TV Licence - ALL TV licence discussion/queries in this thread.

kneemos · 22-09-2013 11:36pm

Un-Big wrote: »

But then technically couldn't you modify a PC monitor and put a receiver in? They don't count as TV Sets.

If it has a receiver it's a TV.

mathepac · 22-09-2013 11:39pm

Not another one of these nonsensical threads - there are already several hundred of them here already.

Howard Juneau · 22-09-2013 11:41pm

If you have an aerial in the house, a socket on the wall, you're liable for the licence. Doesn't have to even be a tv in the house

The Cush · 23-09-2013 12:01am

Howard Juneau wrote: »

Doesn't have to even be a tv in the house

Currently not correct.

"Every household, business or institution in Ireland with a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means) must have a television licence." - http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

From 1st Jan 2015 it is expected that the Public Service Broadcasting Charge will replace the TV Licence and all households will be required to pay it whether or not you have a TV or similar piece of receiving equipment.

Howard Juneau · 23-09-2013 12:15am

The Cush wrote: »

Currently not correct.

"Every household, business or institution in Ireland with a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means) must have a television licence." - http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

From 1st Jan 2015 it is expected that the Public Service Broadcasting Charge will replace the TV Licence and all households will be required to pay it whether or not you have a TV or similar piece of receiving equipment.

Currently correct I'm afraid, has been since 2009. If you have an aerial in your home, you need a licence. The tv is irrelevant.
The new law just widens the net to all other devices

The Cush · 23-09-2013 7:10am

Howard Juneau wrote: »

Currently correct I'm afraid, has been since 2009. If you have an aerial in your home, you need a licence. The tv is irrelevant.

Not correct, who told you that?

The relevant section of the Broadcating Act 2009

142.—(1) Subject to the exceptions mentioned in subsection (3), a
person shall not keep or have in his or her possession anywhere in
the territory of the State a television set save in so far as such keeping
or possession is authorised by a television licence for the time being
in force.

Howard Juneau · 23-09-2013 7:59am

The Cush wrote: »

Not correct, who told you that?

The relevant section of the Broadcating Act 2009

It's even mentioned in the original quotation you posted.

kneemos · 23-09-2013 8:15am

Howard Juneau wrote: »

It's even mentioned in the original quotation you posted.

The receiver seems to be the important part of the act.The cable...etc is just it's means of reception.

Mountjoy Mugger · 23-09-2013 9:27am

Howard Juneau wrote: »

If you have an aerial in the house, a socket on the wall, you're liable for the licence. Doesn't have to even be a tv in the house

So, if I have a coat hanger I'm liable?

icdg · 23-09-2013 11:00am

Merged

Fred Swanson · 23-09-2013 11:04am

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shruikan2553 · 23-09-2013 11:19am

Heres a quick set of questions to decide if you need to licence:

Do you own a TV (ability to actually watch something on it doesnt matter)?
Do you have a TV receiver in your PC or laptop so you can connect the aerial to them?

If you answered yes to any of these then you are meant to have a licence, if you said no then you do not.

Fred Swanson · 23-09-2013 11:23am

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icdg · 23-09-2013 4:06pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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We might refrain from making accusations of this order without being able to cite some proof please

It is the definition of what is a TV that needs to be properly tested in a real court not some district court in some 2 bit backwater in Cork.

We might also refrain from insulting entire counties, this isn't After Hours.

Mike 1972 · 14-10-2013 10:07pm

Un-Big wrote: »

In the Broadcasting act, a television set is described as follows:

"“television set” means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving
and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general
reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on
the use of anything else in conjunction with it) and any software or
assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus;"

A "broken"/modified etc TV set does not fulfil the definition above so the suggestion that such a set currently requires a licence is nonsensical.

As is the notion that an aerial/dish (without TV) etc requires a licence.

An analouge TV (no Saorview) does require a licence though the set is still capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services the fact that such services no longer exist is besides the point.

Elmo · 14-10-2013 11:27pm

Mike 1972 wrote: »

As is the notion that an aerial/dish (without TV) etc requires a licence.

I don't think you need a licence for an aerial/dish. But you do for the apparatus that can connect to an aerial/dish such as a TV set, VCR, DVD-RECORDER, PVR, STB etc etc. which then provide general reception.

