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Kodi Magazine 'Directs Readers To Pirate Content' (bbc.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A British magazine is directing readers to copyright-infringing software, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact) has said. Kodi is a free, legal media player for computers -- but software add-ons can make it possible to download pirated content. The Complete Guide to Kodi magazine instructs readers on how to download such add-ons. Dennis Publishing has not yet responded to a BBC request for comment. The magazine is available at a number of retailers including WH Smith, Waterstones and Amazon. It was spotted on sale by cyber-security researcher Kevin Beaumont. It repeatedly warns readers of the dangers of accessing pirated content online, but one article lists a series of software packages alongside screenshots promoting "free TV", "popular albums" and "world sport". "Check before you stream and use them at your own risk," the guide says, before adding that readers should stay "on the right side of the law."
Seems like the complaint is towards the magazine and not Kodi itself.
It is now, in the UK.
The law was unclear until recently. The Digital Economy Act was passed in April. It's one of those grab-bag laws which ended up covering a wide manner of essentially unrelated matters because so many MPs saw it as a chance to tack on their own amendments - it's got provisions relating to internet pornography, bulk purchasing of event tickets, subtitling requirements, contracted workers and a lot of other stuff. Burried in among all that is the section which clarifies that streaming copyrighted infringing material is illegal, even if no permanent copy is created. It also allows a ten year prison term for those found guilty of facilitating streaming - but that doesn't apply to those who only watch the stream. It's intended specifically for people who supply the software.