Formerly known as XBMC, the Kodi is a free media player app, currently available for multiple operating systems and hardware. It was developed by the XMBC/Kodi Foundation and it has a 10-foot user interface for television and remote control.
Thanks to its technology, Kodi boxes allow users to live-stream content from apps or on-demand services onto their TV. With it, users are able to play videos, podcasts, digital media files, internet and music. Lately, the Kodi Boxes have become very popular.
However, the European Union Court has ruled that the Kodi Boxes are as bad as downloading copyright protected material, because it is used to stream pirated content online. Therefore, the UK Government is using the Digital Economy Bill in order to further improve penalties for those responsible for running illegal websites, which allow people to have access to material protected by copyright.
Also, many illegal websites have been shut down and it seems that Kodi Boxes will share the same future. In its latest post online, Kodi confirmed that some users have been experiencing issues and they stated that the Kodi Box was not manufactured by Team Kodi, nor that it supplies media content. Kodi has been operating since 2002 and they suggest that they have no plan of getting out of the online environment. However, they will not back up, nor will they show sympathy to those who post on the Kodi forums and social channels pirate add-ons.
How can Kodi boxes become illegal in the UK?
The boxes become illegal when they are used to stream subscription channels free of charge and without authorization. Any alteration to the software is also illegal.
In conclusion, people can buy Kodi boxes, watch the free content, but they cannot stream content or modify the sotware.