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Dave Berkeley wrote: >>> What's this I heard recently that they're going to demand you pay a TV >>> license for a computer, as it is now possible to view TV Programmes (or >>> at least some content) as streaming media over the internet? >>> >>> Since it is a license to 'operate a colour television receiver' would >>> they have a leg to stand on? >>> >>> >> I think so yes, as in effect a tv card is a colour television >> reciever, while I am guessing this applies to desktops, what happens >> if you have a laptop and usb reciver, and watch tv in other locations >> >> What about just a USB receiver unit >> >> > > There was a private members bill to try and put a stop to the TV license > threats, a while back. I didn't hear any more about it, so I presume that it > fell. > > http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2617437.ece > > A TV card certainly needs a license, but what about IPTV? What about watching > YouTube? > > This from Liberty on access to your home: > > http://www.yourrights.org.uk/faqs/privacy/tv-licensing-entering-my-property.shtml > > The TVLA say that watching through streaming media is also covered. Old Reg > article: > > http://www.theregister.co.uk/2000/10/12/only_uk_viewers_have/ > > Since the RIP act 2000 requires your service provider to keep a copy of all > the sites you access on the internet, and every man and his dog in Gov can > gain access to it, it would not surprise me if they could say "aha, you were > streaming this video clip at xx:xx on yy/yy/yyyy, you're nicked mate". > > And the TV license does not just apply to watching the BBC. You can be fined > for watching any unlicensed TV set. There was a case of someone being fined > for watching an unlicensed TV set in a hotel room he was staying in. So, > would watching any streaming media be covered? > > It seems reasonable, to me, that you need a license if you are watching > off-air BBC, even if you are using your computer with a TV card. It does not > seem reasonable to require a TV license to view a random YouTube clip. > > Does anyone know where the law lies here? > > D > > The wording in the Wireless Telegraphy Act says you need a licence to "receive television broadcasts" A tv card in your PC which picks up tv from an aerial is receiving broadcasts Watching streaming media is not a broadcast as it is a point to point transmission of digital data -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html