Are FTV Cards legal?

Chillwithcian

Are FTV Cards for recieving CH4/5/etc... legal to use in your sky digital box in the Republic of Ireland?

Ulsterman 1690

Its a grey area really

There is nothing in either criminal law or EU law to stop one taking an FTV card out of the UK but the person who originally purchaces the Freesat card off $ky is not supposed to allow the card to be used outside the UK* under the terms of the contract they enter into with B$kyB when they buy the card.

So technically they could be in breach of contract although this would be a civil rather than a criminal offence (assuming that it is an offence at all since the treaty of Rome is supposed to provide for free movement of goods and services across the EU)

If the card is being used for commercial use (e.g. in a hotel or pub) there could also be copyright issues involved

But all this is theoretical since none of this has ever been tested in the courts

In practice its hardly something to lie awake worrying about

ADDS: Oddly the small print accompanying some old BBC FTV cards only forbade their use outside the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and Republic of Ireland.

Incidently can anyone explain why FTV cards are available to Channel Island residents but not Gibralter residents ?

DMC

Good summary, Ulsterman.

Ulsterman 1690 wrote:

Incidently can anyone explain why FTV cards are available to Channel Island residents but not Gibralter residents ?

By virture of broadcasting acts made in Westminster being extended to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Its down to the location of those islands so close to the UK.

watty

Also the contract only applies in UK and thus does not apply if you leave UK.

The card including Irish sub cards etc belongs to Sky/NDS.

So Sky can't supply them out side of UK.
You can't legally offer them for sale.

But where you use it is not limited by even civil law.


All the Gibralter residents that want one, have one, but a lot of bitterness about not being able to order direct. They are now part of Essex or someplace for EU votes.

Ulsterman 1690

Also the contract only applies in UK and thus does not apply if you leave UK.

Ah so if I take my FTV card down South Im only in breach of contract for the split second my car is halfway over the bridge at Strabane (or wherever)

The card including Irish sub cards etc belongs to Sky/NDS

In theory I suppose the could claim you were guilty of theift although It would be a hard one for even Mr Murdochs lawyers to argue in court

watty

As long as you give it back when they ask