It is used by millions of people around the country to stream TV, films and sports.

But Kodi users are being warned that the controversial software could soon be banned as the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a review to put a stop to the sale and use of the devices.

The government agency is holding consultations with several groups with “experience of investigating and prosecuting offences related to streaming devices.”

Although the Kodi software itself is not illegal, the IPO is specifically targeting the sale of “fully-loaded” Kodi boxes, which come with illegal video add-ons pre-installed.

Selling these boxes is a breach of the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

“Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) boxes (also known as set-top boxes, Android TV boxes or Kodi boxes) are small plug and play media servers, originally designed to allow consumers to stream legitimate content (locally stored or legal online content),” said the IPO.

In a post about its consultation about Kodi Boxes, the IPO said: “Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) boxes (also known as set-top boxes, Android TV boxes or Kodi boxes) are small plug and play media servers, originally designed to allow consumers to stream legitimate content (locally stored or legal online content).

“Despite the legitimate use of this equipment, software is widely available (illicit Kodi extensions being the best known) which connect the boxes to illegal content through streaming websites, file lockers and BitTorrent trackers.”

According to the IPO, the sale of the “fully loaded” Kodi boxes has triggered a sharp increase in use from consumers breaking copyright laws.

They added: “Broadcasters and content owners have voiced concerns that, although a range of existing legislation applies to the sale and use of these devices (as well as the provision of illicit content streams), the legal framework does not provide sufficient tools to tackle this growing threat.”

The Intellectual Property Office’s consultations will end on April 7.

The Premier League itself has also taken steps to shut down the illegal streaming of matches.

It has secured a High Court order that allows it to shut down illegal video streams of football matches on Kodi by blocking access to the computer servers on which they are hosted.

Until now, rights holders could only shut down individual streams, which could be re-established relatively easily, so fighting piracy was like a game of whack-a-mole.

A Premier League spokesman told BBC News the ruling would allow it to target pirates in a more “precise manner”.

Earlier this year, a man from Teesside was hit with a £250,000 bill for selling “fully-loaded” Kodi boxes to pubs and clubs.

Malcolm Mayes, from Hartlepool, was found guilty of selling Kodi boxes that had been modified to allow users to freely view content that should be paid for.

The boxes, which he sold for around £1,000 each, enabled his customers to stream live “pay to view” content - including live Premier League football - free of charge. Mr Mayes falsely claimed that they were “100% legal”.

“I hope this conviction sends a clear message that criminal activity doesn’t pay,” said Lord Toby Harris, chair of National Trading Standards.

“I would also warn any person or business selling or operating such a device that they are in breach of copyright law.”