Hi I've received a court summons or having no tvlicence. I fell behind with my payments and got a visit from a TV licensing guy who askeme various questions I explained my reasons for falling behind was due to a change in my benefits and as I had not received any benefit for a while, I'd fallen behind. He wrote this down as my reason and just said for me to start paying it again once they were sorted. There was no mention of time limit. Therefore I was surprised to receve a court summons fr not having one. If I purchase one before the courtate do I stillhave to go?and will I still be fined?

First, any question on law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area.

For example, I have no clue what a tvlicense is. If you subscribe to cable TV, then you are paying for the privilege and, if you don't pay, you can be sued.

If I purchase one before the courtate do I stillhave to go?

Probably should, to be sure that the court is aware that you did so.

Like ScottGem, I would be interested to know what country it is which requires licenses to have television sets. Seems bizarre.

TV Licensing is a UK affair and once you have received a court summons you MUST attend.
And explain to the judge.

So what is being licensed? Your right to use a TV? Is it like a cable subscription in the US? Inquiring minds want to know ;)

So what is being licensed? Your right to use a TV? Is it like a cable subscription in the US? Inquiring minds want to know ;)

It's a UK thing - essentially a "users fee" that funds the BBC. It's a fee that every household that watches live TV is supposed to pay, at a rate of 145 GBP per year.

Spot on ebaines.
As well as BBC TV it also includes the whole BBC local and national radio network.
As well as an annual fee it is possible to pay for it monthly at no penalty.

Yes, this sounds odd to your guys, the equivalent would basically be a cable service as opposed to the free to air transmissions.
To confuse even more, we also have a premium cable and satellite TV service which is an extra monthly cost.

So its forced funding of public TV. Basically a tax. Not different from a tax to fund garbage pickup.

So its forced funding of public TV. Basically a tax. Not different from a tax to fund garbage pickup.

Correct, except not all househoods are charged - only those where live TV is watched. So how does the govenrnment police it? In the old days when TVs were big and clunky they had vans equipped with special sensing devices that would roam the streets searching for the tell-tale electromagnetic signature of a TV tube, and if they found it emanating from a home that had not paid the tax they would pounce. But nowadays with LED screens it's much harder to monitor for compliance, and with internet TV you don't even need a television set to watch TV.