With the prospect of broadband TV becoming a reality the question is 'do I need a TV licence?'

The old Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949 has now been replaced by the Communications Act 2003, this makes it a criminal offence to install or use a television receiver for the purpose of receiving any television programme service without a valid TV licence.

According to the TV Licensing Authority, which is charged with collecting the licence, a television receiver includes a television set, a video cassette recorder, a set-top box, a TV-enabled personal computer or other equipment designed or modified to enable it to receive television programmes. A receiver is classed as “any apparatus installed or used for the purpose of receiving (whether by means of wireless telegraphy or otherwise) any television programme service, whether or not it is installed or used for any other purpose”.

So does a computer receiving a TV programme connected via the internet fit into this category? The question is not clear cut and there is a real possibility that it will be open to interpretation or challenge.

Ofcom has been quoted as saying that there is a grey area as to whether a licence is required for watching television on the internet. A spokesman said that it was “not an Ofcom issue” and referred the matter to the TV Licensing organisation. No one is seems what's to take responsibility in the short term, although once internet TV becomes more widespread BBC accountants my have a few words to say.