Dodgy box users could be facing huge fines next year as Sky considers an innovative new way to crackdown on the practice. 

Although it is illegal, an estimated one in five Irish households use a dodgy box, which allows them to stream premium content for free. 

Such widespread flouting of the law costs streamers millions of euro in revenue every year and broadcasters have long plotted how best to crack down on the practice. 

A spokesperson for Sky told the Irish Independent that they are currenly examining how "feasible" fines would be; if it is, then "we’ll look to do it here," they promised.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Irish Independent Tech Editor Adrian Weckler explained that it means the day where dodgy box users are fined is “getting closer”. 

 “What the authorities here are doing, led by Sky, is they want to copy what Italy has done,” he explained. 

“Italy has tweaked its law and, for the first time, in May, it sent out 2,266 administrative fines. 

“So, a little bit like you got a penalty point; you get a letter in the post, in your mail box to say that you’ve been caught illegally streaming and here’s your fine of between €154 and €5,000.”

A TV remote control. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Mr Weckler continued that this would mean a “real sea change” in how dodgy boxes are dealt with. 

“Right till now, the Guards have said, ‘No, it’s too complicated and there are too many people using dodgy boxes and the prosecution goes through the court and it’s all a big palava’,” he said.  

“So, they just go after the sellers and the distributors. 

“Now, for the first time, they’re starting to put their eyes on the end users.” 

To those wondering how Gardaí might find out if they are using a dodgy box, Mr Weckler said the Italian police have a simple way of finding out. 

“When the Guards actually raid the cellars or the distributors, they have lists of customers,” he said. 

“They just put two and two together. 

“I think there is a process by which they try and confirm the IP addresses as well. 

“But basically, they just look at the lists and they send you - it’s not even a cease and desist - it’s a fine.” 

A TV remote. Picture by: Allard Schager / Alamy.com.

Mr Weckler continued that while people are up “almost every year”, so far users have been mostly left alone. 

“If you throw a stone, somebody will tell you, ‘Yeah, I kind of use one,’” he said. 

“So, this is why this is such a sensitive topic for a lot of people.” 

Mr Weckler added that Sky hope to see fines introduced “as soon as possible” but that it might involve a slight change in the legislation. 

“It is illegal and you are liable to be brought to prosecution, it’s just that they don’t do it at the moment,” he said. 

“So, they would have to introduce a mechanism for administrative fines.” 

He predicted that fines could become a reality “before the end of next year”.

Main image: A TV Remote. Picture by: Allard Schager / Alamy