Hello World...

[Simon Morgan]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: get_iplayer [mailto:get_iplayer-bounces at lists.infradead.org] On
> Behalf Of Nic Siddle
> Sent: 05 November 2014 20:07
> To: get_iplayer at lists.infradead.org
> Subject: Re: Hello World...
> 
> The rules as set out (however absurd) are quite clear - you need a TV
> license to watch programmes as they are being shown on TV but not if
> they are time shifted (e.g. in i-Player or with a tape recorder). That
> license also allows you to record said programmes by any means. You do
> not need a license for a TV or any other device if you never watch
> stuff a/s it is being shown/ on TV.
> 
> There is nothing in the rules (which clearly pre-date catch up
> services) about recording when something is not being shown on TV. But,
> what is not addressed at all is recording whilst programmes are not
> being shown.
> Such recording is therefore not in breach of TV licensing conditions
> per se. But such a lack of the breach does not necessarily cover
> copyright issues. In reality, it is unlikely that the BBC is going to
> come down on anyone simply using i-Player to time shift for their own
> personal use.
> But they would be well within their rights (and duty?) to pursue anyone
> using it for commercial purposes or even distribution amongst friends.
> 
> Use of i-Player is conditional on acceptance of their T&Cs. These state
> '1.1 "BBC iPlayer" is a BBC Online Service made available by the BBC to
> enable you to access, view and/or listen to BBC Content or, if your
> device permits, download BBC Content either using the BBC iPlayer
> Download Application or directly from bbc.co.uk/iplayer
> <http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/>.'. In other words, use of i-Player
> demands agreement to use their software and to their terms - which
> include the automatic expiry of content. Technically therefore, use of
> get i-Player is in breach of their terms.
> 
> Having panicked at the recent loss of get i-player and having been so
> relieved at its restoration (thanks DP and others), I for one would be
> reluctant to make too much of a public fuss. Essentially, get i-Player
> needs to stay sufficiently below the radar to be tolerated rather than
> starting a big public hoo-hah which might lead to a change in TV
> licence conditions.
> 
> Nic


I believe that a few years ago, the legality of the use of get_iplayer was
discussed at great length and a carefully considered opinion then was that
the use of get_iplayer did not breach the BBC's T&Cs. Please look back
through past posts as it was a serious, well considered discussion. Of
course the T&Cs may have changed since.

I am just a simple user of get_iplayer (Windows/PVR) and I ask the question
- does it actually use the BBC's iPlayer? I thought that it just used the
BBC's various data streams and sources. If this is the case, then the BBC
iPLayer T&Cs are not really relevant.

I hope this forum doesn't descend into a platform for people just to have a
rant against the BBC. Get_iplayer is a truly excellent resource and I hope
this forum can remain a place for people to discuss the technical issues.

Let's hope get_iplayer rules OK and thank dinkypumpkin and some others for
their efforts. Also let's not forget Phil Lewis who started the whole thing
off many years ago.

Regards
Simon Morgan