Sam Russell · 16-10-2013 2:13pm

Mike 1972 wrote: »

A "broken"/modified etc TV set does not fulfil the definition above so the suggestion that such a set currently requires a licence is nonsensical.

The broken set can repaired and so does require a licence. This has been covered many times before.

Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 2:19pm

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Johnboy1951 · 16-10-2013 2:21pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

The broken set can repaired and so does require a licence. This has been covered many times before.

A monitor could have a tuner fitted.

Yes it has been covered many times, but there is no definitive legal decision on the subject that I am aware of.

IIRC, there was doubt whether the requirement is 'capable of' or 'designed to' receive ...... if it is truly 'capable of' then a broken set *might* not require a licence.

I do not know definitively ...... nor have I seen anything that clarifies the situation.

In any case it is likely this point will be moot shortly, as there will be a 'household' charge in place of a licence, if plans I have read about are put into place.

Sam Russell · 16-10-2013 3:22pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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You take it to the dump for recycling.

Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 3:26pm

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snaps · 16-10-2013 3:33pm

Elmo wrote: »

I don't think you need a licence for an aerial/dish. But you do for the apparatus that can connect to an aerial/dish such as a TV set, VCR, DVD-RECORDER, PVR, STB etc etc. which then provide general reception.

I got caught for a satellite dish which was at back of my house low on ground. I got a letter stating an inspector had seen this and I needed a license for it. I swiftly wrote back asking why the inspector let himself around the back through a gate on my land (dish can only be seen from back and there was no way it could have been seen from a public right of way). I threatened tresspass and got let off. This was 5 years back in Galway.

Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 3:36pm

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snaps · 16-10-2013 3:39pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

The dish alone would not be enough to secure a conviction.

I could be using a dish to listen to radio stations. Last time I checked you don't need a licence to listen to music.

I think any apparatus that can be used to recieve rte is deemed viable.

zg3409 · 16-10-2013 3:46pm

I think the inspector use any excuse they can think of, to scare you into getting a licence. Many people are afraid to take the risk of going to court. If the inspector says "I saw a TV through the curtains" and you say "no you could not have" it's your word vs theirs. In that case the judge will decide.

Same with a dish, they could say they also saw a TV etc.

Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 3:53pm

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Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 3:54pm

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Elmo · 16-10-2013 5:33pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Does it say television set or apparatus capable of receiving a television signal?

We do not have Radio licence. Radio is not an apparatus that receives a TV signal.

Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 5:33pm

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Rubberchikken · 16-10-2013 5:36pm

thought this new broadcasting licence would cover radio also. open to correction.

Elmo · 16-10-2013 5:37pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Broadcasting Act 2009 says

“television set” means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving
and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general
reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on
the use of anything else in conjunction with it) and any software or
assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus;

Elmo · 16-10-2013 5:39pm

Rubberchikken wrote: »

thought this new broadcasting licence would cover radio also. open to correction.

The TV Licence doesn't just cover TV or Broadcasting or RTÉ. The New Broadcasting Levy is badly named IMO.

Mike 1972 · 16-10-2013 11:18pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

The broken set can repaired and so does require a licence. This has been covered many times before.

The owner of a broken TV set CAN have it repaired or CAN go out and buy a new one. Either way until they do they DONT have electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services and therefore dont need a TV licence.

Fred Swanson · 16-10-2013 11:20pm

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Mike 1972 · 17-10-2013 10:14am

zg3409 wrote: »

Evidence they could use

1) Saw a glow in the window, it was a TV

Then it's your word vs theirs. .

I was enriching th'aul uranium in my living room judge !

Elmo · 17-10-2013 10:22am

Lava lamp, electric fake fire !

Fred Swanson · 17-10-2013 3:26pm

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Sam Russell · 17-10-2013 4:34pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Which is why they are going to a 'broadcasting levy' on all houses, with or without a TV.

Fred Swanson · 17-10-2013 4:37pm

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Mike 1972 · 17-10-2013 5:16pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

But won't someone please think of poor old Columbo with nothing to do.

Might have to get a real job ?

Lokhart · 19-10-2013 5:29pm

Hello,

I recently moved to Ireland (about 6 months) and just received an An Post notice in the mail (to the occupier) telling me to pay for the TV licence.

