UAE to come down hard on Indian Dish TV dealers

TV TRAIL: Dish TV boxes are illegally imported from India and sold in the UAE. (Getty Images - for illustrative purposes only)

The UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) will take strict legal action against dealers caught selling Dish TV satellite receiver units that are illegally imported from India.

The Ministry has issued a directive to concerned authorities, ordering them to clamp down on the trade of illegal set-top boxes as “it violates national copyright law by infringing on broadcasting rights”. Using the device, people in the UAE can access India’s direct-to-home entertainment service that includes more than 200 channels.

The directive comes after the Ministry led a series of raids against unauthorised Dish TV dealers in the region, which led to the arrest of violators in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah and the confiscation of a number of units.

“Legitimate businesses such as E-Vision are greatly hurt by this kind of piracy. There is a wrong public impression that it is acceptable to acquire pirated entertainment because movie producers and studios profit a lot from them,” Scott Butler, CEO, Arabian Anti-piracy Alliance (AAA).

“That is why we are telling people to consider this issue from a different perspective: what if it was their own creative works that were being stolen, how would they react? The right to protect intellectual property is not only logical but a legal right as well; illegal pay TV is simply an unacceptable violation of IPR,” added Butler.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Illegal PAY TV?
Posted by Sasha on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 20:58 UAE time


Scott Butler is trying to confuse the whole situation OR he is playing a fool. DISH TV must file a case against Butler for calling their service "Piracy" and equating their service as a violation of Intellectual Property Rights.

Dish TV is a legit TV service in India - with many more millions subscribed to this legally licensed DTH service than what Etisalat could even think of.

People like Butler have no problem in creating monopolies, but complain when some people use DISH TV in the UAE. DISH TV is illegal in the UAE - cause of protectionism which Etisalat wishes for in this country.

So much for the champions of capitalism and free trade. How difficult is it to see Hypocrisy of such kind?

Couldn't Vineetha Menon speak to anyone else? Why Scott Butler - who has no clue about what Dish TV service is in the first place?

Dish TV is the best entertainer !
Posted by Dish TV Lover, Sharjah, UAE on Wednesday 22 July 2009 at 13:53 UAE time


I have been a subscriber of many packaeges offered in UAE for many years. I used, Pehla basic, Pehla Silver, E-Pehla Basic, Evision Basic, etc. However since the last one year I am using Dish TV network. Believe me guys, Dish TV is a big slap on these so called monopolistic service providers, Evision and Pehla. I used to pay 1800 Dhs per year to Pehla for viewing only 5 Movie channels and 2 Sports channels. The movies were replayed a million times.
However, now I am just paying hardly 360 or 370 Dhs per year to Dish TV, and the entertaintment and number of channels is simply outstanding. The current Ashes series is not being telecasted in any of the channels of Evision or Pehla, but I am enjoying the entire series on STAR Cricket.

I am really angry on myself for paying so much of my hard money for nothing to the providers in UAE. Long live Dish TV network !!!

Dish TV
Posted by Venky, Dxb, UAE on Friday 3 July 2009 at 20:46 UAE time


Well, E vision is complacent b'coz they do not face any competition. While the minsitry must fine violators it must also put pressure on E- vision to improve its programming and content. Let the ministry have a look at the 200 plus cannels which dsh TV offers and see the way its all pacaged. Its very impresive. E vision must be pushed by the ministry to be more proactive and cater to a larger Sub continent audience

dish TV
Posted by sabyasachi gupta, dubai, UAE on Thursday 2 July 2009 at 15:51 UAE time


I am using e pehla form evision and i am payin 160 dhs per month for the same . after paying suhc a huge amount also, i do not get any channel of my own place -kolkata out here. this is where dish tv is advantageous a sit provides somthing for everyone . I think the e vision authorities should look into this and try to bring in alteast one channel of all the major languages spoken in india and not conenctrate only on one particular place. Also, the price charged is huge compared to any other international city's.

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