Re: TV licensing legality of a SlingBox ??

["Tim Hawes" <timsyahoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Kevin,

An interesting question - I wonder if the people behind Slingbox have
considered it?

Quoting from: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp
"If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV
programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a
broadcast card) - you need a TV Licence. You are required by law to
have one."

Now the TV used to watch the re-broadcast TV signal doesn't need to be
licensed if I read the above para correctly (unless it has a TV card,
but then it should be licensed anyway) as the license requirement is
for the Slingbox. If you *record* the re-broadcasted stream then I can
see things might get a bit trickier and you'd probably need to read
the relevant legislation.

HTH,

Tim.



On 6/15/06, Kevin Hawkins <lists@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> I was extolling the virtues of a SlingBox to somebody yesterday ( a JP
> who doesn't own a TV) as they would be interested in watching the
World
> Cup and they have a family who could provide the source.  They asked
me
> what the legality of such a solution would be with regard to TV
> licensing.  I believe the TV license is applied to the building (or
room
> in rented cases) that the viewer is located - or is it perhaps where
the
> TV receiver is ...  Now PC World didn't ask me my address when I
bought
> the SlingBox so I'm guessing they are not obliged to inform TV
Licensing
> - but that doesn't make sense either as it does contain a FreeView TV
> receiver.
>
> So what does anyone think of the legality of receiving a streamed TV
> program at an address that doesn't have a TV licence, if say it was
> streamed from home (or in this case their sons home) ?    I'm guessing
> it's not legal....and if so does that extend to not being legal to
watch
> a Slongbox that you own and located at your own home but viewed
> elsewhere.    Do you think this person could buy (own) the Slingbox
and
> place it elsewhere and watch it at home ?
>
>    K