Just for Soviet defectors or can we all try this?

[WarBwastard]

Letter sent by the TV license people to Vladimir Bukovsky who refused to pay for his TV license on the grounds that he doesn't watch TV.


Reference:  COM/410383/jw

Date: 3 August

Dear Mr. Bukovsky

Re: Television Licensing Requirements

Thank you for your letter of 17 July the contents of which are  noted.

Whilst you are quite correct in pointing out that Section 363 of  the Communications Act 2003 "the Act" states that 'a television receiver  must not be installed or used unless the installation and use of the receiver is  authorised by a licence', this section must be read in conjunction with the  accompanying legislation.

In this regard it is important to note that Section 363 of the  Act states that a 'television receiver means any apparatus of a description  specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State'. The definition of  'television receiver' as set out in Regulation 9 of the Communications  Regulations 2004 (as amended) further defines a 'television receiver's as  'any apparatus installed or used for the purpose of receiving (whether by  means of wireless telegraphy or otherwise) any television programme service,  whether or not it is installed or used for another purpose'.

Therefore, a TV licence is only required where a television set  is installed or used for the purpose of receiving television programmes.

You have stated in your recent letter that you have not watched  television since 2001, accordingly your television set is 'not installed or  used for receiving television programme services' at this time.

Consequently, on the basis of the information that we have, our  view is that you are not at this time committing an offence contrary to Section  363 of the Act.

Yours sincerely

John Williams

Customer Relations Manager

[gatso]

errr, what, you've lost me. bloke doesn't watch tv so doesn't have to buy a tv licence. surely that's fair enough?

[boldie]

this has always been the rule, no?

[bolt pp]

this has always been the rule, no?

yes

[WarBwastard]

The law says if you own a TV you need a license, not whether you watch it or not.  Or at least that's what the TV adverts say.

[boldie]

The law says if you own a TV you need a license, not whether you watch it or not.  Or at least that's what the TV adverts say.

[ ] What the TV adverts say is always correct.

[gatso]

ads also tell me that washing machines last longer with calgon yet every washing machine I've ever seen break has been from a completely non limescale related problem

[MANTIS01]

So I've been wasting my bloody money on that Lynx bodywash trying to get bigger maracas then?

[G1BTW]

The law says if you own a TV you need a license, not whether you watch it or not.  Or at least that's what the TV adverts say.

[ ] What the TV adverts say is always correct.

+1

I've been eating Tampax for 2 years and I still can't swim or play tennis.

[boldie]

The law says if you own a TV you need a license, not whether you watch it or not.  Or at least that's what the TV adverts say.

[ ] What the TV adverts say is always correct.

+1

I've been eating Tampax for 2 years and I still can't swim or play tennis.

And "They're gonna taste GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREeeeeeat!??" My arse!

[WarBwastard]

But right, but but, I happened to open a letter for my neighbour from these TV dudes which stated in no uncertain terms he needed to get a TV license if he had a TV as no license was registered for his house.  Nothing about having one and watching it.  If you could own a TV and just claim you don't watch it when they come a snoopin' no one would pay for them.  Or does everyone not pay for them?

[bolt pp]

But right, but but, I happened to open a letter for my neighbour from these TV dudes which stated in no uncertain terms he needed to get a TV license if he had a TV as no license was registered for his house.  Nothing about having one and watching it.  If you could own a TV and just claim you don't watch it when they come a snoopin' no one would pay for them.  Or does everyone not pay for them?

they've got antenna's and lasers and satellites and shit that tells them if you're using one

[MANTIS01]

But right, but but, I happened to open a letter for my neighbour from these TV dudes which stated in no uncertain terms he needed to get a TV license if he had a TV as no license was registered for his house.  Nothing about having one and watching it.  If you could own a TV and just claim you don't watch it when they come a snoopin' no one would pay for them.  Or does everyone not pay for them?

they've got antenna's and lasers and satellites and shit that tells them if you're using one

Nah, they just put their hand next to the screen. If it's warm you get fined.

[WarBwastard]

But right, but but, I happened to open a letter for my neighbour from these TV dudes which stated in no uncertain terms he needed to get a TV license if he had a TV as no license was registered for his house.  Nothing about having one and watching it.  If you could own a TV and just claim you don't watch it when they come a snoopin' no one would pay for them.  Or does everyone not pay for them?

they've got antenna's and lasers and satellites and shit that tells them if you're using one

Nah, they just put their hand next to the screen. If it's warm you get fined.

Cunning bastards

[bolt pp]

But right, but but, I happened to open a letter for my neighbour from these TV dudes which stated in no uncertain terms he needed to get a TV license if he had a TV as no license was registered for his house.  Nothing about having one and watching it.  If you could own a TV and just claim you don't watch it when they come a snoopin' no one would pay for them.  Or does everyone not pay for them?

they've got antenna's and lasers and satellites and shit that tells them if you're using one

Nah, they just put their hand next to the screen. If it's warm you get fined.

i should probably take my microwave out of the living room then