TV licence warning for online World Cup fans

Businesses could face stiff penalties if they are caught allowing staff to watch World Cup matches broadcast over the internet at work without a TV licence.

The World Cup kicks off this week with the BBC showing all its games from Germany on TV as well as live on the internet - and desktop viewing is likely to prove popular with many office workers who would otherwise miss the afternoon games.

Whether you work in an office, a building site, a hotel or anywhere else, there's really no excuse for breaking the law.

The TV Licensing authority said it will be targeting traditional licence fee dodgers who watch the matches on TV during the World Cup but warned that the law also covers online broadcasting.

That means businesses which provide TVs in the office for staff to watch matches and allow their workers to follow the goals at their desks through the Beeb's online broadcasts could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 if they don't have a TV licence.

A TV Licensing spokeswoman told silicon.com: "Businesses still need a TV licence for watching matches on a PC. Whether you work in an office, a building site, a hotel or anywhere else, there's really no excuse for breaking the law."

Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses also urged companies to take note of the warning and check they are correctly licensed.

Only one TV licence is required to cover all the TV equipment a business uses on a single site. A regular household TV licence will also cover PC broadcasts at home.