TV licensing threats

Kayak10

Cornucopia wrote: »

It's a good question. The legislation would be the Protection from Harassment Act and the Malicious Communications Act.

The issue is the exemptions within both of those Acts. In the case of PFHA, there is an exemption for law enforcement activities. (Therefore it would need a judge to decide whether TVL activities are truly law enforcement or something else).

In the case of MCA, there is an exemption for communications in pursuit of a "proper purpose". Again, a Judge would need to decide whether TVL activities are proper.

On the side of them being "proper" is the requirement for BBC to enforce the law in the Communications Act. On the side of them being improper is the ban on public authorities interfering with citizens' privacy (in the absence of explicit legislative justification) in the Human Rights Act.

It's really sad to say in my experience these bodies that are supposed to protect the general public from unscrupulous company's are as much use as a chocolate tea pot :rotfl:

Kayak10

Cornucopia wrote: »

No - Hooloovoo is correct. You can watch solely catch-up TV, and you don't need a licence.

BBC/TVL are not happy about it, and there is an on-going debate on the subject, but for the time being, that is the law.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ103

It is my understanding if you have a tv in the property as I have and like me don't have a PC or broadband you are required by law to have a license Even if you don't watch broadcasted TV ie watch videos excetera

Cornucopia

It's still a "no", I'm afraid.

You ONLY need a licence if you watch or record TV broadcasts, including watching the live streams of iPlayer, etc.

Anything/everything else is presently outside the scope of the licence, including "local" video sources like DVDs, CCTV and Video Games.

It's a licence for reception of TV, not a licence on the ownership of equipment.

Deadbeat

Kayak10 wrote: »

It is my understanding if you have a tv in the property as I have and like me don't have a PC or broadband you are required by law to have a license Even if you don't watch broadcasted TV ie watch videos excetera

The answer to that is right there on the same FAQ list.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ8

Hooloovoo

Kayak10 wrote: »

It is my understanding if you have a tv in the property as I have and like me don't have a PC or broadband you are required by law to have a license Even if you don't watch broadcasted TV ie watch videos excetera

Please read the FAQ. The link is provided in the post you quoted.

Yours is a common misunderstanding and you're not doing anything to help promote the dissemination of correct information.

orangeslimes

Kayak10 wrote: »

It is my understanding if you have a tv in the property as I have and like me don't have a PC or broadband you are required by law to have a license Even if you don't watch broadcasted TV ie watch videos excetera

No it's not... just don't plug your tv in to receive tv signals, and you don't need to pay the license.
I lived in a flat where we had a tv set where an xbox and wii were plugged in, but we didn't use the tv part. The tv people came and inspected and that was fine.

I don't currently have a tv licence and am quite surprised not to have been contacted about it at all, but I have in the past and they are threatening and aggressive, and designed to scare people. In a previous address they phoned up my flatmate repeatedly about it in the run up to our licence expiring, even though I told them we still hadn't decided whether to keep the tv.

Hooloovoo

Kayak10 wrote: »

When I posted this I thought I was starting a whole new thread as I'm fairly new to this

You did indeed start a whole new thread.

However, you posted your thread on the section of the forum specific to "credit cards".

This thread would be better posted here, in the section related to "TV moneysaving":

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=183

You'll find there are already several threads related to the TV licence.

Hadrian

I reached the grand old age of 75 recently and had great satisfaction in knowing that I shall no longer have to subscribe to the BBC's rubbishy programs. I've watched TV since the early 50's, (one channel and black and white and a 12" screen!!), and can honestly say I have never know the programs be so utterly banal. If this is what this country has reduced itself to then heaven help us as most of the BBC's programs are pandering to the lowest common denominator. So, pay up and look happy, you've deserved it.:rotfl:

Hooloovoo

orangeslimes wrote: »

The tv people came and inspected and that was fine.

I don't really understand the point of this.

I only have a media PC connected to my display equipment. If I should allow them access to inspect, which I most certainly will not be doing, what exactly are they going to inspect? The fact there isn't an aerial and TV card in the PC is irrelevant - I could still be viewing live TV broadcasts over the internet.

Are they going to stay and watch me permanently to make sure I never do anything illegal with any equipment I own? Do I get to charge them rent as a lodger? I don't really want a lodger.

Cornucopia

Indeed - it is the fundamental fallacy of trying to prove a negative, and of trying to prove a negative today that lasts for an indefinite period of time.

They are never going to be truly persuaded that we won't break the law when they are not looking, and we are never going to be satisfied that their level of intrusion is justified.

It's why the law (AFAICT) was never set up to work in the way the BBC are applying it.