Sweden: Connected device 'not a TV'

Successful challenge to law which came into effect in 2013.


The highest court in Sweden has ruled in favour of a man who claimed his computer was not subject to the annual television fee of just over 2,000 kronor.

The ruling finds that the computer, with an internet connection, should not be considered a television transmitting device.  Although the device could receive television signals, this was not its primary function, the court ruled.

The annual fee is used to part finance Swedish television and radio services.

Update: It was later reported that all 100,000 people who had paid the TV licence computer fee would be entitled to a refund. The process is expected to take several months.

Source: The Local