More and more people are turning to Kodi as their main source for streaming sport, movies and TV shows. But is it legal?

The recent conviction of Gavin Gray, who pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud and offences under the Copyright Designs Patents Act 1988, for enabling people to illegally access premium digital broadcast channels without paying a subscription looks like the start of a nationwide crackdown.

Read more: Man, 25, first in Scotland convicted of TV broadcasts 'card sharing'

But what about Kodi?

Kodi is an open-source platform allowing users to download a range of program and video add-ons, but some of the most popular sources fall into that grey area between legal and illegal. 

Android-enabled devices are the most common source of the Kodi platform due to their low costs and easy retail accessibility. The devices are especially popular with viewers wanting to watch Pay Per View (PPV) events, newly released movies and top-flight football matches. 

Glasgow Times:

Is Kodi legal?

The Kodi source itself is not illegal. 

Having it on your Android enabled device is not illegal.

It's what you choose to watch on it that can potentially make using it illegal.

Kodi: A quick guide to the media player that's taking the country by storm

But, realistically the only reason most people are putting Kodi on their device is to watch PPV content - without paying for it. 

However, there are people using Kodi and paying for PPV content and other online subscription services. 

The use of Kodi appears to be the latest craze in piracy and is being taken very seriously by the authorities. 

Glasgow Times:

There are Kodi boxes available online that come pre-loaded or altered in order to allow users to access copyrighted content such as Sky Sports, or movies that are currently only available in the cinema.

Authorities argue it is illegal to modify these boxes to receive such media content and by using it people are knowingly commiitting an illegal act. 

Read more: The best Kodi add-ons you CAN use without breaking copyright laws

Could you be prosecuted?

A man was jailed for four years after being found guilty of selling more than 1,000 pre-loaded boxes to pubs, which were used to stream Premiere League football games. 

Reecent arrests in Manchester and Belfast also indicate time is running out for suppliers of these boxes. 

Gavin Gray was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work in the community and must wear a tag for 12 months.