TV detector vans and laptops

[V8mate]

www.tvcatchup.com

Barely seconds behind live TV.

[911motorsport]

TV Licensing enforces the BBC's statutory obligation to ensure that every address where a television licence is required is correctly licensed,[47] but its agents have no special rights and, like any other member of the public, rely on an implied right of access to reach the front door.[13][58] The occupants of a visited property may deny an agent entry to the premises[60] without cause and are under no obligation to answer any questions or enter into any conversation. If an agent has evidence that television is being watched or recorded illegally but is denied entry by the occupants so that (s)he cannot verify the suspicion without trespassing, then TV Licensing may apply to a magistrate for a search warrant, but the use of such warrants is rare.[49] The BBC states that a search warrant would never be applied for solely on the basis of non-cooperation with TV Licensing[58][61] and that in the event of being denied access to unlicensed property will use detection equipment rather than a search warrant.[60]



from here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_...

[rpguk]

Legally you might need one (although the rules on portable equipment might work in your favour as above)

In reality if they knock on your door tell them to ps off. They have no legal powers. Evidence from their 'detector vans' wouldn't stand up in court and AFAIK only work on CRT sets.

[Neil H]

How are you watching it? TV Tuner or via the web?

If you bought a TV tuner and had it delivered to the office, they could have got the address from that. However, the worst they can do is keep sending you letters pretending someone will visit you, break your legs and give you a £1000 fine. You can just refuse to let them into your premises.

If via the web I'd say unlikely/ impossible for them to detect.

[zac510]

They might try and pull a trick to get you to open the door like claim there is a package being delivered. This is clearly a ruse because everybody knows delivery companies only deliver while you are at work.

[Torquey]

If you are watching through an internet connection (Iplayer/tvcatchup) I wouldnt worry.
I'd worry less watching it through a network connection than i would through a TV ariael and even then I wouldnt give a f**k

Ignore it.

[simonrockman]

There was a Radio 4 programme on detector vans. They built one or two that worked to show the press, but most of the vans drove around scaring people and didn't have any kit inside.

You can 'detect' what people are watching on a CRT with Tempest but an LCD or plasma display doesn't kick out enough of a signal to be detected - beyond the light you use to watch it on.

All the licence stuff is database mining and I understand they are going to switch from asking you to get a licence to asking you to prove you don't have a television.

Simon

[ShadownINja]

TEKNOPUG said:

ShadownINja said:

TEKNOPUG said:

I also believe (although could be wrong) that a TV licence is only required for "live" broadcasts, so even watching I-player on your laptop shouldn't require one.

Pretty much. According to the website and the helpful woman on the phone, I only need a licence if I am watching or capable of watching live broadcasts. So, if I watch live football on my computers or iplayer's live facility, then I need a licence. If I sit in a pub with a German T-shirt on, then I don't need a licence but probably need weaponry.

Just watch via a P2P site - it'll be delayed by 5mins and therefore not "live"

You'll be acting as my barrister in court, right?

[Famous Graham]

TEKNOPUG said:

Famous Graham said:

allegro said:

Can they detect you watching the tv on your laptop?

A few work pals and i had got a little room in work all set up for the world cup including wall chart, fridge full of ale, wide screen tv and armchairs.

This morning i received a generic letter addressed to "the occupier" from the tv license bods asking if i would need a license for the premises.

My first thoughts were to dismiss it but could do without the hefty fine so thought of using my laptop but unsure as to how the detection gear works.

Whats the general consensus?

Thanks in advance

Did you buy the TV for the purpose and get it delivered to your office? That'll be where they got the info.

OP bought a laptop, not a TV

allegro said:

A few work pals and i had got a little room in work all set up for the world cup including wall chart, fridge full of ale, wide screen tv and armchairs.

The implication being that the laptop is connected to the telly.

[TEKNOPUG]

ShadownINja said:

TEKNOPUG said:

ShadownINja said:

TEKNOPUG said:

I also believe (although could be wrong) that a TV licence is only required for "live" broadcasts, so even watching I-player on your laptop shouldn't require one.

Pretty much. According to the website and the helpful woman on the phone, I only need a licence if I am watching or capable of watching live broadcasts. So, if I watch live football on my computers or iplayer's live facility, then I need a licence. If I sit in a pub with a German T-shirt on, then I don't need a licence but probably need weaponry.

