An eye-watering 26 million people are using Kodi to view copyright-protected content – like films and TV shows – for free, according to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
The MPAA claims that around 70% of Kodi’s estimated 38 million users are taking advantage of third-party add-ons, which come pre-loaded on some systems, to access copyrighted content, including unreleased movies.
Speaking at a panel hosted by the Copyright Alliance and Creative Rights Caucus, MPAA Senior VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Neil Fried demonstrated how Kodi has made it easier to view pirated material.
Fried believes that “fully-loaded Kodi boxes” – Android TV-powered consoles that have been pre-loaded with both legal Kodi software and illegal pirate add-ons – are the root of the problem, and we’re inclined to agree.
Most people wouldn’t feel comfortable flashing Kodi onto a Fire TV, let alone installing a third-party add-on, but they wouldn’t think twice about buying a pre-built one online for around £60.
Kodi, as noted by the Independent, recently issued a statement on piracy, claiming that people selling the fully-loaded devices aren’t affiliated with the Kodi project. “They are criminals who profit from piracy,” it said.
Have you ever used Kodi to view pirated material? How did you purchase your Kodi box? Be sure to let us know over on Facebook or Twitter @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
