Germany licenses the Internet

mkpdavies · 23-10-2006, 03:47 PM

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35269

Quote:

THE GERMAN government has hit upon a wizard wheeze to milk the internet to pay for its "dull but precise" state-run television broadcasts.
According to Reuters, all 16 German states have voted in a new law that will require Internet users to pay a licence fee of €5.52(£3.70) a month for each computer and mobile phone that can connect to the internet.

At a meeting in the aptly named Bad Pyrmont, ministers decided that if you can see a television or radio program on the net, it should be eligible for the German TV and radio licence fee.

I smell testcase. Expect this to be rolled out across the EU at some point.

Westcountryman · 23-10-2006, 09:16 PM

It's already the case in the UK. In order to watch ANY streaming video on the Internet or your mobile phone, you must be in possession of a TV license.

John Carter · 23-10-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernTory

It's already the case in the UK. In order to watch ANY streaming video on the Internet or your mobile phone, you must be in possession of a TV license.

Are we sure about that? (seriously, I'm not aware). You need to pay the BBC in order to legally watch someone's home video posted to YouTube?

Westcountryman · 23-10-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carter

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernTory

It's already the case in the UK. In order to watch ANY streaming video on the Internet or your mobile phone, you must be in possession of a TV license.

Are we sure about that? (seriously, I'm not aware). You need to pay the BBC in order to legally watch someone's home video posted to YouTube?

Yes, apparently you do. I wasn't aware of it either, until they started advertising the regulations everywhere during the world cup. I'll see if I can find something in writing.

mkpdavies · 23-10-2006, 09:32 PM

News to me.

Westcountryman · 23-10-2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

News to me.

After checking, some clarification. You need it if you intend to watch TV broadcasts on any equipment, it doesn't say this have to come from the BBC or Britain, though.

Brandy · 24-10-2006, 04:29 AM

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/informa...ndex.jsp#link1

"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.!"

mkpdavies · 24-10-2006, 04:45 AM

"Broadcast card"

Now that needs definition. When the law was made, they meant analogue TV broadcast signal.

Digitial internet clips or even webcasts are not included in my book, until they specify that is now the case.

SGK · 25-10-2006, 01:39 PM

Some context here: both Britain and Germany have a TV licence system. Germany, using continental (EU) style socialist control and bureaucracy, administers it differently.
In Britain you require one licence per household, this then covers all viewing/listening by all members of that household.
In Germany you require one licence per household. Plus, there is a suplementary fee if you have a child who has a TV in his bedroom. Or a radio in his bedroom. If you live with someone but are not married to them, you pay a suplementary fee for the radio in your car, or in the joint car if it is registered in your name and the house is not. There are probably other suplements I don't know about.
So although a ruling such as this really won't make much difference if it is made in Britain, in Germany it will affect everyone with an internet connection. Imagine a family of four, with both kids with a computer in their bedroom connected over WLAN, each with a phone with internet capability, plus the parent's laptop, plus Dad's work laptop that he sometimes brings home, plus their two phones. Not even an unusual situation, but kerching, three hundred and sixty quid more annual tax from the family pocket. Disgusting.

mkpdavies · 25-10-2006, 01:53 PM

How the hell can they ever hope to police that.

23-10-2006, 09:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Westcountryman Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Westcountry. Posts: 5,922 Party: None	It's already the case in the UK. In order to watch ANY streaming video on the Internet or your mobile phone, you must be in possession of a TV license. __________________ Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

23-10-2006, 09:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	News to me. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

24-10-2006, 04:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	"Broadcast card" Now that needs definition. When the law was made, they meant analogue TV broadcast signal. Digitial internet clips or even webcasts are not included in my book, until they specify that is now the case. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

25-10-2006, 01:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	How the hell can they ever hope to police that. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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24-10-2006, 04:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
Brandy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 98	http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/informa...ndex.jsp#link1 "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.!"

25-10-2006, 01:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
SGK Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,237	Some context here: both Britain and Germany have a TV licence system. Germany, using continental (EU) style socialist control and bureaucracy, administers it differently. In Britain you require one licence per household, this then covers all viewing/listening by all members of that household. In Germany you require one licence per household. Plus, there is a suplementary fee if you have a child who has a TV in his bedroom. Or a radio in his bedroom. If you live with someone but are not married to them, you pay a suplementary fee for the radio in your car, or in the joint car if it is registered in your name and the house is not. There are probably other suplements I don't know about. So although a ruling such as this really won't make much difference if it is made in Britain, in Germany it will affect everyone with an internet connection. Imagine a family of four, with both kids with a computer in their bedroom connected over WLAN, each with a phone with internet capability, plus the parent's laptop, plus Dad's work laptop that he sometimes brings home, plus their two phones. Not even an unusual situation, but kerching, three hundred and sixty quid more annual tax from the family pocket. Disgusting.