This could be the END
Last night, I got some really bad news.
It could be the END of my website.
The Sports TV networks in the UK are now targeting companies who pirate sports streams and charge subscribers for access.
A few days ago an IPTV provider got busted in Thailand. This is an extract from the Bangkok Post...
My IPTV supplier (who are not based in Thailand) stipulate on their website that the service cannot be used in the UK due to copyright infringement. I have reiterated this on my website.
However, it now appears that all is not as it seems. Nowhere on their website does it say their service is illegal. However, it doesn't say it's legal either.
I am now very concerned. As a reseller of their subscriptions I make commission for each subscription.
I'm now in a position where going forward isn't exactly a clear path. I also promote TV boxes and VPN subscriptions on my website but IPTV subscriptions are the meat. My whole site is built around IPTV.
My options:
1. I carry on regardless and hope that my supplier doesn't get busted.
2. I remove all mention of my supplier and delete all posts about them and focus on TV boxes and VPN subs only (that would be 130 posts to go through).
3. I close my site now and start a new one about something else.
Thoughts?
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Update: I've added a disclaimer on every IPTV post for now. This is a short term measure but I wanted to do add something right now.
Legal disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that all of the channels shown by NTV are legal to view in your country. I do not accept any liability for channels that exist or are being added on a regular basis by NTV. This website merely highlights which services are available.
That will have to do for now.
I think I would go with a mix of suggestions from Wayne (start thinking of possible new niches) and Thomas (consult a lawyer).
That's really rough. Whatever you do, I'd do it sooner rather than later.
That's certainly understandable, but don't let yourself feel *defeated*. Even if it is the end of this niche, everything you have learned would allow your next one to develop that much faster.
That's a tough one. My advice is do what will keep you out of trouble. Eventually, we get found out and it's not worth the hassle
That's a good move. I know personally someone who streamlines a show and was able to raise money from it but now he is prohibited from doing it.
4. Contact a lawyer familiar with the subject matter and pay them for an hour of their time to discuss with them any potential legal liabilities that you have as a result of your website.
5. Target other countries besides the UK where it is legal to use IPTV. Continue to make it clear that you can't use it in the UK due to copyright infringement.
4. Good idea.
5. I don't target UK, in fact the service is blocked there. However, this raid happened in Thailand so it doesn't appear to be legal anywhere, without the consent of the TV networks, which doesn't seem to exist.
Wow that's BIG....think about if you can re-purpose your content in some way to sell something else. I've done that a couple of times with my oldest blog (yep gone through about 150 posts to switch out links and relevant content). I've changed the title of the site a few times too. It's still my highest DA - domain authority - site.
Hope that helps.
I don't think I can, unless a legal IPTV service exists whereby the supplier has approval from the TV networks to distribute content. I've been searching and I can't find any so far.
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So sorry to hear this Craig... hope you find a solution that feels ok for you, like a new niche idea for example. You've proved you can build a top class site - so you can do it again (if necessary).
Good luck & let us know how it evolves.
Thanks Soraya, I'm still on the fence as to what to do. I've added a disclaimer and I'm kind of hoping it all blows over. I know it won't but I'm in denial a bit right now.