lost BBC channels

davidlizard

It is relevant because that is the law. TVL clarify things.

The Communication Act, which needs to be read alongside the Communication Regulations, makes it quite clear that you only require a television licence for watching TV as it is broadcast (albeit on TV, computers, phones, video recorders etc). There are plenty of websites that will show the precise wording of the relevant sections.

As TVL are the ones that initiate prosecutions, are they realistically going to put things on their website that state the circumstances for licence is not required, when in fact they are?

Even this website is clear on this matter (see under section Do you need a licence?): http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence

If someone fails to turn up in court to defend themselves, then of course they will lose.

Analogies to drunks sitting in cars is irrelevant - thats a totally different law and nothing to do with TV licencing.

TVL do recommend that the set is detuned - there is no requirement for "tuners to be professionally disabled or removed".

So my point stands - you do not require a TV licence for simply owning a television set. Its no risk whatsoever - the law is clear on this.

I have first hand experience of this - a visit from "enforcement officers" (who I did not let in) followed by a court summons. After following legal advice from my TU, the case was dropped before getting to court - the onus was on them to prove I was watching live television - not on me to prove I was not - English law does not require double negatives to be proven in this context - you cannot prove you were not doing something.

djohn2002uk

davidlizard wrote: »

It is relevant because that is the law. TVL clarify things.
.

But none of it is relevant to the original post. This thread has been hi-jacked and the OP is now not getting any help at all because of it.

davidlizard

I fully agree - however if some information that is incorrect is posted, then it is important that a forum members points this out so people who read this thread later will not act on misleading or incorrect information.

My posts were at least money saving - i.e. do not waste money on a licence if you do not legally require one (unlike some earlier posts in this thread).