A federal jury in Las Vegas has convicted five men accused of running one of the largest pirate IPTV services in the United States. Kristopher Dallmann, Douglas Courson, Felipe Garcia, Jared Jaurequi, and Peter Huber generated millions through their subscription service, Jetflicks, which reportedly offered more content than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and Amazon Prime. Four of the men face up to five years in prison, while Dallmann faces a potential 48-year sentence.
In 2019, eight men from Las Vegas were indicted by a grand jury for conspiring to violate criminal copyright law through Jetflicks and iStreamitAll. The indictment claimed the defendants reproduced tens of thousands of copyrighted TV shows without authorization, distributing the content to a large audience of paid subscribers.
Jetflicks allegedly provided access to over 183,200 distinct TV show episodes, while iStreamitAll offered an even more extensive library, surpassing Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime with over 118,479 TV shows and 10,980 movies.
Trial of Five Men in Las Vegas
While some defendants pleaded guilty in 2021, receiving sentences from one year to 57 months in prison, five went to trial last month. Kristopher Dallmann, the alleged leader of Jetflicks, sought a mistrial early in the proceedings, claiming inadmissible and damaging evidence was presented. The court denied his motion, and all five men were found guilty by a federal jury this week.
Conviction of Jetflicks Operators
Dallmann, Courson, Garcia, Jaurequi, and Huber were convicted of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement. Dallmann was additionally found guilty of two counts of money laundering by concealment and three counts of misdemeanour criminal copyright infringement.
“Their scheme generated millions in criminal profits while causing significant losses for copyright owners,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri. “These convictions highlight the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting intellectual property rights.”
U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada noted the defendants’ extensive conspiracy to reproduce and distribute copyrighted TV programs for personal gain, stating, “This case underscores our dedication to combating intellectual property theft.”
Aviation Entertainment Cover-Up
Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office mentioned the unusual steps the defendants took when copyright complaints threatened their business. They attempted to disguise Jetflicks as an aviation entertainment company. Dallmann initially claimed Jetflicks MoVi Entertainment System converted customers’ DVD collections for in-air viewing but later admitted the main business was downloading TV shows from pirate sites and streaming them for a fee.
Sentencing has not been scheduled yet. Courson, Garcia, Jaurequi, and Huber each face up to five years in prison, while Dallmann could face up to 48 years, according to the Department of Justice.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has not yet issued a press release on the convictions, but Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel Karyn Temple later commented, “This verdict is a landmark victory for intellectual property rights. We applaud the Department of Justice for successfully prosecuting these individuals who profited illegally from copyrighted works. The jury’s conviction underscores the criminal nature of these offences and their significant impact on the creative industry.
Cracked IPTV: A Recipe for Disaster
Using cracked IPTV software like Xui or Xtreme Code and the similar Xtreme UI is illegal and extremely risky. These illicit versions are often loaded with malware and backdoors that can steal your data and allow authorities to track your activities. You could face hefty fines or imprisonment if caught.
Unlike legitimate IPTV services, cracked versions are notorious for their instability, leading to constant buffering, poor video quality, and frequent service disruptions. Additionally, these illegal platforms neglect essential security updates, leaving users vulnerable to cyberattacks.
The illusion of free content from cracked IPTV obscures the severe repercussions for content creators and the entire entertainment industry. By bypassing legal channels, users contribute to the decline of legitimate businesses and hinder the production of quality content.
Furthermore, a significant portion of the individuals behind cracked IPTV services are involved in criminal activities. Their ability to rapidly create new platforms when detected makes it challenging for law enforcement to combat piracy effectively.
To protect personal information and support the entertainment industry, consumers should prioritize legal and authorized IPTV services. By making informed choices, users can enjoy a secure and uninterrupted streaming experience while contributing to a thriving entertainment ecosystem.
