Applying for a search warrant... what do they need?

[classic33]

That's once more than I ever have. And ahhahaaha.

AFAIK they have no right of entry and as I posted earlier, what exactly would they be looking for if they did? If it turns out that "A tv, and a means of receiving live broadcast tv" is sufficient then it's more than I knew. I thought they had to A: prove you were actually watching live broadcast or B: hmm there is no B .

They just did an entire area, that was without electric at the time, so there was no way it could have been watched. The same answer from about a hundred houses, backed up by the power company, and they left.
Prove you were watching live TV on an unlicensed TV. That's your B.

 

[EnPassant]

They just did an entire area, that was without electric at the time, so there was no way it could have been watched. The same answer from about a hundred houses, backed up by the power company, and they left.

Bye then .

Prove you were watching live TV on an unlicensed TV. That's your B.

I'll go further. They cannot. Hence the bully tactics.

If I watched the bbc these days I'd pay, regardless of how the law stands or is enforceable, I am daft enough to be an honest person.
I don't watch because it's sh1te (in my view) and since I don't, I don't pay and thus I also object to their tactics as a matter of principle.

 

[Nibor]

I don;'t work for them anymore left over 6 years ago I will not take any offence at quips levelled at TVL. Fill your boots guys

 

[Spinney]

Well, if they find me at home, which is quite difficult as I work shifts, I will let them inspect again.
Surely, nowadays, a tv is not necessary?
You can practically watch everything you want on line.

You still need a licence for that, though.

 

[MontyVeda]

You still need a licence for that, though.

It depends whether its live or on-demand. The only on-demand services that a TV licence is required for are those via the BBC iPlayer

 

[MontyVeda]

It has. Under the Communications Act 2003 you require a license if you have in your possession and installed a device capable of receiving live broadcasts. So, for example, we had to have a license at work where we had TVs linked to a tribunal chamber feed. Even though they weren't used to watch live broadcasts, they were capable of being - therefore a license was required.

Contrary to the popular misconception that is perpetrated on many of the 'advice' websites, they do not have to prove that you are watching TV. They merely have to show that you have in your possession and installed equipment capable of enabling you to watch a live broadcast.

I'm certain i read on the TVL website that if a TV is used solely for DVDs and video games (not live broadcasts) a licence isn't required.

edit... plus, now we live in world where i could watch TV on my phone, there's no fecking way i'm gonna buy a TV licence for my phone.

 

[MontyVeda]

Does it still cover the use of radios?

Did it ever cover the use of radios?

 

[Spinney]

It depends whether its live or on-demand. The only on-demand services that a TV licence is required for are those via the BBC iPlayer

True.

The other thing I'd say to the people who moan about having to put a stamp on the envelope to return their little forms is.... why? Just put it in the post without a stamp. They then have the option of declining to take delivery of it (their problem), or paying £1 + postage (or what ever the 'admin fee' is these days) for the pleasure of being told you don't have a telly.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I'm certain i read on the TVL website that if a TV is used solely for DVDs and video games (not live broadcasts) a licence isn't required.

That's true, provided that it is not capable of receiving live broadcasts, e.g. it has no aerial connected (or cable or satellite).

GC

 

[MontyVeda]

True.

The other thing I'd say to the people who moan about having to put a stamp on the envelope to return their little forms is.... why? Just put it in the post without a stamp. They then have the option of declining to take delivery of it (their problem), or paying £1 + postage (or what ever the 'admin fee' is these days) for the pleasure of being told you don't have a telly.

the first letter they sent me had a pre-paid envelope.
One could also save the price of a stamp by doing it online

...or by ignoring the feckers.

Do they have to pay if i 'return to sender' all their correspondence?

 

[EnPassant]

It has. Under the Communications Act 2003 you require a license if you have in your possession and installed a device capable of receiving live broadcasts. So, for example, we had to have a license at work where we had TVs linked to a tribunal chamber feed. Even though they weren't used to watch live broadcasts, they were capable of being - therefore a license was required.

Contrary to the popular misconception that is perpetrated on many of the 'advice' websites, they do not have to prove that you are watching TV. They merely have to show that you have in your possession and installed equipment capable of enabling you to watch a live broadcast.

And a misconception I was guilty of until now .
I'm still confused though (nothing new there). You have "equipment capable of enabling you to watch a live broadcast" with an internet connection.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

And a misconception I was guilty of until now .
I'm still confused though (nothing new there). You have "equipment capable of enabling you to watch a live broadcast" with an internet connection.

Indeed.

Although the TV Licensing website states :

"You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel (including BBC), download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

This applies to any provider you use and any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder."​

it doesn't clarify if merely having a device such as a PC/tablet with an internet connection installed (as with a TV set) constitutes the need for a licence.


GC

 

[classic33]

To be honest? Exactly.

TLDR: I will stand corrected if my memory or interpretation is wrong, but they used to say "We can even detect which channel you are tuned to from the output of your television" Which I don't know the specifics of but is possibly true, IF you are tuned to an analogue transmitter and some radio frequency from your equipment is output in a range that equates to the input it receives from the local uhf transmitter (go back far enough and it's vhf transmitter).
Just how this is supposed to work when you are receiving your signal from a satellite dish, twisted copper pair or fibre connection I don't know. Maybe someone does.
Simply owning a "monitor" of some sort, since every smart phone is now capable of displaying a moving image is not a way of saying "you have a tv" for the purposes of licensing as far as I can see?

TV's have found another use for watching live pictures, CCTV.

 

[EnPassant]

Indeed.

Although the TV Licensing website states :

"You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel (including BBC), download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

This applies to any provider you use and any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder."​

it doesn't clarify if merely having a device such as a PC/tablet with an internet connection installed (as with a TV set) constitutes the need for a licence.


GC

The cynic in me wonders if this is left deliberately vague.

"any provider you use"? This would leave anyone owning a mobile phone or an internet connection open to a criminal prosecution on the basis that they could watch live broadcasts.
If this really is the case this almost flips the law on its head for me, you have to prove you were not breaking the law rather than them proving that you did? Innocent until proven guilty? Not here it seems.
Even if they don't prosecute where one only has a mobile phone with a data connection this would appear to be at their discretion. Not happy.

An aerial or satellite dish is perhaps more understandable, these have little other purpose (although one could be using them for radio only).

 

[MontyVeda]

And a misconception I was guilty of until now .
I'm still confused though (nothing new there). You have "equipment capable of enabling you to watch a live broadcast" with an internet connection.

The stuff TVL keep sending doesn't say anything about possessing equipment capable of blah blah, only using equipment to watch or record blah blah.

Reg's wording suggests i need a TV licence for my phone, PC and laptop. The 'official' blurb suggests i need a licence if I'm watching or recording via any device.