
DENVER - September 21, 2021 - The International Broadcaster Coalition Against Piracy (IBCAP) today announced its latest member lawsuit. This latest case comes on the heels of more than 20 successful lawsuits coordinated and supported by IBCAP over the last five years. DISH Network, a member of IBCAP and the owner of exclusive rights that were infringed, filed this suit after multiple notices of infringement sent by IBCAP to iStar Company and Atlas Electronics were all ignored.
The lawsuit filed today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan targets iStar Company (operator of the iStar IPTV service, one of the leading Arabic language pirate services in the U.S.), Ahmed Karim (the owner and principal of iStar Company), Atlas Electronics (a Dearborn, Michigan-based retailer of unauthorized IPTV services), and Alaa Al-Emara (the owner and principal of Atlas Electronics). The claims include direct and indirect copyright infringement against iStar Company and Ahmed Karim and an indirect copyright infringement claim against Atlas Electronics and Alaa Al-Emara. In total the lawsuit seeks damages of more than $24 million and injunctive relief.
Judgments in the prior lawsuits coordinated by IBCAP have included devastating monetary awards against pirate services and the distributors and retailers in their distribution chain, including judgments that have forced retailers out of business, some of whom have filed bankruptcy in futile attempts to avoid responsibility. In addition to the financial impact, at the core of almost all of these legal victories is a court ordered injunction that disabled the pirate network by directing third parties such as hosting companies, CDNs, and retailers to cease supporting that pirate network.
IBCAP is continuing a coordinated attack on copyright pirates in North America, ensuring that unauthorized services and their retailers are held responsible through massive judgments and that their platforms are shut down, said Chris Kuelling, executive director of IBCAP. The actions from these defendants have been willful, malicious, intentional, and purposeful, and in disregard of and with indifference to the rights of our IBCAP members. If the pirate services and their dealers don't comply with our legal notices and requests for removal, every legal measure available will be considered and used as necessary, including seeking monetary awards and broad injunctions.
IBCAP leveraged anti-piracy monitoring and detection services from NAGRA, which were instrumental in gathering and preparing the evidence for the case. Piracy is a problem that has to be met with a defined strategy and the best anti-piracy tools available. As a proud long-term partner of IBCAP, NAGRA has provided intelligence and evidence to support this and other lawsuits against pirate services in North America and is committed to helping the industry protect its considerable investment in content production and distribution, said Jean-Philippe Plantevin, VP anti-piracy services at NAGRA.
The content at issue in this latest lawsuit airs on many of the leading channels from the Middle East, India, and Pakistan: Aaj Tak; Aastha; Al Arabiya; Al Hayah 1; Al Jazeera Arabic News; ARY Digital; ART Cima; ATN Bangla; ATN News; B4U Movies; B4U Music; CBC; CBC Drama; Dunya TV; Express Entertainment; Express News; Future TV; Hekayat; Hum Masala; Hum Sitaray; Hum TV; Hum World; India Today; LBC; LBCI (a/k/a LDC); MBC1; MBC Drama; MBC Kids (a/k/a MBC3); MBC Masr; Melody Classic; Melody Drama; NTV Bangla; Rotana America; SAB; SET (a/k/a Sony SET); SET MAX; Times Now; and Zoom.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
About International Broadcast Coalition Against Piracy (IBCAP)
International Broadcast Coalition Against Piracy, Inc. is a coalition of leading international broadcasters and distributors representing over 140 television channels from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America. The non-profit organization proactively monitors and identifies unauthorized video services, collects evidence, and assists with legal actions and criminal investigations against organizations and individuals engaging in pirate activities. IBCAP coordinates with government agencies and law enforcement both in the US and abroad, reports suspected infringers to the appropriate authorities, initiates investigations, and promotes the prosecution of persons or companies who participate in the illegal distribution of its members' video content. More information is available at www.IBCAP.org. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About NAGRA
NAGRA, the digital TV division of the Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S), provides security and multiscreen user experience solutions for the monetisation of digital media. The company provides content providers and DTV operators worldwide with secure, open and integrated platforms and applications over broadcast, broadband and mobile platforms, enabling compelling and personalized viewing experiences. Please visit dtv.nagra.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
IBCAP:
media@IBCAP.org
NAGRA:
C dric Alber
Kudelski Group - Corporate Communications
Director Corporate Communications & Media Relations
+41 79 647 61 71
+1 (415) 962-5005
cedric.alber@nagra.com
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
09/06/2026
Last month, Spotify hosted PURE FLOWERS LIVE, a special event celebrating the re...
09/06/2026
Last month, RADAR U.K. artist Skye Newman took the stage in East London for a sp...
