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If you are one of the many Brits to use less-than-reputable websites for TV streaming - or maybe even films - you could be set to receive a scary letter.

Major internet service providers (ISPs) from across the UK, many of which Brummies will be signed up with, are about to start sending out scary letters.

The providers - which include Sky, BT, Virgin Media and TalkTalk - will start sending the mail when they detect that a broadband connection has been used to watch pirated TV shows or movies.

The companies began sending out the first batch of letters on Tuesday, January 17.

Customers who use torrenting websites, software and apps to actually download the content are said to be the first to be targeted.

They will receive their letters ahead of anyone who uses the services to stream the videos.

But if you are starting to panic, fear not.

The letter - which could land on doormats this week - just explains where you can download the content legally and in this instance doesn’t necessarily mean you will be prosecuted.

The letter reads: “Get it Right is a government-backed campaign acting for copyright owners who think their content’s been shared without their permission.

“It looks like someone has been using your broadband to share copyrighted material (that means things like music, films, sport or books).

“And as your broadband provider, we have to let you know when this happens."

(Image: PA)

But it is not yet clear what happens if users repeatedly ignore the letters.

A potentially landmark case in the pipeline is that of Teesside trader Brian Thompson, which is one of the first prosecutions relating to the sale of Android or Kodi boxes which are commonly used for streaming TV and films.

He has vowed to fight the case but if found guilty it could spark a wave of prosecutions and effectively outlaw the kit.

If not, it could mean the powers that be decide against any further court cases - meaning the boxes will be effectively legal.

Kodi itself is legal and downloading it will not result in receiving any letters.

What will result in a letter, however, is using the addons inside a modified version of Kodi to stream pirated content.