Search warrant for tv licence

[dub_nerd]

The law refers to 'an apparatus capable of receiving a television signal'. I worked in An POst, and a colleague of mine who did exactly what you are proposing was prosecuted.

Was it prior to 2009?

Broadcasting Act 2009, Part 9, section 140 "definitions" -

“television set” means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception...

Part 1, section 2 "definitions" -

“broadcasting service” means a service which comprises a compilation of programme material of any description and which is transmitted, relayed or distributed by means of an electronic communications network, directly or indirectly for simultaneous or near-simultaneous reception by the general public, whether that material is actually received or not, and where the programmes are provided in a pre-scheduled and linear order, but does not include:

(a) a service provided in a non-linear manner where each user of the service chooses a programme from a catalogue of programmes, or

(b) other audio and audiovisual services provided by way of the Internet;


(emphases mine)

 

[Kev]

Leper; I was taken to court in Cobh for having my TV set behind the wardrobe, I was also told to taken down my aerial by the postmaster

What if the person was living in flats with the one aerial for that block does it mean that all the residents will be affected if the aerial has to taken down. Also what about other equipment such a video players and blue ray, say if a person wanted to view personal recording such as weddings on a discs or video.

What a draconian law to say the least, it is not the TV has to go but it renders all other equipment useless as well.

People now use their iPhone to view TV anywhere now where there is a free digital signal connection.

 

[dub_nerd]

You don't need a license for an aerial, dish, rabbit ears, coat hanger etc.
You don't need a license for watching downloaded TV programs, or programs over the internet, as long as you don't watch it on a television (i.e. a device capable of receiving and showing live broadcasts).

 

[Time]

That sums it up nicely.

 

[Eogon1]

I don't have a TV,got a letter the other day saying a inspector seen one on my premises.really had enough of the threats I'm thinking of going to court to get it resolved.

 

[Leper]

I don't have a TV,got a letter the other day saying a inspector seen one on my premises.really had enough of the threats I'm thinking of going to court to get it resolved.

Hi Eogon1, If what you are saying is correct, you have nothing to fear. For the record a TV Licence Inspector must interview you before any prosecution can take place. The Inspector must also see the television set.

In the unlikely case that you are prosecuted you will be put on the stand and you will be asked to swear that the evidence you will give will be the truth. In all my years prosecuting people I have never seen anyone prosecuted who did not have a television set.

Let's say that the TV Licence Inspector gives evidence that he saw a tv set where there was none; roll up your sleeves, you're in line for a defamation claim and will laugh all the way to the bank.

 

[inaquandert]

but you can watch live tv on a laptop - I thought you had to have a tv licence if you had a laptop in the house???? even if you had no tv set

 

[44brendan]

I thought you had to have a tv licence if you had a laptop in the house???? even if you had no tv set

Nope!!

 

[thedaddyman]

Nope!!

Not 100%correct, from the TV Licence FAQ's

Do I require a TV Licence for a computer which can access television-like services (e.g. the RTÉ Player or streaming services) over the Internet?

A. No. So long as the computer is unable to display television channels distributed by conventional television broadcasting networks (i.e cable, satillite, IPTV, analogue terrestrial, digital terrestrial or MMDS) e.g. using a television tuner card or similar device, then there is no requirement to hold a Television Licence.

 

[AlbacoreA]

...My plan here in Ireland is to watch my chosen programs on a high quality computer monitor via a media player. Programs are downloaded from Irish and UK broadcasters' "players" using various entirely legal techniques. Oh, and they're advertising free, even the Irish ones. I won't miss live TV at all.

Out of curiosity do you have a better means of watching RTE player streams without using their truly abysmal website & apps?
Any sort of hiccup and it repeats the lengthy ads over and over. Unusable. On some apps I think it skips the ads?

 

[Leo]

Out of curiosity do you have a better means of watching RTE player streams without using their truly abysmal website & apps?

Not legally, so not to be discussed here.

 

[Marigold77]

I had a very nasty card left by An Post once as I have a digiweb broadband satellite dish and apparently someone reported it as a TV dish. I educated them by email. Then I reminded them that as I am on benefits etc they have always given me a TV licence although I have no TV and never will have. Then I demanded the name of the " informer" and it all stopped... I am amazed they ever get organised enough to prosecute anyone as they got my address wrong.