The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) has stated its approval of the conviction of Sydney resident Narender Narwal for the theft and illegal selling of subscription television (STV).

Narwal’s arrest and conviction resulted from an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation supported by STV industry investigators from FOXTEL and other companies. Narwal was involved in the sale of unauthorised set-top boxes programmed to provide a network of people with access to stolen STV channels through an illegal system that used the internet to hack into encoded broadcasts.

Narwal appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court where he was convicted for making and selling unauthorised decoders. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, fully suspended, on entering a good behaviour bond of five years, and fined A$15,000.

“This sentencing clearly reinforces the fact that piracy is theft and it will be investigated by the Australian Federal Police. I commend the police and support teams involved in dealing with this case effectively and efficiently. As an industry, STV will continue to defend its intellectual property against piracy so that it can keep investing and innovating for its legitimate subscribers and contribute to the growth of the Australian economy,” said Petra Buchanan, CEO of ASTRA.

Buchanan added: “Many consumers are unaware it is a criminal offence to have unauthorised equipment installed in their homes and should be suspicious of purchasing any equipment that provides access to STV broadcasts for which they are not directly paying an authorised provider. In most instances innocent customers are ultimately left out of pocket when they realise these devices are quickly rendered inoperable.”