at around €50 per year.
Quinn said: “In recent times, what the GAA would have done would have been to monitor and actually send cease and desists to particular individuals who are carrying out illegal processes. Stronger legislation to go after people who are selling dodgy fire sticks and codes would be something that’s very helpful.”
Quinn also stressed the broader impact of piracy, in particular the GAA’s ability to invest in community and youth programmes.
“ Eighty-two per cent of every commercial euro earned is repurposed back into the grassroots. Any threat to commercial earning power is obviously taken very seriously. Piracy is the very evident answer to that question, dodgy boxes and infringement of our copyright, and anybody who is ripping off official copyright footage now is essentially dipping their hand into the GAA’s pocket and reducing their ability to leap into capital infrastructure projects.”
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