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  • Frequently Asked Questions (Please read this before posting)

    Please review our FAQ page to see if your question is answered there first. If you are going to post here, DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFO. It is a bannable offense, and the post will be removed.The FAQ is included below:

    I got a letter from NagraStar accusing me of piracy, what do I do?
    First of all, keep in mind that this letter is not a scam. When NagraStar settles with pirates who operate online services that sell illegal content, we commonly receive transaction evidence of all the sales made to end users and secondary resellers. NagraStar uses this information to send letters and emails proposing a settlement amount to avoid litigation. These settlements are necessary for television providers to recoup the loss resulting from potential customers that resort to watching illegal content. Many who receive our letters have no idea that they were watching stolen content, due to the fact that many of these piracy sites don't admit to selling stolen content which could drive away potential customers.

    To avoid litigation and a possible lawsuit, it is extremely recommended that you call one of the numbers listed on your letter. Please call 1-844-728-7226 or 787-945-7102 for Puerto Rico; or email us at [email protected]. One of our associates will gladly speak to you in either English or Spanish during 8 AM - 4 PM Mountain Time (UTC - 07:00). Choosing to ignore this letter will result in your referral to our legal team. This usually leads to a lawsuit, which results in a judgement that is public record. In court, every illegal purchase made can carry a hefty fine of up to $10,000. It is in your best interest, as well as NagraStar's, to settle this matter outside of court with a pre-suit settlement offer to avoid heavy fines and to keep this matter confidential.

    Generally NagraStar accepts $3,500 from those who have purchased illegal content and $7,500 from those who have resold illegal content as suitable settlement offers. NagraStar also is open to negotiating the settlement amount. Piracy equipment such as set-top boxes and streaming devices can be sent in to lower the settlement amount. We also accept piracy forum credentials in the form of a username and password. If you are experiencing financial difficulties or hardships, our team will work with you to create a personalized monthly payment plan. Please don't ignore the letter. Give us a call at 1-844-728-7226 or 787-945-7102 (Puerto Rico), email us at [email protected], or send a letter to the following address:
    NagraStar LLC
    Attn: Bert Eichorn
    90 Inverness Circle East
    Englewood, CO 80112


    Should I hire a lawyer or attorney to represent me for this settlement?
    Of course you may choose to have a lawyer represent you for this matter, but please remember that NagraStar is not responsible for any lawyer or attorney fees as a result. NagraStar also requires a letter of representation stating that your lawyer/attorney agrees to represent you in this legal matter.

    What does NagraStar define "piracy" as?
    NagraStar specifically focuses on battling piracy that allows others to illegally obtain programming from DISH Network and Bell TV. For a more comprehensive definition of what we consider piracy, please check out our What is Piracy? page.

    Who is NagraStar?
    NagraStar is a subsidiary of DISH Network and Kudelski Group. The NagraStar Field Security & Investigations Department researches and investigates re-sellers who sell devices and fraudulent subscriptions that enable the theft of DISH Network programming. The investigations also include end-users who purchase and view DISH Network programming illegally, without authorization or submitting proper payment to DISH Network.

    How do I know this is not a scam?
    NagraStar has several resources that prove our legitimate business. If you received a letter, please review the page sent with it, titled "Who is NagraStar?". You can also click on the provided link in case if you don't have this page. Online, you can find several articles and public lawsuits that validate NagraStar's relation with DISH Network. If applicable, NagraStar will include a judgement from your state with your letter. This judgment was awarded to NagraStar in Federal Court with facts and evidence similar to your case.


    If you are unfamiliar of what constitutes piracy to NagraStar, please check out our What is Piracy? page. The contents are included below:

    What is Piracy?
    Piracy is defined as the unauthorized duplication or use of copyrighted content that can then be sold at a lower prices in what is considered a "grey" market. NagraStar specifically focuses on piracy that infringes upon the Digital Copyright of television providers, DISH Network and Bell TV. This piracy was usually done in the form of Internet Key Sharing (IKS), a process that can allow a harmless Free-to-Air (FTA) receiver to receive premium encrypted television content without paying for a subscription. More recently, satellite piracy has shifted towards the form of Internet Protocol television (IPTV).

    What is IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)?
    IPTV is the delivery of television content through the internet, meaning there is no use for a satellite dish. IPTV can be legal, in the sense of Dish Network's Sling TV. IPTV can also be illegal though, where one pirate can aggregate feeds from different providers around the world to provide a cohesive service with hundreds of channels for a subscription fee. Also these pirate services can be much cheaper than the service Dish Network provides, there will commonly be more issues with outages and delays. Customer service is also incredibly lacking, if not non-existent, for these kind of services.

    What is “FTA” or “Free to Air” receivers?
    A free-to-air receiver is a slang name for a set top box that is used to receive a number of free over the air public broadcasts from various NON-premium radio and television providers, such as PBS, foreign language and religious broadcasts. The name “free to air” implies it’s used to obtain free broadcasts, although these are used in various places outside of North America as a premium paid satellite receiver. There are no premium based Television Broadcasts in North America used with a free to air set top box.

    Is it illegal to own and use a “Free to Air” receiver?
    It can be illegal to own certain types of Free to Air satellite receivers because a large number of modern free to air satellite receivers have been primarily designed for piracy by the manufacturer or have been modified by distributors, resellers, or end users in order to receive premium broadcasts or to accommodate a satellite dish that is pointed to any premium providers’ satellites, such as Dish Network or Bell TV (formerly Expressvu), or if it is one of several “FTA” receivers imported for piracy purposes.

