Dont need a TV licence

Cornucopia

Which EU countries have the same model of enforcement as ours (and don't have plans to change)? For a start, not France, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Italy or Portugal.

There are dozens of questionable aspects to Licence enforcement - not just those associated with the ECHR. There are also a whole group related to PACE.

It's a fundamental failing of forums that I can't realistically post all of them on every one of my posts about this topic. However, they all remain relevant at all times. I appreciate that means that most contibutors to the discussion won't be aware of them all, but I do think it is reasonable to expect that everyone knows the basics. That is, that the LF is enforced mainly using door-to-door invasive techniques that are not explicitly authorised by law. There's not really much point in having a Right to Privacy if all any public authority has to do is rock up at your door and demand to enter, or bluff their way in.

Before anyone says that all people need to do is educate themselves, and be prepared to say "no", well... that's not really what Rights are about is it? We expect public authorities to respect Rights by default so that we only need to rely on our own knowledge when they make (rare) mistakes.

EdSwippet

Dave.44 wrote: »

I am already clobbered. To meet the TVL rules, I have 3 TV licences and only one pair of eyes.

But even if you are 'overcharged' at least you are consuming TV. Any 'overcharging' is a separate issue, and an artefact of the way the current rules are implemented.

On the other hand, suggesting that other people should pay for something they do not consume, purely so that you can then pay less, reveals an unflattering attitude.

Dave.44

Cornucopia wrote: »

You require 3 Licences for 3 different properties?

There are options for addressing that.

Yes that's correct 3 properties that I own and personally use. Tell me about it.
I know about the home licence covering a laptop but whether that extends to a second property is getting into the gray areas.

Cornucopia

Four options:-

1. Once you have 1 Licence, it also covers to you to watch TV anywhere on portable equipment (which would include a Laptop powered by its own batteries and connected to Wifi).

2. Anyone can watch on-demand content from all broadcasters except the BBC anywhere without a Licence.

3. With a Licence, you can additionally to (2) download content from iPlayer at your Licensed location to take to watch anywhere.

4. You can download content anywhere using a portable device powered by its own batteries, and then watch it anywhere, even if it then becomes necessary to attach it to the mains power.

boliston

Dave.44 wrote: »

Yes that's correct 3 properties that I own and personally use. Tell me about it.
I know about the home licence covering a laptop but whether that extends to a second property is getting into the gray areas.

Sounds like you are fine as long as you don't connect the laptop to the mains whilst watching live tv or iplayer - this means making sure it is charged before starting to watch live tv or iplayer. Might be an idea to have a spare battery and charger so you can watch almost continuously without any break whilst at your 2 unlicensed properties.

I'm wondering if a desktop pc powered by a UPS would be "legit" as it's "portable" in that it is easily carried and would not be mains powered if run off a UPS.

Cornucopia

boliston wrote: »

I'm wondering if a desktop pc powered by a UPS would be "legit" as it's "portable" in that it is easily carried and would not be mains powered if run off a UPS.

No, the batteries need to be internal to the device to qualify.

KingS6

Cornucopia wrote: »

Which EU countries have the same model of enforcement as ours (and don't have plans to change)? For a start, not France, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Italy or Portugal.

There are dozens of questionable aspects to Licence enforcement - not just those associated with the ECHR. There are also a whole group related to PACE.

It's a fundamental failing of forums that I can't realistically post all of them on every one of my posts about this topic. However, they all remain relevant at all times. I appreciate that means that most contibutors to the discussion won't be aware of them all, but I do think it is reasonable to expect that everyone knows the basics. That is, that the LF is enforced mainly using door-to-door invasive techniques that are not explicitly authorised by law. There's not really much point in having a Right to Privacy if all any public authority has to do is rock up at your door and demand to enter, or bluff their way in.

Before anyone says that all people need to do is educate themselves, and be prepared to say "no", well... that's not really what Rights are about is it? We expect public authorities to respect Rights by default so that we only need to rely on our own knowledge when they make (rare) mistakes.

This. In no way, shape or form could I have put it better myself.

boliston

Cornucopia wrote: »

No, the batteries need to be internal to the device to qualify.

I guess you would need to buy a desktop with a case large enough for internally mounted batteries.

almillar

buy a desktop

I think the rules area fairly clear on this one, and that a 'desktop' (the clue's in the name) PC is not a portable device. Why would you hack one to install batteries, instead of simply use a laptop?!

boliston

almillar wrote: »

I think the rules area fairly clear on this one, and that a 'desktop' (the clue's in the name) PC is not a portable device. Why would you hack one to install batteries, instead of simply use a laptop?!

Not everyone has a laptop - I only ever need to use a computer at home so no point in having a laptop. If I owned a second home I'd probably buy a basic desktop to watch iplayer on but get a case that would accommodate a battery. If anyone were to challenge me on portability I would pick it up and carry it across the room as proof.