TV Licencing. Any armchair lawyers out there?

[ianfirmin]

I had a visit from the TV licencing people today. I don't have a TV licence and they wanted to know WHY! I explained that I was a law abiding person and I disliked the tone of the letters I had received implying that, because I did not have a licence I was breaking the law. As far as I am concerned it's my responsibility to get a licence if I have a TV. It's THEIR responsibility to prove I'm breaking the law, not mine to prove I am not.

The guy wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box and stormed away from the front door say we "would be back with a warrant".

My primary questions are these. Does the issuing of a search warrant rely on "a reasonable suspicion that someone is breaking the law" and, if so, what is "reasonable suspicion" in this case?

Comments appreciated,
ATB
Ian

[Jay]

It'd be an interesting one but as its a civil matter then its on balance of probability, not beyond reasonable doubt so theoretically they 'could' get a warrant on the grounds that 99% of people own a television.

Do you still need a license for radio?

[G man]

In the olden days the detector van used to sit outside your house and listen to the noise out of the back of your big cathode ray telly.

How do they do that now with Plasma, TFT, Rear projector tellys.

I guess they could catch you by looking through the window or getting you to answer the door with the telly on in the evening.

If youve got a telly why not just get a licence?

[ianfirmin]

Who said I have a telly?

[G man]

I didnt say you had a telly, if you dont every thing will be a laugh.

But if you do and youve pissed the chap off im sure that he will make it his personal mission to catch you.

I would also guess that it would be easy to get info from sky to see who has a sky package, and catch up that way.

[ianfirmin]

T'would be a stupid person to make a stand like that and also be in breach of the law. I do not consider myself a stupid person....

[wilbo]

do you listen to the radio? if so you will at least need a licence that covers that.

I am not sure about consuming radio/TV over the internet..

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by wilbo

do you listen to the radio? if so you will at least need a licence that covers that.

I am not sure about consuming radio/TV over the internet..

you still need a licence for TV over t'internet.

oh and if you have a Black and white telly but you have a video recorder you still have to pay the colour fee as you are capable of receiving a colour signal. lunacy but that the british legal system

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by wilbo

do you listen to the radio? if so you will at least need a licence that covers that.

I am not sure about consuming radio/TV over the internet..

If you can get an incoming TV signal, by satellite or cable, including the interweb, you need a license.

[ianfirmin]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

If you can get an incoming TV signal, by satellite or cable, including the interweb, you need a license.

I have an internet connection. Does that mean I need a TV licence?