Nilesat has taken off the air two satellite TV channels for allegedly broadcasting pirated content, according to a report in Egypt’s “Al Arabiya”. This took place as regional broadcasters such as MBC Group, OSN and Rotana continue to campaign for better copyright enforcement in the region to counter piracy.
Egypt-based Panorama Comedy and Panorama Action are no longer broadcasting via the Nilesat satellite. Industry figures allege that both channels, which are believed to be based in Egypt, are involved in illegal broadcasting of films to which they do not own the rights.
“The channels were clearly illegitimately inspired. There was no attempt to get rights,” says Sam Barnett, Chief Executive of MBC Group. “What happened a few weeks ago was that we finally made breakthroughs. Nilesat agreed that they would stop broadcasting Panorama: Panorama Comedy has already closed down as well as Panorama Action this past Saturday.”
Most of these channels, when challenged in connection to their unauthorised operations, presented documents that are believed to be forged. These operations, once confirmed by a court of law, may place the pirated channels and their owners under severe criminal sentences.
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