It is a grey area is TV licensing , google has some interesting arguments for and against.
"The law as it stands allows TV Licence inspectors to take you to court if they discover you watching your TV without a licence - even if you agree to pay on the spot.
Last year a staggering 165,000 people were brought before the bench, and 140-odd thousand were given a criminal record for not having their fee.
It means Licence Fee evasion is the most prosecuted of all 'crimes' in England and Wales, with all the costs in court time that uses up."
Read more: http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2B9