I wrote to OFCOM, asking for their advice on the legalities of receiving 1090 and air band VHF - their reply was "Consult a solicitor" - considering they're the official Government body responsible for enforcing Radio/Telecommunications' laws and regulations, NOT very helpful!
Don't spend your hard-earned consulting your solicitor Jon - here's a precis:
"Unauthorised reception
There are two criminal offences, under section 48 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, relating to unauthorised reception.
Offence 1
It is an offence if a person "otherwise than under the authority of a designated person:
…. uses wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any message whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not, of which neither the person using the apparatus nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient."
This means that it is illegal to listen to anything other than general reception transmissions unless you are either a licensed user of the frequencies in question or have been specifically authorised to do so by a designated person.
A designated person means:
the Secretary of State;
the Commissioners of Customs and Excise; or
any other person designated for the purpose by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
Offence 2
It is also an offence for someone, otherwise than under the authority of a designated person, to disclose any information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any message referred to in Offence 1. However, this does not apply where the disclosure is in the course of legal proceedings or for the purpose of any report of those proceedings. And, it does not apply where the information would have come to the person’s knowledge without the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus by him or by anyone else.
This means that it is also illegal to tell a third party what has been heard in a transmission a person has listened to illegally."
Note: the law says "obtain information". Ofcom uses the word "listen" as this brief is aimed at scanner listeners.
Obtaining and publishing (networking) - both offences but Ofcom (on the list to be abolished if the tories get in) are a pretty meek & mild lot when it comes to enforcement. Take their record in the field of telephone sales for example.
Keep low profile.
