How to make TV licensing go away?

derrick

moonrakerz wrote: »

Perhaps my complaining to my MP got that introduced - it used to be just an 0870 number !!

Don't think it is widely known, not on their website, they now use 0844 800 6790 since just before the revenue sharing stopped on 0870 so that they can go on revenue sharing on the 0844 number.

Volcano

My favourite site, about a guy who's not had a licence for over 3 years:
http://www.bbctvlicence.com/index.htm

He also explains here about withdrawing the 'implied right of access', that then makes it an offence for TVL to enter your property: http://www.bbctvlicence.com/Must%20read!.htm

carriebradshaw wrote: »

even if your tv is in a room without an aerial point, if you have a point anywhere in your home & a tv that could be connected to it for viewing you could still be liable for the licence charge

No you're not. See here: http://www.bbctvlicence.com/Questions%20and%20answers.htm
and scroll down to the Vladimir Bukovsky letters. The offence is actually watching television programmes without a licence as they are being broadcast. There's no offence of possessing the means to watch television programmes!

Altarf

Volcano wrote: »

The offence is actually watching television programmes without a licence as they are being broadcast

To be pedantic the offence is using the television receiving equipment. For example using a video recorder without a TV connected to it is still illegal if you don't have a licence.

Volcano wrote: »

There's no offence of possessing the means to watch television programmes!

But if you have a TV plugged in to an aerial and tuned to the local TV stations, even if it is not turned on, you might have difficulty in persuading a magistrate that you had not been using it.

Volcano

Altarf wrote: »

To be pedantic the offence is using the television receiving equipment.

I should have been clearer, the offence is receiving live television programmes.

For example using a video recorder without a TV connected to it is still illegal if you don't have a licence.

I assume you mean to receive programmes? Yes, but not of course to watch videos.

But if you have a TV plugged in to an aerial and tuned to the local TV stations, even if it is not turned on, you might have difficulty in persuading a magistrate that you had not been using it.

It's TVL's job to prove you were using it. As with any prosecution, they'll only take to court those cases they'll think they'll win:

"Yeah, but I's don't use it, does I? I jus' gotta playstation an' stuff" will be far more likely to be taken to court, than "I'm sorry sir, but if you check the Telecommunications Act in greater detail you will find I am correct. Address any further communication to my solicitor" (and I'm sure the former will be more likely to lose their case if it does), EVEN THOUGH their usage of television sets may be identical.

If you genuinely do not need a TV licence and can do a bit of research and string a sentence together, then you're extremely unlikely to be taken to court.

Altarf

Volcano wrote: »

If you genuinely do not need a TV licence and can do a bit of research and string a sentence together, then you're extremely unlikely to be taken to court.

I note your faith in the system by saying "extremely unlikely" rather than "won't be".

zara*elise

Jo_F wrote: »

And you do not have to let them into your house, no matter what they say, they do not have the right of entry

When we bought our place we spent a few months doing it up and ignored all TV licencing letters etc as it was literally four walls and a roof, we weren't even living there.

A few months later when we were ready to move in, the intercom buzzed and the guy on the other end said he was from DHL delivering a parcel. As we were waiting for the TV to be delivered I thuoght it was that and let him in. Turns out he was from TV licencing, had no parcel and demended to be let into the flat! I point blank refused and explained to him that I would complain for him blatantly lying to me and gaining access to the property by false means and he soon left.

When we got the TV we of course paid for the licence, but just be aware they will do anything to get in... including lie out of their backsides.

xxxxx

moonrakerz

Altarf wrote: »

But if you have a TV plugged in to an aerial and tuned to the local TV stations, even if it is not turned on, you might have difficulty in persuading a magistrate that you had not been using it.

Sorry Altarf, but this is where the propaganda and misinformation from TVL starts to become "truth".

1. The offence is watching or recording live televison NOT owning a TV that is capable of doing this. YOU don't have to persuade the Magistrate of anything - TVL have to prove that you were acting illegally. This is the basis of all of TVL's publicity - to make YOU think you are in the the wrong, when you are not !
This is akin to saying you are guilty of speeding when your Aston Martin is in the garage, just because it can do 160mph !

Gers

Reminds me of the old joke:

A couple goes on vacation to a fishing resort in northern Minnesota. The husband likes to fish at the crack of dawn. The wife likes to read.

One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a short nap. Although she isn't familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat.

She motors out a short distance, anchors, and continues to read her book. Along comes the game warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside her and says,"Good morning, Ma'am, what are you doing?"

"Reading my book," she replies, thinking isn't that obvious?

"You're in a restricted fishing area," he informs her.

"But officer, I'm not fishing. Can't you see that?"

"Yes, but you have all the equipment. I'll have to take you in and write you up."

"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with rape," says the woman.

"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.

"That's true, but you do have all the equipment."

Altarf

moonrakerz wrote: »

YOU don't have to persuade the Magistrate of anything

So if you are being prosecuted for not having a licence, how do you think the magistrate is going to view the case when they hear that you have a TV plugged in to an aerial and tuned to the local TV stations, and you are protesting that you just use it for watching pre-recorded DVDs.

I can't see it helping your case.

honeyD

Question:
Say you have a TV licence which expires at the end of the month and you tv breaks so you dont have one and until you get another you have no need for a licence.
What do you do about it? Can you just wait to get a new one and not enter the code for your last licence? I assume it would backdate if you did? Im not sure how it all works, Im new to this kind of thing! If anyone can explain I would be grateful.
Thanks