Breaking News re iPlayer

[sophie]

It has just been announced that TV viewers will definitely need a Licence to view iPlayer. As a result of shake up of the BBC.

[Keithcaley]

[Quote=""No one will be able to legally watch the BBC on iPlayer without buying a television licence, the Government has announced... [/quote]

So, we'll just carry on as we are, then!

They don't say that they are intending to implement technical measures to make it impossible to watch, they are saying that it will be illegal to watch without a license.

[erol]

So much 'fear mongering' going on here imo.

This was the release today of a white paper on the future of the BBC.

The actual white paper itself can be accessed here

http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy ... ed__1_.pdf

The section most relevant to access to BBC iplayer in the future is

In order to improve enforcement and allow BBC content to be ‘portable’ for UK licence fee payers (so they could gain access while on holiday in Europe, something which is currently not offered) the government thinks there is a case for iPlayer to require verification – i.e. access should be conditional upon verification of licence fee payment – so that individuals in other countries, and those in the UK not paying the fee, cannot access licence fee funded content for free. The government will discuss verification and other options with the BBC and look at the best way of implementing this, including through regulations if needed. It will be up to the BBC to determine whether this is an appropriate means of charging international viewers.

Nothing is decided yet. The changes could well be a great improvement for 'swallows' who visit the TRNC, allowing them full legal access to iPlayer content whilst in Cyprus (or elsewhere within the EU) without the need for VPN's or similar, as part of the value they get for having a UK TV license in the UK. For those resident outside of the UK it may lead to a proper subscription based service for access to BBC iPlayer, which I for one would welcome. However nothing is yet decided and the fundamental problems with a verification process tied to existing License fee remains. How many simultaneous people would be allowed to 'log in' using a given license fee payment for example ? How could the BBC ensure I do not use my mothers license fee payment information to log in to watch iPlayer content ?

Despite the efforts of some, imo, to try and create an impression that it has been decided that there will be a password based system tied to license fee payment in order to access BBC iPlayer in the future, the reality is this is still being discussed and considered and no such decision has yet been made.

It is probably worth pointing out, given some of the comments above, that it has always been a criminal offence to view BBC (and indeed any free to air UK) channels IN the UK without a TV license. It was an anomaly that this did not include 'catch up' content and this anomaly is being removed. The UK can not legislate that it is a criminal offence to watch UK free to air content OUTSIDE the UK without a UK TV license because they do not have the jurisdiction to do this.

[erol]

let people read it themselves---

I wholeheartedly agree people should read for themselves what the white paper itself actually says and what the Secretary of State for culture media and sport has said in parliament, rather than what some here have claimed is being said. The difference is clear to me. That was and is my point.

1.TRNC and MM are NOT IN THE EU/EEA and do no come under ´fortress europa´

The whole of Cyprus is in and part of the EU as far as the EU is concerned. The obligation that the RoC has to enact and enforce EU legislation in Cyprus is suspended in regards to the north of Cyprus as they do not have effective control of what happens there.

2.it has NEVER EVER

You have missed my point entirely. Legislation relating to UK TV license that makes not having one a criminal offence relates to those who are viewing TV within the UK. It does not relate to or cover those who watch TV outside of the UK. Thus the relevance of quoting sections of the Communications Act 2003 and bold and underlining terms 'criminal offence' on a forum relating to those who live in North Cyprus is questionable. When it comes from someone themselves selling a service that provides and regularly advertises access to blatantly pirated movies' of 'low quality' (read filmed in a cinema on a camcorder), then it is not just relevance that should be noted imo.

[erol]

so .... follow me now ....

Exactly the kind of hypothetical scenario, presented as 'information' that leads me to suggest people would be better informed reading what has actually been said and decided and not just rely on your partial fictions. As far as I am concerned your are in the business of spreading FUD.

[PoshinDevon]

Topic locked.

There is sufficient information and links to other websites for Kibkom members to do their own research.