How to get out of paying TV license (yes, REALLY)

HappyMJ

gemmanemesis1 wrote: »

So disappointed But Multimedia hard drives are still a way out of it, and they are great! Just gotta get one now.

Technically you are recording live TV and that is the offence. Personally, it sounds like you do not wish to pay and that is fine....just don't pay but don't give your details to any TV licensing agents at the door in the hope that this may be legal. They'll still take you to court and rubber stamp a conviction against you.

They do not have a detector. The so called detector that you mentioned earlier is the TV licensing person at the door physically looking at the telly showing a live TV broadcast. They cannot tell any other way.

gemmanemesis1

Online catch upTV services are fine, because you are not recording or watching live TV at the time it is broadcast, the programmes are streamed from an online source which is an independent service. I am 100% sure about this, I have read the Communications Act. Tv Licencing even specify that you are allowed to use these services without a licence through your television, but you must not have the TV set up with an aerial or cable, as this implies an intent to watch or record live TV. In this case the TV essentially becomes a just a monitor for an internet service.
When I talked to them I did stipulate that PCs have access to live TV, but that they would not force a TV licence on a person without a TV just because they might access live TV online. I explained that I am using my TIVO solely for the same catch up services available to anyone with a PC, so why should I have to pay for a licence when someone with just a PC with the same capabilities doesn't? They say that the difference lies in the fact that the primary function of a TIVO box is to show live TV, which I disagree with, as it depends on how a person chooses to use it.
Also, apparently if you allow one of their officers into your home, they may check your internet history to verify that you have not been watching live TV online. I doubt they would do this somehow!
Anyway, the jist of it is that TIVO users who dont use live TV are penalised arbitrarily. It is presumed that you use it for live TV even if you do not, but you could be watching live TV all day on a PC and never be accused.

baza52

The TV License also covers Radio.
Better get rid of those too

gemmanemesis1

baza52 wrote: »

The TV License also covers Radio.
Better get rid of those too

Ha ha! I could play their game and go out into the street and play really loud music that's not to everyone's taste and invoice them all because they have heard it..Or better yet, charge people who didn't even hear it because they had the ability to walk out into the street and hear it lol
I would then send a threatening letter saying, "it has been brought to my attention that you have fully functioning ears as part of your anatomy, and therefore possess the potential to recieve and enjoy the music that I play in the street, therefore you must contact me to arrange payment to avoid legal action.":rotfl:

Kurtis_Blue

Get a grip, If you are going to get angry about something delve a little deeper the TVL is £150, it is nothing.

baza52

By the time you have bought your Tivo and now a hrd drive player, would it not be simpler to buy a license?
You obviously can afford it or you wouldnt be buying more hardware.
I guess you pay Virgin too.

gemmanemesis1

Comments like that really frustrate me. I have the CHOICE to buy Virgin or more hardware, and I am paying for a service I actually use. Don't you see the difference? I don't like being forced to pay for the BBC when I couldn't care less if I didn't have their channels. It's the principle of it.

gemmanemesis1

And don't tell me to get a grip. It doesn't matter if it's £1 or £150. What's this site called again?

barbarawright

Make up your mind. Is it a moral objection to public service broadcasting or is it that you can't afford a tv licence (as you say in your first post)?

gjchester

gemmanemesis1 wrote: »

Ha ha! I could play their game and go out into the street and play really loud music that's not to everyone's taste and invoice them all because they have heard it..Or better yet, charge people who didn't even hear it because they had the ability to walk out into the street and hear it

Correct but you missed out the fact you need a PRS licence to play music in any venue that may be overheard by members of the public and they can run into thousands.

Your right about not needing to be licenced if you don't have the ability to watch live TV, however how does the BBC get the money to fund programs and catchup services if no-one pays the licence fee.

Someone I worked with in the past had no TV by choice for 10 years, (only changed as his kids needed one as the school started to set homework based on tv news and events) and the licence people knew it. However but it didn't stop him being harrassed by post and calls every year that he needed a licence until he invited them in to check, and yes it was yearly they did it even though it was on file with them.