Computer - Television - license

littleowl

Wow! Thanks that just might be the answer!..So - if I can do that and watch iplayer or 4 OD I don't need a license?

Domokun

I'm not going to give a definite answer here, because it's legal advice and I'm just Average Joe. Seems from that blog that you don't need one to watch from a computer, but just having a television... you will need to ask someone else who 100% knows. I should think that if the chaps pop round and ask why you have a TV but not a lisence, saying "I only watch Iplayer/4OD on it" might not go down too well.

£1000 fine and court action says: Check thoroughly.

bat999

Hi
This is what you're up against:-http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030021_en_34

littleowl

Domokun wrote: »

I'm not going to give a definite answer here, because it's legal advice and I'm just Average Joe. Seems from that blog that you don't need one to watch from a computer, but just having a television... you will need to ask someone else who 100% knows. I should think that if the chaps pop round and ask why you have a TV but not a lisence, saying "I only watch Iplayer/4OD on it" might not go down too well.

£1000 fine and court action says: Check thoroughly.

I understand that. My original point is that I resent paying a television license fee for watching one programme a night. Some might say that is reasonable but I don't think so. If I only watch programmes through iPlayer or 4OD then it seems that a license may not be required as one is not watching in real time. However, if that is true it is quite possible that such a loophole might be closed in the future.:rolleyes:

littleowl

bat999 wrote: »

Hi
This is what you're up against:-http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030021_en_34

Precisely -but it seems only to relate to programmes watched in real time. Just connecting a laptop to a television and watching iPlayer and 4OD the next day is not addressed

Domokun

Unfortunately,_the_law wrote:

A television receiver must not be installed

] This suggests you might be out of luck on this front, sinply having the TV in your home might mean you need one.

Halloway

You do not need a TV licence to own a TV. You need a TV licence if you watch broadcast TV irrespective of how you watch it. So you need a licence if you watch material you pick up using an aerial, satellite or cable as it is broadcast. (There is currently a debate as to whether you need a licence to watch the live BBC News 24 feed which is currently available from the BBC website.) You do not need a licence to watch video on demand material including iPlayer and 4OD and you can watch that on a TV without a licence so long as you get the signal via broadband. You certainly don't need a licence for radio!

As mentioned, you will have a hard time convincing the TV Licencing Authority, particulary if you have TV within cabling distance of an aerial or satellite feed. My advice would be to blank off any aerial sockets and remove any satellite cables. It does not matter if you have a TV receiver (it's fairly difficult to buy a TV which does not) just so long as there is no way to get a signal to it. Remember that the TVLA need a warrant to inspect your home so don't let them in unless they have one.

Oh and whilst I am at it, there is no such thing as a TV detector van. At least, not one that actually works.

littleowl

Halloway wrote: »

You do not need a TV licence to own a TV. You need a TV licence if you watch broadcast TV irrespective of how you watch it. So you need a licence if you watch material you pick up using an aerial, satellite or cable as it is broadcast. (There is currently a debate as to whether you need a licence to watch the live BBC News 24 feed which is currently available from the BBC website.) You do not need a licence to watch video on demand material including iPlayer and 4OD and you can watch that on a TV without a licence so long as you get the signal via broadband. You certainly don't need a licence for radio!

As mentioned, you will have a hard time convincing the TV Licencing Authority, particulary if you have TV within cabling distance of an aerial or satellite feed. My advice would be to blank off any aerial sockets and remove any satellite cables. It does not matter if you have a TV receiver (it's fairly difficult to buy a TV which does not) just so long as there is no way to get a signal to it. Remember that the TVLA need a warrant to inspect your home so don't let them in unless they have one.

Oh and whilst I am at it, there is no such thing as a TV detector van. At least, not one that actually works.

OK - so if I disconnect the Sky dish and connect only via broadband to watch programmes out of real time this might work.
I am quite happy to take on TV licensing if I feel sure of my ground.:o

weegie.geek

The onus is on them to prove you're watching TV illegaly, not for you to prove you're not.

Yes, it'd be less hassle in the long run, but if you're an obstinate !!!!! like me, leave the cables in place and wait for the bullies to turn up.

As Halloway's said, the ONLY time you need a license is if you're watching or recording LIVE TV as it's being broadcast. Watching via iplayer or 4od doesn't need a license.

Watching dvds or using the tv for consoles doesn't need a license.

Radios don't need licenses.

There's a lot of misunderstanding (and deliberate misinformation from the TVLA) about this stuff. It's treated as a license to own a TV (it's called the bloody TV license !!!!!!) but it's really not.

No need to detune your tv, no need to disconnect cables, nothing. Having the capability to watch live broadcasts isn't the same as actually doing it.

littleowl

weegie.geek wrote: »

The onus is on them to prove you're watching TV illegaly, not for you to prove you're not.

Yes, it'd be less hassle in the long run, but if you're an obstinate !!!!! like me, leave the cables in place and wait for the bullies to turn up.

As Halloway's said, the ONLY time you need a license is if you're watching or recording LIVE TV as it's being broadcast. Watching via iplayer or 4od doesn't need a license.

Watching dvds or using the tv for consoles doesn't need a license.

Radios don't need licenses.

There's a lot of misunderstanding (and deliberate misinformation from the TVLA) about this stuff. It's treated as a license to own a TV (it's called the bloody TV license !!!!!!) but it's really not.

No need to detune your tv, no need to disconnect cables, nothing. Having the capability to watch live broadcasts isn't the same as actually doing it.

Thank you, I note that with interest!;)