The future for those using Kodi-powered devices to stream copyrighted content for free is looking grim following the announcement that a Swiss digital security company will be targeting third-party Kodi add-ons.

NAGRA, part of the Kudelski Group, designs digital encryption systems for a number of products, including cable and satellite TV feeds in order to secure copyrighted content from potential pirates.

NAGRA currently provides content protection for media-streaming global giant, Netflix.

Kodi is a free, open-source media platform that is completely legal. It can be installed on a wide-range of devices, but the software can be used to run third-party add-ons which enable users to access copyright-protected material for free.

NAGRA and the International Broadcaster Coalition Against Piracy (IBCAP) have announced plans "to bring a new generation of anti-piracy technology and services" to broadcasters and content distributors, reports Torrent Freak.

Little is known about how NAGRA plans to tackle those who use Kodi to access copyrighted material for free.

However, the Swiss company confirmed that it plans to establish a lab designed solely to monitor and detect any unauthorised use of content via set-top boxes, websites or other streaming platforms.

Kodi is not the only software that enables the streaming of copyrighted material – but it is one of the most well-known.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) branded the use of Kodi software to tune into pirated streams as an "epidemic".