Does one need a TV licence for portables?

Rizza · 14-06-2006, 5:29 PM

We've been watching the world cup on our PC's at work using a USB freeview reciever and the question's come up if indeed it's legal without a Tv licence, does anyone know?

I'm also curious to know if it's a requirement for car's with builtin TV's and very small portable LCD TV's.

Rizza

Deepthought · 14-06-2006, 5:45 PM

Indeed, you need a TV license to cover any device that is capable of letting you watch telly. Interestingly, if you are watching the World Cup at work, it is your employer is responsible for having the TV licence.

Karma · 14-06-2006, 5:47 PM

Yes. You need a licence.

If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) at your business address - you need a TV Licence. This includes any equipment used for Ceefax or Teletext.

Portable tvs such as those powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV do not.

However, if you plug the pocket tv into the mains for charging and then watch TV while it is connected to the mains, you will require a licence for the premesis you are watching at.

However, it gets more complicated than that, by the use of "we've been watching" infers there are a group of you watching, this is classed as entertainment in the workplace. This covers music, boadcast by either TV, radio, CD, etc. Fot that your firm will need a PRS licence. Depending on the size of the firm / amount of time the entertainment is provided costs between £200 and £700 per year.

K

johndon · 14-06-2006, 8:27 PM

You even need a TV Licence if you are watching the live stream of the match on the BBCs website

John

Rizza · 15-06-2006, 1:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karma

Portable tvs such as those powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV do not.

However, if you plug the pocket tv into the mains for charging and then watch TV while it is connected to the mains, you will require a licence for the premesis you are watching at.

However, it gets more complicated than that, by the use of "we've been watching" infers there are a group of you watching, this is classed as entertainment in the workplace. This covers music, boadcast by either TV, radio, CD, etc. Fot that your firm will need a PRS licence. Depending on the size of the firm / amount of time the entertainment is provided costs between £200 and £700 per year.

K

There's a TV in the rest room provided by the employer, so I'll guess there's a PRS licence 4 that, will that cover our USB freeview receivers?

I'll probabbly give the TV licence office a ring tomorrow to confirm our position but it seems a bit unfair.

Rizza

Karma · 15-06-2006, 10:57 AM

If there is a TV in the rest room, then the your employer will PROBABLY already have a licence, and if memory serves me correctly this can cover up to 25 tvs. After that an addition licence is needed for every five additional sets.

Also, if that is the case, i'm sure they have looked into PRS. The Performing Rights Society are an organisation who are not into prosecuting and fining. If they find out that a premesis needs PRS licence they advise that business of the requirements and give them time to organise it. All rather civilised really.

K

jenic · 15-06-2006, 11:02 AM

In theory you could take a laptop and run it off the battery and it is covered by your home licence.

Rizza · 15-06-2006, 2:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karma

Yes. You need a licence.

If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) at your business address - you need a TV Licence. This includes any equipment used for Ceefax or Teletext.

Portable tvs such as those powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV do not.

However, if you plug the pocket tv into the mains for charging and then watch TV while it is connected to the mains, you will require a licence for the premesis you are watching at.

However, it gets more complicated than that, by the use of "we've been watching" infers there are a group of you watching, this is classed as entertainment in the workplace. This covers music, boadcast by either TV, radio, CD, etc. Fot that your firm will need a PRS licence. Depending on the size of the firm / amount of time the entertainment is provided costs between £200 and £700 per year.

K

I called them today to clarify and most of what you say is correct but your mobile device running on batteries is only covered if you have a licence at your residence, if not you'll need to take one out for it.

They say our office only needs the standard licence, I think the PRS licence is a seperate thing, but why not offer a temporary licence to cover special events etc??

Too late for today's game though, I'll still have to watch at work.

Rizza

Knyght_byte · 17-06-2006, 5:46 PM

you didnt need a licence to watch TV if it was a black and white set in the past....has that changed at all recently?

Rizza · 17-06-2006, 8:50 PM

You need a licence for black and white TV's, but it's cheaper.

Rizza

Alexes · 21-06-2006, 6:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knyght_byte

you didnt need a licence to watch TV if it was a black and white set in the past....has that changed at all recently?

In the past you required a black and white license for a B&W set. Not sure if they are still available and you must have a colour one. The license actually covers the receiver, so if you had a B&W set but a video (which would have a colour receiver) you would require a colour license.