Disabling television mode

[Colin Law]

On 12 July 2016 at 21:36,  <get_iplayer at i.lucanops.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 12 Jul 2016 20:38:02 +0100
> Colin Law <clanlaw at gmail.com> wrote:
>> A further interesting point, suppose I am running iplayer on my tablet
>> on a bus (I have a license so that is ok).  Is it illegal for someone
>> in the next seat to watch it on my tablet if they don't have a
>> license?
>>
>
> Is it illegal for a person with no licence to watch a TV from a public
> place if it just happens that a licensed TV is viewable from that
> place? Like outside the ground floor of a house with no front garden,
> from the pavement, and the windows are open.

I don't think that is illegal.  That is because it is the house that
is licensed not the person.  Anyone can watch a tv that is on those
premises.  However as from September the license on a house extends to
anyone living there watching online content wherever they are, but
presumably does not extend to someone living at non-licensed premises
watching online on the tablet of a licensed person.

Colin

>
> Unless on that bus you are publicly making a performance of it (eg
> overtly holding the tablet up for others), then the TV watching is
> sort-of private. What makes a phone or tablet screen showing TV any less
> private than if it was showing your email? Or a private video?
>
> I guess I have to conclude so what if someone can see a TV in public? At
> some point (ha!) it'll have to be acknowledged that technology is moving
> on, and attempts at control that parallel those of the past have to be
> given up on.
>
> Otherwise it would have to be no using iplayer on mobile, when mobile,
> in case an unlicensed person sees it. Or a phone owner can cover it with
> a public performance licence (the things shops have to have if they want
> to play the radio or music, and I think TV).
>
> IMHO the licensing has gone the wrong way. I think the transistor did
> in the radio-reception licence, the internet should have done in the
> TVL. No idea how to fund the BBC, but that is why I could never be a
> media lovie :)
>
> Nick
>
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