Reply to: TV License People

[blacjac]

They are wrong. Utterly, utterly wrong.

A PC with a TV Tuner card, whether used or not, DOES require a TV licence. It is capable of receiving TV transmissions so it is a telly.

An IBM Series Z mainframe used to watch a live TV transmission on the web through a web browser DOES require a TV licence.

Otherwise, computers are not tellies.

A basic mobile phone that can be upgraded is a programmable digital device that can follow a stored series of instructions and so is a computer. So by their logic, it would need a TV licence as would my Ministry of Sound DAB Radio that receives transmitted software upgrades.

Are they TV licence people or burglars?

Report them to the Police; at the minimum they are harassing you.

Portable devices don't need a licence, as long as the owners main residence has a licence.
Unless they have changes the rules since I was at Uni.


Edit:

But that would probably not stop these cretins

[xoggoth]

Insanity: repeating the same actions, but expecting different results.

Like looking at a certain blog and thinking it might have something other than how to code in Google android you mean?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Total strangers bossing you around; it really gets up my nose.

Amen to that - and it's the British disease!!

[RichardCranium]

Nope, they definitely said you need a TV licence for any computer, whether it can be used to watch TV or not, working or not.

They are wrong. Utterly, utterly wrong.

A PC with a TV Tuner card, whether used or not, DOES require a TV licence. It is capable of receiving TV transmissions so it is a telly.

An IBM Series Z mainframe used to watch a live TV transmission on the web through a web browser DOES require a TV licence.

Otherwise, computers are not tellies.

A basic mobile phone that can be upgraded is a programmable digital device that can follow a stored series of instructions and so is a computer. So by their logic, it would need a TV licence as would my Ministry of Sound DAB Radio that receives transmitted software upgrades.

Are they TV licence people or burglars?

Report them to the Police; at the minimum they are harassing you.

[Sysman]

Nope, they definitely said you need a TV licence for any computer, whether it can be used to watch TV or not, working or not. When I mentioned the SGI monitor's base units were elsewhere they pointed out a box with a BBC model B as being a base unit.

The Muppets appear to think that all computers run Windies.

It is, I have to admit, one of the reasons I can't stand being in this blessed country for anything more than a few days: petty officials spouting utter crap, everywhere.

Total strangers bossing you around; it really gets up my nose.

[threaded]

You only need a TV Licence for a computer if you use it to watch television output online which is being broadcast simultaneously via the airwaves.

So YouTube is OK, but watching Eurovision is not.

Nope, they definitely said you need a TV licence for any computer, whether it can be used to watch TV or not, working or not. When I mentioned the SGI monitor's base units were elsewhere they pointed out a box with a BBC model B as being a base unit.

It is, I have to admit, one of the reasons I can't stand being in this blessed country for anything more than a few days: petty officials spouting utter crap, everywhere.

[RichardCranium]

Interestingly, or not. During the exchange they said that you have to have a TV licence for a computer.

You only need a TV Licence for a computer if you use it to watch television output online which is being broadcast simultaneously via the airwaves.

So YouTube is OK, but watching Eurovision is not.

[threaded]

Quote it to them:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20040692.htm

Interestingly, or not. During the exchange they said that you have to have a TV licence for a computer.

I pointed out these were just a pair of broken monitors and the base units were in another place, and that does have a TV licence.

[PinkPoshRat]

I have just bought a replacement satnav and it has built in freeview (which actually works well!!) and I don't have a licence

[Incognito]

Quote it to them:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20040692.htm

Meaning of "television set"
11. - (1) In Part 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967, "television set" means any apparatus which (either alone or in association with other apparatus) is capable of receiving (whether by means of wireless telegraphy or otherwise) any television programme service but is not computer apparatus.

(2) In this regulation, "computer apparatus" means apparatus which -

(a) is designed or adapted to be used (either alone or in association with other apparatus) for storing or processing data, but not for doing so in connection with the reception by means of wireless telegraphy of television programme services; and

(b) is not offered for sale or letting as apparatus for use (either alone or in association with other apparatus) primarily for or in connection with the reception (whether by means of wireless telegraphy or otherwise) of such services;

and "processing" includes displaying.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

What's a TV license ?

It's another of those laws you think don't apply to you.

[ASB]

They don't have a right of entry. Tell them to fsk off to the magistrates and get a warrant.

[Sysman]

From the comments to BBC chiefs accuse minister Ben Bradshaw of 'personal attacks, re the BBC licence:

the fact they constantly hound you for it and don't give you the option of saying "no i don't own a TV" is blatant extortion.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

it's LICENCE

[expat]

I've just been clearing out one of the homes I don't use anymore, ready to rent it out.

And a someone claiming to be a TV license body is at the front door going on about how I need a TV license for a couple of old Silicon Graphics monitors stood in the hallway.

If I weren't already so bemused about how fscked up the UK has become I might have bothered arguing intelligently with them. As it was I just called my mate MadDog (who's helping out) to look nasty at them, and them soon buggered off.

The monitors are on the drive now, just inside the gate. MadDog tells me I'm not allowed to just put them on the kerb. I'll get a fine. Jebus wept.

Somebody might hurt themselves on them.