09/06/2026
Company to cease operating on 30 June 2026
Australian loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer Wayne Jones Audio have announced that after much consideration,...
09/06/2026
Increases low-end weight and character
The latest plug-in release from Sheffield-based fedDSP aims to offer an all-in-one solution for users in search of mo...
09/06/2026
Introduces AI Studio Assistant, Moises Studio integration & more
Fender Studio have just announced the launch a significant update that brings an array of n...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Offset360 to Modernize Color Control Across Existing Pre...
09/06/2026
09 Jun 2026
VEON Appoints Serkan Ozturk as Chief of Staff & Strategy Officer Dubai and New York, June 9, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital oper...
09/06/2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a candid and unfiltered accou...
09/06/2026
Enni Continues to Rely on Arvato Systems - And Will Be Using AEP.EnerS4 Billing Solution
Arvato Systems to implement transformation project for SAP S/4HANA Ut...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
08/06/2026
FOX One, FOX Sports and Indeed Name Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto as FOX One C...
08/06/2026
Meet us on the show floor
Stand #286310 Discover Nara, the media management tool used by major facilities including Harbor and Molinare.
Nara v2 introduces re...
08/06/2026
L'art de l'Image dans Reflet dans un diamant mort' Une conversation avec le directeur de la photographie Manuel Dacosse, SBC et l' talonneur Pe...
08/06/2026
Embracing today's modern media workflows: FilmLight presents Nara 2.0, with FilmLight API Designed to support the growing demands of today's production ...
08/06/2026
Moderated by Andy Minuth, FilmLight's Colour Workflow Specialist
Wednesday 18 February
6:00pm / Doors open
7:00pm / Presentation in German
8:00pm / Drin...
08/06/2026
Join us on April 14 at 10:00am for a technical roundtable with the Filmlight dev...
08/06/2026
You're invited to FLAPI Classroom The fundamentals of coding and machine-assisted development
These sessions will help you build the skills needed to cre...
08/06/2026
With Sylvain Canaux (St Louis, Paris) and J r me Cloutier (MELS, Montreal)
Wednesday 6 May
Pick your time: 1:00PM / 5:00PM
Note: The presentation will be hel...
08/06/2026
FilmLight, 1107 N El Centro Ave, Los Angeles
Doors open at 3:30pm
Join the FilmLight team on June 9th at 4pm to learn how FilmLight products and APIs can stre...
08/06/2026
The Creators List launched to Help Brands Connect With Top Creators In CannesThe curated directory launched by Tubefilter, Comscore, Whalar Group and Gospel Sta...
08/06/2026
Irish YouTube star DavidMC joins Aisling O'Reilly to tackle all things socce...
07/06/2026
Company introduce 21 new protective covers
Decksaver have just announced their Sping 2026 Drop, which sees a total of 21 new models added to their ever-grow...
07/06/2026
Sunday 7 June 2026
Dynamo Vs Houdini comes to Sky later this year
The last time the world saw Dynamo, he buried himself alive. This weekend, he returned.
Mom...
06/06/2026
Check Out Leading Monitor Brands
We'll have monitors of all shapes and sizes at GearExpo UK, so whether you're looking to upgrade or expand your set...
06/06/2026
Two Originals offerings join MPC line-up
Following on from their partnership announcement at NAMM 2026, Spitfire Audio and Akai Pro have announced the relea...
05/06/2026
Built from the same recordings as flagship library
Sonuscore's LUX Orchestral Strings has been met with widespread praise since its launch in late 2025,...
05/06/2026
High-end converter, interface & headphone amp upgraded
Said to represent the next evolution of RME's all-in-one reference converter concept, the all-new...
05/06/2026
Win a Soundgas Type 636P & Type G preamps
Soundgas, one of the UK's leading vintage and boutique audio equipment specialists have just announced the lau...
05/06/2026
New leadership of Technology Systems Division at Rohde & Schwarz On July 1, 2026, Hansj rg Herrbold and Andreas H gele will take over as Executive Vice Presid...
05/06/2026
Hitachi and Intel announced a strategic collaboration to explore opportunities t...
05/06/2026
05 Jun 2026
VEON's Kyivstar to Expand Digital Mobility Ecosystem with Acqui...
05/06/2026
RT Radio 1 Folk Awards to take place on Tuesday 10th November 2026, Vicar Street, Dublin
Moya Brennan, D nal Lunny, Mary Black and Christy Moore among previou...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
04/06/2026
BackStory follows four Irish young people as they travel back to their parents' homelands
Modern Irish identity is enriched by cultures and influences from...
03/06/2026
Step sequencer-style panning tool revealed
Alongside their flagship self-titled sound-design platform, Sound Particles offer an array of creative effects an...