New Irish Internet Tax?

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday May 6, 2009 @02:13PM from the new-pot-of-gold dept.

MarkDennehy writes "The Broadcasting Bill 2009 (currently in the last stages of becoming the Broadcasting Act 2009 and then being commenced into law in Ireland) has thrown up a rather unpleasant little nugget for broadband users in Ireland. It now defines a television set as being an electronic apparatus able to receive TV signals or 'any software or assembly comprising such apparatus' which would mean that even if you haven't got a television set, even if you don't watch streaming content from RTE.ie (the state broadcaster's website), you'd still have to pay 160 euro a year for a television license for your iPhone, or netbook, or laptop or desktop if you have fixed or mobile broadband."

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In Ireland, a piece of wire is a television by 2phar · 2009-05-06 14:56 · Score: 0, Flamebait

Even since the 1988 bill and earlier, a "television set" is defined as any apparatus for wireless telegraphy capable of receiving and exhibiting television programmes broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction therewith)...
Therefore, a piece of wire (antenna) is a "television set", even though it is dependent on adding various radio and display devices to it to function properly.