Now, I don't have a TV (24'' PC monitor + PC without any form of decoder, and a PS3 also hooked to the monitor), from what I can understand from the FAQs and the law itself I should not pay the licence.

Since I've got the notice today (or at least I noticed it in the mail today) I could not call them, so I've sent them an email on the address specified on the letter telling them that I do not own a TV and that they can come and inspect when they want.

Do you know if I should still call them or that would be enought to be legally on the safe side?

Thanks in advance.

Fred Swanson · 19-10-2013 5:44pm

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Lokhart · 19-10-2013 6:06pm

Well, to be honest the letter does say to contact them if I do not own a tv set...

Fred Swanson · 19-10-2013 6:09pm

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Mike 1972 · 20-10-2013 12:21am

Lokhart wrote: »

I recently moved to Ireland (about 6 months) and just received an An Post notice in the mail (to the occupier) telling me to pay for the TV licence..

If I post out invoices to people who don't actually owe me any money can I not be convicted of attempted fraud ?

Lokhart · 20-10-2013 10:32am

Well to be honest the notice did not say to pay,
it actually said, if you own a tv, there is no licence paid for this apt, so please contact us and pay for it. If you don't have a tv please contact us and tell so.

In any case it is quite annoying but I don't think they are breaking any law. It was just a reminder.

cerastes · 21-10-2013 1:54pm

Elmo wrote: »

Lava lamp, electric fake fire !

There are those tv light simulators that are for security purposes or someone could be playing a computer game?

YourNameForMe wrote: »

I'm not sure you can do anything. However, when the 10 months are up make sure there is no receiving equipment (e.g an antenna or satellite dish) in/on your house or else you'll still have to pay. I got caught for that, I was going to get rid of my TV when the license guy came a knocking but he said I'd still have to pay even if I got rid of the TV because there is an antenna on the apartment where I live.

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Aerials don't come into it;)

It's being ignored but I've highlighted twice already what the law states.

If you don't have a TV, then you don't have a equipment capable of exhibiting pictures. Simple.

I started reading this thread, got to page 20, I have to jumpt to the end and ask my question,
situation: I currently have a licence and I have sky at the moment and want to cancel when its up anyway. I might get freesat, but Im thinking of getting rid of the tv.

Q. I know this has probably been mentioned, but Ive seen a few posts which suggest some quoted, even having a dish or the sky box/decoder (in that case this might even include the LNB?) could mean you have to get/have the licence, is this accurate or not? or a way to intimidate/trick/scam people into getting a licence they dont require to have?

Or is it adequete to just not have the tv? sky leave the box and the dish, its a bit inconvenient to take it down or slightly less hassle to remove the LNB.

Mike 1972 · 21-10-2013 2:37pm

An aerial/dish on its own doesnt require a licence (although there have reportedly been instances of licence inspectors claiming otherwise)

A reciever (sky box) does require a licence unless one can prove its only used for radio maybe ?

LNB's ( the bit that sits on the edge of a dish) are a bit of a grey area. As indeed are masthead amps.

radiowaves · 21-10-2013 3:12pm

Mike 1972 wrote: »

A reciever (sky box) does require a licence unless one can prove its only used for radio maybe ?.

Anything that's capable of receiving transmissions requires a licence - no matter what it might be used for.

Indeed, anyone who had a VCR recorder feeding a B/W tv in the old days required a colour licence.

It's nit what the apparatus might be used for - it is what it is capable of doing.

Johnboy1951 · 21-10-2013 4:22pm

radiowaves wrote: »

Anything that's capable of receiving transmissions requires a licence - no matter what it might be used for.

Indeed, anyone who had a VCR recorder feeding a B/W tv in the old days required a colour licence.

It's nit what the apparatus might be used for - it is what it is capable of doing.

Not quite, according to my reading of the rules ..... it must also be capable of 'exhibiting' the received signal.

If there is no display in place then that would not be possible ...... and yes I am aware there are very few premises without some sort of display device.

any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it)

So an STB, hooked up to a dish or aerial, and feeding only a sound system, with no display device on the premises, should not require a licence.

TV Licence - ALL TV licence discussion/queries in this thread.

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