Why pay the license tax...

[expat]

One is required to have a Radio License in Germany, there is no reason why Britain should not have a similar requirement.

The proceeeds would naturally help fund the Eurasian War chest.

Freedom through Taxation

Britain did, in the past; from 1922 until 1971. During that time it was called a "Radio Licence", in accordance with British English usage.

[expat]

Farken rip off britain man! Most other civilised countries got rid of their tv taxes years ago!

Mailman

And their good TV programming with it?

[Lucifer Box]

a licence is needed for anything, not just a tv, that is able to receive/record tv programmes.

Spot on Pinto. You would need a TV license if you have, for example, a 3G phone with which you could watch TV...

TV Licensing, the outfit that collects the fee that funds the UK's BBC, is mulling plans that would force retailers to pass on details of people who buy mobile phones, The Times reports. As more and more video content becomes available on cellphones, it seems the body that administers the TV licence wants to make sure no tax dodgers slip through the net.

That's because if you watch live TV on a mobile phone, then you need to be covered by a valid licence. Since the vast majority of people are already covered by their existing licence, it's not an issue for most. But, there is a small proportion of people who aren't covered by a TV licence and officials are concerned they are viewing live TV on their mobiles, which is why it's considering plans to monitor mobile usage.

TV Licensing to keep tabs on mobile users

[Joe Black]

Britain did, in the past; from 1922 until 1971. During that time it was called a "Radio Licence", in accordance with British English usage.

Had an interesting discussion with some here a few months back about this. Apparantly until a few years ago Belgium used to have something similar which meant you had to pay the tax (sorry, license fee) even if all you had was a radio in your car...hmm, maybe I should edit that in case GB gets a few new ideas...

[xoggoth]

As it happens I am really pissed off by the TV licence thing. Just moved onto a flat I've rented during week and got letter from licencing authorities.

I don't mind a polite reminder about penalities for using a TV without a licence, but the letter they send is rude and threatening. Unless we hear from you by xxxx it will be reported to etc. If you say you never watch their frigging crap TV and haven't got one, that isn't good enough, they will send the boys round to check.

I ignored their crap. I am still waiting for the 4am knock. I will probably end up in Guantanamo Bay

I hate the bloody state. They need killing to the last man and to have their intestines boiled in nitric acid and injected into their eyeballs. They are scum.

[DodgyAgent]

I hate the bloody state. They need killing to the last man and to have their intestines boiled in nitric acid and injected into their eyeballs. They are scum.

Which is as good a reason as any to oppose the ban on foxhunting

[xoggoth]

I would totally support a blood sport of civil servant & politician hunting. The more blood the better.

[DodgyAgent]

I would totally support a blood sport of civil servant & politician hunting. The more blood the better.

Good answer Xog, you neatly sidestepped the pothole. Ever thought of playing rugby?

[VectraMan]

I would totally support a blood sport of civil servant & politician hunting. The more blood the better.

I agree, but we should only start on the civil servants and politicians when we've run out of recruitment agents.

[expat]

Had an interesting discussion with some here a few months back about this. Apparantly until a few years ago Belgium used to have something similar which meant you had to pay the tax (sorry, license fee) even if all you had was a radio in your car...hmm, maybe I should edit that in case GB gets a few new ideas...

Indeed, when there was a radio licence in the UK, you did need a separate one for your car radio. Don't think many people got one though.

Even worse in some places. In France at one time you needed a separate licence for a VCR. And there is support in part of the French government for a licence for a PC (whether or not you actually make use of it for audio-visual applications).