Re: [Sheflug] winduhs Only Distribution of BBC Media

[Chris Warburton <chriswarbo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Since a computer connected to the Internet, with graphics and
> sound capability and with suitable installed software (e.g.
> Real Player) is capable in the sense of para 1 (e.g. you can
> log into the BBC and view News At 10 live), such equipment
> puts you in the Must Have Licence category, whether you have
> a TV set or not. Try convincing the TV Licensing inspector
> that you never use your computer for such a purpose, when it
> is capable of it!

I know a while ago the BBC were thinking about charging computer users
either with a TV license, or with a sort of tax added to the computer's
cost, but this was dismissed after a lot of complaints. The main reason
it was dismissed was because there are some people now who claim they
shouldn't have to pay for a TV license because they only watch ITV,
Channel 4 and Channel 5, ie. using the other functionality of a TV. If
this was extended to computers then there are a million and one things
that a computer can be used for besides watching BBC broadcasts, in fact
most computer users DON'T watch BBC broadcasts using their computer,
whilst the vast majority of TV watchers do watch the BBC on their TV,
making it publicly accepted to make TV licenses depend on the TV, not
the use of the TV.


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