Heated TV Licensing Goon Encounter

A video recently appeared on YouTube showing an angry confrontation between a TV Licensing goon and the occupier of the legally-licence-free property he had just visited.

The goon knocked at the occupier's front door, but walked away before the occupier had a chance to answer. The occupier looked from his window and saw the goon getting back into his car. The occupier decided to approach the goon parked outside to establish his identity. To cut a long story short, despite TV Licensing paperwork being visible on the passenger seat, the goon refused to confirm his identity and the exchange between the pair became heated.

In all honesty, as the passage of time suggests, we would not be writing about this incident had it not been for the follow-up actions of TV Licensing. This whole episode is a bit confrontational for our liking.

Shortly after the goon's visit the occupier phoned TV Licensing to complain about his aggressive behaviour and failure to identify himself. The occupier explained that he had filmed the encounter and uploaded it to YouTube for closer public scrutiny. 

At this stage the occupier still had no confirmation that the anonymous caller had been from TV Licensing, but subsequent events would confirm that was the case. A couple of hours later the occupier received a call from someone purporting to be Mark at TV Licensing. Mark, one of TV Licensing's resident experts on all things legal, incorrectly told the occupier that displaying the goon's image (shown above) and car details (white Ford Fiesta, 5-door hatchback, reg EA56 YBW) on YouTube was in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Having evidently consulted the "Crapita Guide to Imaginary Law", Mark also claimed that filming the goon was in breach of the Representation of the People Act 2000, which actually governs the conduct of elections. Mark's natural ability to spout bullshit had, in our mind, clearly reinforced his status as a TV Licensing admin bitch. The occupier, however, was becoming suspicious of Mark's ludicrous comments and beginning to suspect the call was a wind-up. The occupier made a further phone call to TV Licensing, which confirmed that Mark's call had been genuine.

Had it not been for TV Licensing arrogant attempts to censor perfectly legitimate YouTube footage we would not be writing this now. TV Licensing routinely tries to censor critical footage on YouTube. Anyone would think they are ashamed of their goons' behaviour and would prefer it kept hidden.

If a TV Licensing goon calls at your property remember these important facts:

• A TV licence is only required for those properties where equipment is used to receive TV programme services (e.g. programmes broadcast on normal TV channels, which are available to other people at the same time). 
• Anyone who does not require a TV licence is under no legal obligation to co-operate with TV Licensing. We recommend they ignore TV Licensing completely.
• TV Licensing goons have no automatic right of entry and must leave immediately if the occupier tells them to. If they become aggressive or refuse to leave then call the police.
• TV Licensing rules require goons to show ID at the start of every visit and on request.
• It is perfectly legal to film TV Licensing goons that visit your property. The goon does not need to consent to being filmed. The goon can't legally prevent the occupier from filming. Experience shows that TV Licensing goons often tell lies, whereas the camera generally doesn't. 
• TV Licensing goons are commission-driven salespeople, which often skews their interpretation of the law. In reality they have no more legal rights than any other visitor to your property.
• It is perfectly legal to film TV Licensing goons in a public place.
• It is perfectly legal to upload video footage of TV Licensing goons to the web.

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