TV Licensing (rant alert)

[Balky001]

yep, Beeb should be funded and those techy IT people shouldn't get away with not paying for it

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Yes.I don't know about watching on the internet,but I agree very much with your comments about the tone of their adverts threatening those who don't have a license.Exactly the same can be said of the DVLA with their "our computer knows everything" vehicle licenseing ads.They seem to be proud of the fact that Orwell's 1984 is rapidly becoming reality here.I find this trait thoroughly undesirable and far more worrying than the "big stories" that our media decide are important for us to read about.

I agree - In my view these particular adverts are akin to bullying - by portraying these issues in such a dark and disturbing manner, Im sure it must provoke anxiety in some over-consciencious law abiding folk - who do have all their relevant licences - the opposite type of person from those who couldnt give two hoots and drive off after theyve just knocked someone off their motorcycle who probably dont bother with car tax, and TV licences who obviously wouldnt be bothered by these adverts anyway - and they are the ones the adverts are supposed to be targetting !

Ok has anyone read that article properly? :P

The bit where it says it only applies to LIVE broadcasts? If you watch archived material its not necessary to have a licence. So bit torrents would mean no licence though you may be in a copyright issue there.

I can understand what the BBC and TVLA are saying. By streaming the "live" broadcast through its networks a firm are continuing that "broadcast" to each PC.

The Licensing Law says you need a licence if you have equipment to receive a signal. It covers "any device" so if you have a tv card in your pc, you need a licence.

However, Id like them to specify where in the law it distinguishes from live and not-live broadcasts via a medium you're still not receiving a tv signal tbh. I suspect this is a distinguishing feature the BBC/TVLA are trying to enforce without it backed up by law. If the law does not make this distinction, then they can not enforce it.

Pah trust Lyn to bring a bit of reason where it's least wanted! :P

I'm with you on this one, in fact I asked a similar question a few days ago.

As I understand it the licence is for a RF broadcast receiver which can be a TV, VCR or even a PC with a TV card but I don't see how watching a broadband video stream over the net can possibly contravene licensing regs. When is a broadcast not a broadcast?

I think it is just a cynical ploy to raise money, anyone know if such a case has ever gone to court?

[Red ones]

What is "Live?"

Big Brother "Live" is actually about 15 minutes old. Is this live?

Originally Posted by Nick762

I think it is just a cynical ploy to raise money, anyone know if such a case has ever gone to court?

No, but I dont intend it to be me as the test case either.

Originally Posted by Red ones

What is "Live?"

Big Brother "Live" is actually about 15 minutes old. Is this live?

I was gonna say 42 but that was "the meaning of life" wasnt it?

[BillyC]

Originally Posted by mumstoy

I was gonna say 42 but that was "the meaning of life" wasnt it?

... and the Universe... and EVERYTHING!

Originally Posted by BillyC

... and the Universe... and EVERYTHING!

so 42 would be right...