BBC TV, Licence Fee and Downloads

[levemircento]

here we are then, I may be very wide of the mark here but read my thoughts and discuss

if a programme is shown on the BBC, as a licence fee payer do I have any rights to download the programme off the internet? even if the programme later comes out on dvd?

I might be a bit wet behind the ears on this, but I think I do have a right.


[awaits public flogging]

 

[Eklipze3k]

As with any other television channel, you have the right to access their programming through any of that channel's designated means. So yes, you can download the program from iPlayer but you will be limited as to how long you'll be able to watch it for via their terms of service. Any other method not supplied directly by the broadcaster is to be considered copyright infringement.

 

[CLXCraig]

if you download via iplayer or 40d or whatever, you usualy get 30 days then it will not work. if you by some means manage to get the media from iplayer once downloaded and onto your hard drive and then copy it to disc, your breaking the law

 

[Focus Owner]

also you dont need to pay a licence

 

[Thomas_Si]

also you dont need to pay a licence

How does that work?

 

[Kier]

also you dont need to pay a licence

To have a TV you do.

Whats the difference between, downloading a TV show you missed...and setting up Sky Plus or something.

 

[jnoiles]

Whats the difference between, downloading a TV show you missed...and setting up Sky Plus or something.

One is legal. One isn't unless you do it via a TV channels approved software.

 

[Focus Owner]

you dont need a licence for Iplayer

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

you dont need a licence for Iplayer

:yeahthat:

Or to watch TV using a TV card in a laptop that is running on batterys and not at that moment in time supported by a mains power source

Plug laptop charger in, and then it becomes illegal.

 

[Kier]

One is legal. One isn't unless you do it via a TV channels approved software.

Why is one legal and not the other? Whats to stop me recording something for a free...burning it to DVD and giving it to them...rather than uploading it, and letting them download it?

 

[johnw]

Or to watch TV using a TV card in a laptop that is running on batterys and not at that moment in time supported by a mains power source

Plug laptop charger in, and then it becomes illegal.

we get quite a few people in court who believe that, unfortunately for them it isn't true.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/

 

[Captain Mike]

TBH there are no set laws on illegal downloads at the moment.

It's fairly new so they haven't worked out the loop holes yet

I've been sent about 5 fines now for "illegal downloads"

 

[Eklipze3k]

I've been sent about 5 fines now for "illegal downloads"

Then you're doing it wrong, 10 years I've been in that scene and never even been warned by my ISP, let alone anyone else

 

[Captain Mike]

Then you're doing it wrong, 10 years I've been in that scene and never even been warned by my ISP, let alone anyone else

I like them though.

They get sent out on some crappy bit of plain paper in a normal envelope so as far as I know I haven't received any

Plus each time they send one out the fine gets lower how does that work There was a thing about them on BBC news the other day.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

we get quite a few people in court who believe that, unfortunately for them it isn't true.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/

Ah, but there is a fair bit of info from the tv lecensing agency that is very contradicting.

I've had it checked and it is supposidly correct due to the relation to use of handheld battery TV recievers

 

[Eklipze3k]

Ah, but there is a fair bit of info from the tv lecensing agency that is very contradicting.

I've had it checked and it is supposidly correct due to the relation to use of handheld battery TV recievers

I call your attention to (from the website johnw linked to):

Just as with any other device, if you’re watching programmes as they’re broadcast on a phone or other mobile device, you need to be covered by a licence. However, if you are covered by a valid licence at the address where you live, you will be licensed to use any device powered solely by its own internal batteries outside the home too.

Edit: However, that website does bring up one point in relation to the OP. To download/stream any TV show post-broadcast you do not require a TV license.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I call your attention to (from the website johnw linked to):

Just as with any other device, if you’re watching programmes as they’re broadcast on a phone or other mobile device, you need to be covered by a licence. However, if you are covered by a valid licence at the address where you live, you will be licensed to use any device powered solely by its own internal batteries outside the home too.

Edit: However, that website does bring up one point in relation to the OP. To download/stream any TV show post-broadcast you do not require a TV license.

Ok. Fair enough, I stand corrected, although it wasn't like that when I checked 4 years ago.

 

[Ninja59]

the piece about internal batteries is true,but there must still be a license somewhere for example at uni if i used my laptop on its own battery it would be covered by the license of my parents home....(in the end you still need a license as such) but it is away of not having one in student digs

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

the piece about internal batteries is true,but there must still be a license somewhere for example at uni if i used my laptop on its own battery it would be covered by the license of my parents home....(in the end you still need a license as such) but it is away of not having one in student digs

At uni, or another address when at uni you'll need your own lisence, can't class your parents one as covering you.