Alleged IPTV Reseller May Pay $1,125,000,000 in Damages as New Lawsuit Filed

The Accused Posed as a “Law-Enforcement Officer” Whilst Heading a Huge IPTV Network

In a major legal battle against illegal streaming, a lawsuit in the United States targets a suspected operator of an illicit IPTV network, reportedly used by hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Should the accused be found guilty, they could face damages exceeding $1 billion—a potentially record-breaking penalty in the fight against unauthorized streaming services.

This case is the latest in an intensifying effort by U.S. authorities and copyright holders to curb unauthorized access to streamed content. The lawsuit follows a significant recent court ruling that ordered Google to remotely delete IPTV apps from users’ devices, an unprecedented action in the streaming industry. The ruling underscores the ongoing struggle to counter the massive, underground industry of illegal streaming, which deprives legitimate broadcasters and rights holders of billions of dollars in revenue annually. Live sports events, movies, and TV shows are among the high-value content often targeted by illegal IPTV services.

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a popular means of accessing such content, particularly through illicit channels. IPTV services typically offer users the ability to stream both live and on-demand content through applications that are side-loaded onto devices. These services often provide access to an extensive range of content at significantly reduced rates compared to mainstream platforms. For instance, users might pay a small monthly fee to watch premium content, such as live sports matches, at a fraction of the cost charged by legitimate streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or major sports broadcasters.

In the USA, DISH Network—a U.S.-based satellite and legal IPTV provider—along with its subsidiary Sling TV, has filed against CLVPN LLC, a company accused of running a pirate IPTV service under the name City Lights Entertainment. DISH Network is seeking damages totaling up to $1.125 billion (approximately £870 million) from Richard Alexander Moy, who, according to court documents, is the registered owner and sole manager of CLVPN LLC.

The complaint claims that Moy, based in Chicago, Illinois, directly orchestrated and supported the company’s alleged copyright-infringing activities. The network reportedly had over 450,000 subscribers and operated through a vast reseller network of more than 500 agents, who offered subscriptions at heavily discounted rates, averaging $20 monthly. According to court filings, these resellers were allowed to purchase subscriptions at a low cost of $5 each, allowing them to profit while still offering significant discounts to end users.

Court documents also allege that Moy falsely presented himself as a law enforcement officer, leveraging this persona to reassure potential customers and resellers who expressed concerns about the service’s legitimacy. This claim suggests that Moy used his supposed law enforcement status as a means of gaining trust and minimizing apprehension regarding the legality of the IPTV service. Statements within the court filings indicate that Moy’s resellers were informed of his supposed police affiliation and that this narrative was circulated within Telegram groups managed by his team.

Under U.S. copyright law, DISH Network and Sling TV are seeking statutory damages of up to $2,500 per violation. Given the suspected subscriber base of over 450,000 users, the total damages sought exceed the $1 billion mark, though the final amount awarded would depend on the court’s findings.

This lawsuit not only highlights the scale of financial loss to broadcasters but also serves as a powerful signal of the lengths they are willing to go to dismantle illegal streaming operations. The final verdict in this case could set a substantial precedent, illustrating the high financial and legal stakes faced by operators of unauthorized streaming services.