I understand that xtream codes was a platform that could be used as a system to administer users, add/remove streams etc. but never had they hosted any streams themselves. I wonder on what legal grounds they were brought down. If they can go down merely for providing a means to enable IPTV services, then infomir, formuler and other box companies should be prosecuted as well. It just doesn’t make sense.
The story going around is that either the company itself or some of the employees were actually selling IPTV on the side.
Infomir has previously issued a public press release already to state that it is co-operating with rights holders in order to actively block any reported illegal portals from its boxes, and users have indeed found themselves blocked from various services since.
https://www.infomir.eu/eng/press-center/news/201-infomir-protects-the-copyright/
In relation to the other manufacturers, I guess its only a matter of time before they too are approached or are the subject of complaints and it will be down to them whether they voluntarily agree to co-operate, or to put up resistance.
Probably the best option would be to purchase a generic unbranded Android box from China, where its sold under about 107 different 'names' and virtually impossible to discover the Original factory who produced it, and then download an app to your liking. But then you could also ask the question, how long before they start going after the app authors?.
Can't speak to the laws in other countries, but in the US companies are found liable frequently in similar situations, essentially saying the companies remain willfully ignorant despite being aware of illegal activity.
Similar reason I'm guessing why Kodi works hard to distance itself from sketchy add ons, and keep reasonable deniability
They fucked up by centralising it in the wrong way and loosing plausible deniability.
Even if they werent selling IPTV on the side, as far as the authorities are concerned, what does it matter. So, they confiscate the servers of this little software company, knowing that they will cause a disruption to MANY other services, even maybe causing some to shut down. When it is time to go to court, "oh, we found they don't do anything illegal, Oh Well...." and they give the servers back. but how long has this taken? the business is likely shut at that point since they haven't had their servers, and the reputation of the company is likely shot since it got wrapped up in the litigation. for the authorities, its a win win, even if they have to dismiss the case.