TV Licence Super Thread

Neil79 · 15 Dec 2016 at 11:54

Burnsy2023 said:
This would be the first time I have heard that they've done this for iPlayer.

Only on OCUK

Vanquish-Storm · 15 Dec 2016 at 11:55

Is it enforceable? How does it even work now?

I have a TV Licence in my name for our house, if my missus goes to her friends who does not have a licence and watches iPlayer how do they work out who is watching it?

If I go to my friends who does not have a licence can I watch it there with him in the room?!

azibux1 · 15 Dec 2016 at 11:56

Not a made up scenario

But I have just seen the letter and it does seem like one of the more general ones. Not an actual fine yet. "Warning, this unlicensed business address is being investigated." Addressed to the proprietor (not by name). Goes on to say that it is a criminal offence IF staff are watching live TV, iPlayer, etc etc.

Says options are to buy a license. Or inform them if nobody is using those services and they may investigate by a visit. "could risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1000" depending on the results of what they find on a random visit they may do as the property is under investigation.

I'm fairly sure this is the one people normally just ignore.

tom_e · 15 Dec 2016 at 11:57

azibux1 said:
Not a made up scenario

But I have just seen the letter and it does seem like one of the more general ones. Not an actual fine yet. "Warning, this unlicensed business address is being investigated." Addressed to the proprietor (not by name). Goes on to say that it is a criminal offence IF staff are watching live TV, iPlayer, etc etc.

Says options are to buy a license. Or inform them if nobody is using those services and they may investigate by a visit. "could risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1000" depending on the results of what they find on a random visit they may do as the property is under investigation.

I'm fairly sure this is the one people normally just ignore.

That's just one of the usual bullying letters, bin it move on.

glenimp617 · 15 Dec 2016 at 11:58

I don't believe anyone can enter your premises without a warranty (which is obtained through the courts). Might be interesting to ask them to provide the initial evidence which prompted the letter.

Glaucus · 15 Dec 2016 at 11:59

Vanquish-Storm said:
Is it enforceable? How does it even work now?

I have a TV Licence in my name for our house, if my missus goes to her friends who does not have a licence and watches iPlayer how do they work out who is watching it?

If I go to my friends who does not have a licence can I watch it there with him in the room?!

you are covered by your license in both scenarios as long as you do it on a device which is not plunged into power. if the device is plugged in then you are not covered and the house you are watching it in requires the license.. It may sound odd, but this is how mobile devices are covered.

its not really enforceable. however many people don't realise their rights, let the inspectrs in the house, tehy get the evidence then you are stuffed.

azibux1 said:
Not a made up scenario

But I have just seen the letter and it does seem like one of the more general ones. Not an actual fine yet. "Warning, this unlicensed business address is being investigated." Addressed to the proprietor (not by name). Goes on to say that it is a criminal offence IF staff are watching live TV, iPlayer, etc etc.

Says options are to buy a license. Or inform them if nobody is using those services and they may investigate by a visit. "could risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1000" depending on the results of what they find on a random visit they may do as the property is under investigation.

I'm fairly sure this is the one people normally just ignore.

in that case that is nothing bin it, and tell them never to let an inspector in the house, even if they turn up with police. Unless they have an actual warrant, which they will never get.

tom_e · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:01

glen8 said:
I don't believe anyone can enter your premises without a warranty (which is obtained through the courts). Might be interesting to ask them to provide the initial evidence which prompted the letter.

They won't have any, it's just one of the mailshots that go out when they realise people haven't got a licence and you're correct the inspectors have no right of entry without a warrant and to get the warrant they'd need enough evidence to convince a court to issue one.
They'll even stand on your doorstep and try the whole "You're being cautioned and anything you may say may be taken in evidence" speech just to get you to let them in.

Avenged7Fold · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:02

I dislike the self entitled attitude of people when it comes to TV license. You think the system and rules are unfair, well thats how it is and if you dont like it, dont watch it or risk getting caught (though pretty sure this scenario is just hypothetical and born from OP paranoia).

Want to watch someones content? Then pay for it.

Also IANAL < IANAS the OCuk version

Vanquish-Storm said:
Is it enforceable? How does it even work now?

I have a TV Licence in my name for our house, if my missus goes to her friends who does not have a licence and watches iPlayer how do they work out who is watching it?

If I go to my friends who does not have a licence can I watch it there with him in the room?!

While i dont believe they do check if you are accessing iplayer, they wouldn't be able to tell you whether its your wife or your friend. TV licenses have always been sort of enforced by making people paranoid and going door to door on people they suspect, not that they can come in without your permission anyway.

neil_g · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:04

glen8 said:
I don't believe anyone can enter your premises without a warranty

what if my warranty has expired and I didnt take out the extension?

Psypher5 · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:04

iplayer usually requires internet, which information will be passed through from your isp.

by jove they have finally worked out how to monitor (some) "tv watching" usage.

terley · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:05

For those who think they don't have evidence..

They use bandwidth scanners on your house, they can see if it matches the output from the Iplayer service..

They gain solid undeniable evidence.

Just tell him to pay it.

Avenged7Fold · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:08

neil_g said:
what if my warranty has expired and I didnt take out the extension?

Then its not my problem as IANAS

Tuppy_Glossop · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:08

Bandwidth scanners... lolcano

tom_e · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:08

terley said:
For those who think they don't have evidence..

They use bandwidth scanners on your house, they can see if it matches the output from the Iplayer service..

They gain solid undeniable evidence.

Just tell him to pay it.

Do they? Source?

I'm not arguing they could go down the IP matching route but I have no idea what you're talking about.

Also IP records aren't infallible as if I pop round my mates and use their WiFi to play iPlayer through my phone then even if they don't have a licence I'm covered as I do and it's battery powered.

Neil79 · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:09

Just say you were disgusted at this letter and in further research to find out why this has happened, you came to the conclusion your wifi was set to open which means other people had access to it. You have now set the wifi to private and this wont happen again?

Tuppy_Glossop said:
Bandwidth scanners... lolcano

That made me chuckle too

NexusK · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:09

terley said:
For those who think they don't have evidence..

They use bandwidth scanners on your house, they can see if it matches the output from the Iplayer service..

They gain solid undeniable evidence.

Just tell him to pay it.

Redgie · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:10

terley said:
For those who think they don't have evidence..

They use bandwidth scanners on your house, they can see if it matches the output from the Iplayer service..

They gain solid undeniable evidence.

Just tell him to pay it.

Bandwidth scanners? Please tell me that was a joke?

If they were going to properly investigate it, they'd just ask your ISP for details on traffic between you and the iPlayer website. Job done.

Avenged7Fold · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:12

Bandwidth scanners lulz. I hope that is a troll post as this is a tech forum.

I mean seriously, what would even be the point of a 'bandwidth scanner' when there is far easier ways to determine if the house is watching iplayer.

Haggisman · 15 Dec 2016 at 12:13

Glaucus said:
you are covered by your license in both scenarios as long as you do it on a device which is not plunged into power. if the device is plugged in then you are not covered and the house you are watching it in requires the license.. It may sound odd, but this is how mobile devices are covered.

What if you are watching it on a TV which is plugged in, but actually streaming iPlayer from your phone via mhl? Since your phone is the device actually receiving the "live TV" and it's a portable device, then surely you'd be ok?

How about a PC with a phone tethered via WiFi?

What if the device is running off a UPS? Is it ok if it's a UPS charged from a licenced premises?

Think I need to drop an email to TVL and get some answers!!