The RAI tv attempts to put a tax on computers, cell phones and tablets

As we gradually move out of the deep winter and the freezing cold weather that February managed to drop in our laps there was one story during that month that almost went under the radar but it was such a bizarre event that it need having some light shone it once again.

It concerns a letter from the RAI  the state television service which arrived at the office of the Giornale di Barga demanding euro 400 for the the right to watch television on the office computers. (article here) The same letter was sent to many businesses in Tuscany.

The wording was also particularly strange as what it amounted to was any device in your office or business which could go onto the Internet and watch television would have to pay a license fee so this could include computers, iPhones, iPads or any device which could go onto the Internet.

So basically what was happening was the national television company which is 90% owned by the state was attempting to raise a tax on computer use. Euro 200 for each computer on line – the office had two computers, therefore, Euro 400 to pay annually.

Straight away a couple of questions come to mind: number one, why would anybody think if you’re working in an office you would want to watch RAI  television?

Number two:  to what database do they have access to actually find out how many computers you have in your office ? The word “privacy” is bounced around in Italy so often these days without a clear idea of just what the concept means.

An article was written on the front page of giornaledibarganews and some comments were put onto other sites.  These comments were picked up by our local Parliamentary Senator and he actually asked a question in parliament the same day quoting the giornaledibarganews article.

From then on the thing snowballed with  Michele Santoro who is probably Italy’s most famous investigative television reporter telephoning the office here in Barga and asking if the Director, Luca Galeotti it would go down to Rome the following day to appear on his television program to talk about this problem.

During the day Twitter and the various social networks on the internet were being utilised to get the word out that there was a tax on innovative use of the Internet.

On one hand the Italian government was telling small businesses that they must use the net to evolve their business and to survive in the difficult economic conditions that Italy and a good part of Europe as a whole is now going through and on the other hand they were allowing the RAI to raise revenue for internet use.

Late in the afternoon, after talks with ministers,  the  RAI backtracked, taking back what they said,  saying it was a mistake and anybody who had already paid their licence fee would be reimbursed.

Until the next time ?

“The intervention of the Minister Passera was appropriate at this point I hope that Rai communicate through advertising that the payment of the fee is payable only on the possession of television sets. “Marcucci adds: “Sorry to say but the public service in this affair has given very bad, trying to put the government in front of a fait accompli without having any title. Meanwhile, since the folder has already reached thousands of businesses and professional firms, who paid immediately refund you. –  Senator Andrea Marcucci  – full article here “

Oh, and the image at the start of this article ?

The window tax was a property tax based on the number of windows in a house. It was a significant social, cultural, and architectural force in England, France and Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. To avoid the tax some houses from the period can be seen to have bricked-up window-spaces, as a result of the tax. – source

The term “daylight robbery” is thought to have originated from the window tax as it was described by some as a “tax on light”