    What is an FTA with IKS?
    An IKS or “Internet Key Sharing” module is either built in to the FTA receiver or it is a standalone device called a dongle. It is usually attached to an FTA receiver and then to an ethernet cable connected to the internet. The idea is that it will download unencrypted keys from an “off-shore” server that is connected to a premium provider such as Dish Network or Bell TV (formerly Expressvu). This IKS device then allows the receiver to unscramble premium broadcast channels.This is very illegal and usually results in severe criminal charges.

    Is an FTA box with IKS traceable?
    YES, absolutely. All IP addresses as well as mac addresses (your digital fingerprint) are stored in the offshore server, this unique address is required in order for the offshore server to send the information. There are numerous ways to trace these incoming and outgoing connections including the obvious server and end user ISP trace routes. These include previously and presently obtained IKS servers, legally obtained through search and seizure warrants, and tracing subscribed receivers used for IKS. In the digital age, NOTHING is untraceable, and all forms of piracy are eventually taken down.

    What is Digital Copyright?
    Copyright applies to any medium. It is commonly applied to music, film, photographs, literature art, television programs and more. Copyright protects artistic and creative works from copying and reproduction without the creator’s permission.

    What is the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)?
    It is a legal act that allows for the criminal prosecution of all copyright infringement cases, and has been used many times to prosecute and jail criminals associated with satellite piracy.
    More Info...

    What is the RICO act?
    In 1970, Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1961-1968. At the time, Congress’ goal was to eliminate the ill-effects of organized crime on the nation’s economy.Any person who operates or manages an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity may be in violation of the RICO Act. Any group may be a RICO enterprise regardless of whether its members wear pinstripes, poster boards, fatigues or hoods. More Info...

    Does organized Satellite theft fall under the RICO act?
    Yes absolutely. Manufacturers, importers, internet chat forums, dealers, and retailers are all involved in the organized proliferation of illegal satellite broadcasting theft. The proceeds of which are then funneled to other illicit organized crime syndicates and terrorist group activities.

    Can the satellite providers sue me for getting American satellite TV in Canada?
    Yes. Sections 9 and 10 of the Canadian Radiocommunication Act make it illegal to decode or to provide equipment or components to decode an encrypted subscription programming signal without authorization from the lawful distributor of that signal. Currently, no U.S. satellite signal provider is a lawful distributor in Canada, which means that no U.S. provider has the right to authorize the decoding of its programming in Canada. As a consequence, the decoding of U.S. programming in Canada is illegal, whether the person receiving the programming pays the provider for it (the “grey market”) or not (the”black market”). The Canadian Criminal Code, sections 326 and 327, also makes it illegal to steal or possess any device that allows a person to steal satellite signals. It is also illegal in Canada to assist others in decoding an encrypted programming signal without authorization, or “aid and abet” the offences under the Radiocommunication Act and Criminal Code, such as by providing information, advice, or assistance on how or where to engage in piracy.

    Are you really stealing if signals sent down from space are on my property?
    Yes, it is theft. It is stealing in the same manner as eating cookies from a girl scout before she sells them to you on your property. Stealing is theft; plain and simple, whether it is digital or a physical object.

    Will I be prosecuted?
    Yes, we utilize all possible civil and criminal resources to assist in the prosecution of theft of programming.

    Are Dealer and distributor records used to pursue end users?
    Yes, NagraStar and its affiliates have arguably the largest searchable and usable database of executable records in the world. These records are from seized evidence obtained from both civil and criminal prosecutions and multitudes of web crawling bots that constantly harvest all information and public posts on satellite piracy websites. The basic rule of thumb is: if it’s on the net, it’s known, harvested, investigated, and used.


    If you have more questions on what NagraStar is and how we are a legitimate business, please review our Who is NagraStar? page. The contents are included below:

    Who is NagraStar?
    NagraStar is a subsidiary of DISH Network and Kudelski Group. The NagraStar Field Security & Investigations Department researches and investigates re-sellers who sell devices and fraudulent subscriptions that enable the theft of DISH Network programming. The investigations also include end-users who purchase and view DISH Network programming illegally, without authorization or submitting proper payment to DISH Network.

    What can I do to validate NagraStar’s legitimacy?
    Feel free to use the following resources to satisfy your concern:
    • NagraStar’s outside legal counsel is located in Houston, Texas:
      Hagan, Noll & Boyle, LLC (HNB)
      (713) 343-0478
      820 Gessner Rd
      Houston, TX 77024
      HNB Website

      Please be advised that HNB does not possess any specific information regarding your case, because it has not been referred yet. The letter you received from NagraStar is a pre-suit settlement offer.
    • You may contact DISH Network’s customer service line at 1 (800) 333-3474 to verify Bert Eichhorn, Manager of Field Security & Investigations for NagraStar, contact information in the employee system called The Hop.
    • If applicable, NagraStar has included a judgment from your State in your letter. This judgment was awarded to NagraStar in Federal Court with facts and evidence similar to your case. You may search the case number to review the entire document as it is public record. This individual did not resolve this matter with NagraStar and was referred to NagraStar’s outside legal counsel. End User settlements can also be found on our website here.

    If your question if not listed above, then feel free to post in this forum. Please make sure you are familiar with our Site Rules before posting. Remember, DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFO. Revealing info about yourself or doxxing others is a bannable offense, and your post will be removed.

    This forum is not for posting tips or reporting piracy. For the sake of anonymity, all reports and tips must be sent through the Contact Us page found near the bottom. Any posts containing piracy reports will be removed.

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