Let’s dive into this question. It seems like a pretty normal question, asking if the android box is legal. However, the fact that it is a frequently asked question means that people face a lot of confusion regarding it. So, lets settle the answer to the question today.
The android box itself is not illegal. It is a 100 percent legal product and the fact that many big companies create these boxes, do successful branding and marketing without any consequences means that the device itself is not illegal at all.
That means you can buy and sell these products without the fear that one day the police are going to show up on your step, banging on the door waiting to arrest you.
Then why are people so concerned about being legal or illegal?
Well, there is a reason for that too. Although Android boxes themselves are not illegal, what people do with these boxes could be.
If you are a normal everyday individual, then you are probably going to use the Android box to stream YouTube, Netflix or other video streaming platforms to watch your favorite shows and nothing more than that. But then, there are other kinds of people too.
People who would install such services or apps on the Android box that would gain unauthorized use of copyrighted products.
Piracy – A worldwide Cybercrime
This is by far one of the biggest problems of the digital world where people will use such softwares or services without the owner’s or company’s authorization.
For example, people pay for monthly subscription of services like Spotify, Netflix and others. However, some people use such software that gives them unrestricted use of the said services without paying a dime for it.
It does not mattery what device you are performing this act on, the act will remain illegal. And if you do such stuff on your Android box, then this kind of usage of Android box becomes illegal.
Other Problems Associated with Legality – Modifications
There are some other aspects of Android box too which bring about the question of legality and make us wonder if what we are doing will get us in trouble with authorities.
Thus, lets clear some of the actions associated with Android box and understand if they are legal or illegal.
The first one on our list is modifications. If you modify an Android box or end up purchasing a modified one which gives you access to restricted channels or paid ones for free, then understand clearly that this is an illegal act.
It is upon the sellers and the consumers that they do not do any such modification with the device.
If you are asked to pay additional amount during the purchase
This is another one of those instances which should alert you. If you went to some shop to buy a TV box and the shop keeper is asking you for additional money for a “better version of the same thing” then run out of this deal as soon as you can.
You might have checked the price of that model beforehand on the internet and thus if they are asking for extra money saying it is for the app subscriptions or something else like that, it means that he has installed some kind of software on your device which would give you access to copyrighted content.
This is not just illegal but since the seller has messed with the Android box, who knows he might have also installed spyware onto your device which would then lead to stealing of personal data or hacking of your TV too.
Add-ons
Android boxes are pre loaded with third part software. The only thing that needs to be kept in mind while using the set top box is that do not use any kind of service that would infringe someone else’s copyrights.
If your seller is asking fees for any 3rd party addons, it means that it is wrong. Paying for any such addon as well as selling it is illegal and should not happen.
User and Seller Liability
Selling an Android box with illegal content already installed on it would be illegal for you as the seller. Today, software piracy is so widespread that many people engage in it consciously and even fail to recognize that it is illegal.
Even though such users typically escape punishment, they would be held criminally responsible if ever discovered.
Thus, regular streaming on Android TV boxes is permitted. The unauthorized use of android tv boxes is a felony, but it doesn’t always have serious repercussions in places where technology is still establishing its place in common households like the third world countries.
Most of the time, those that are participating are never actually caught. However, an offender faces severe fines and is subject to the authority’s judgment in developed nations like the US and the UK.
Conclusion
The bottom line here is that copyright infringement is illegal and can lead server consequences in the form of heavy fines. It is entirely lawful to buy or sell the hardware in question i.e., the Android box.
If you use a media streamer to view your own videos, or a licensed copy of the program, or paid streaming services, you are safe. However, you risk getting into trouble if the set-top box comes with pre-installed pirated software or uses unlawful services.