Just watch via a P2P site - it'll be delayed by 5mins and therefore not "live"

You'll be acting as my barrister in court, right?

Sure - shall we discuss my fee now or would you like to pay via a retainer?

[Jayzee]

dibbers006 said:

allegro said:

escargot said:

Detector vans don't exist.

I have seem them! Escort van sized things with a white satelite type dish on the roof.

The VAN in Detector Van exists.

The DETECTOR does not.

HTH

But they are watching you...

^^^^^ This!

It's all a load of old cobblers.

[allegro]

Just to clarify i brought in an old tv from home but have a laptop i use in work which connects to a router that at least 30 other people use. The internet connection is not in my name

[Famous Graham]

I guess they're doing a drive on unlicensed work premises then, given the World Cup, just on the off-chance.

[TEKNOPUG]

allegro said:

Just to clarify i brought in an old tv from home but have a laptop i use in work which connects to a router that at least 30 other people use. The internet connection is not in my name

That doesn't clarify anything!

So you do indeed have a TV on the premises and intend to watch the football on it?

[allegro]

TEKNOPUG said:

allegro said:

Just to clarify i brought in an old tv from home but have a laptop i use in work which connects to a router that at least 30 other people use. The internet connection is not in my name

That doesn't clarify anything!

So you do indeed have a TV on the premises and intend to watch the football on it?

What i meant to say was i have both options available to me. The tv isn't new and is a crt.

[GregE240]

zac510 said:

Wow, how did they know you were 'the occupier' ? Their power and much touted database must know no bounds

This really ticks me off about them. I bought a tv last year, but the address I gave ommitted my house name. Stupid basterds couldn't put 2 and 2 together and work out we actually had a licence.

Nothing addressed to me or my missus, just "The Occupier", all sorts of threats, you're up for a big fine, we'll come round and prove you don't have a licence, all thinly veiled threat stuff.

I was prepared to see it through but my missus told me to ring or email them. I emailed my licence and told them to eff off. Got an email saying they acknowledged I had a licence, no apology. Tossers.

[LRdriver II]

So now you are guilty of showing in a public setting?

..this is bad.. verybad..

[trooperiziz]

ShadownINja said:

Pretty much. According to the website and the helpful woman on the phone, I only need a licence if I am watching

True.

ShadownINja said:

or capable of watching live broadcasts.

Lie.

Don't make the mistake of believing the TV licensing employees, they either don't know the law themselves, or are actively told to lie about it.

[TEKNOPUG]

allegro said:

TEKNOPUG said:

allegro said:

Just to clarify i brought in an old tv from home but have a laptop i use in work which connects to a router that at least 30 other people use. The internet connection is not in my name

That doesn't clarify anything!

So you do indeed have a TV on the premises and intend to watch the football on it?

What i meant to say was i have both options available to me. The tv isn't new and is a crt.

If the TV has a tv tuner (and is not just a monitor on the wall for power point presentation etc) then yes, you should have a TV licence.

[speedchick]

GregE240 said:

zac510 said:

Wow, how did they know you were 'the occupier' ? Their power and much touted database must know no bounds

This really ticks me off about them. I bought a tv last year, but the address I gave ommitted my house name. Stupid basterds couldn't put 2 and 2 together and work out we actually had a licence.

Nothing addressed to me or my missus, just "The Occupier", all sorts of threats, you're up for a big fine, we'll come round and prove you don't have a licence, all thinly veiled threat stuff.

I was prepared to see it through but my missus told me to ring or email them. I emailed my licence and told them to eff off. Got an email saying they acknowledged I had a licence, no apology. Tossers.

We had something similar, my mum bought my daughter a portable TV and had to give name address etc, so as the tv was coming here, she naturally gave mine, then along comes the letter, addressed to me personally reminding me that I needed a licence, I ignored it, and had my tv licence near the front door, waiting for the inevitable knock on the door.

Which happened, I let him go through all his spiel, and then produced a plastic wallet, full of licences going back the previous 10 years and informed him that the database he relies on to find unlicenced premises was wrong, as there had as long as I lived there, been a licence, and more than that, in my name!

Muppets, they couldn't run a bath!