PC licence.. sshh.

[*kelderpaw*]

When i got a C.B. - needed a licence, TV, need a licence, radio when it first came out, cars of course, boats, even fishing rods, dogs also used to need a licence.. did govt. miss out on a little earner? is it coming? or can't they?

[darth vader]

IMHO (because there's no definitive answer) they can't because it would be impossible to define a computer - where do you start/stop? certainly a licence for a PC, but also for a microcomputer? for a games console? a tv? (they have internet/interactivity these days) a calculator? a watch? etc... all these are computer devices, so i don't think they would be able to legislate for these reasons. Also the government are pro "emerging technology" and are unlikely to inhibit the growth of Information Technology in the UK by slapping a licence on it.

[NickleArse]

I think Microsoft have cornered the market in charging extortionate amounts for licenses! And if they started charging a license fee for the internet does that mean we could get rid of pop-ups and banners and such like?

[geofbob]

Contrary to what you might believe, the Government generally has a logical reason for charging people for using something - usually to help pay for a public service (eg the BBC, roads, waterways etc). With PCs, there is no relevant public service, therefore no charge. Moreover, the Government wants to encourage people to become computer-literate, and a licence would be counter productive. (This last point also applies to bicycles, which otherwise might be a prime target for licencing.)