VoD & TV License
In the UK one needs a television license to 'receive or record television broadcast services' and this law was written with transmission in mind. It's perfectly legal to own equipment that can receive signals, so long as it is not used for the purposes of receiving or recording. 'Used' is the operative word. Don't bother arguing with me - I'm right. If you think I'm wrong, call up TV Licensing first and ask them before you spout incorrect info and get shot down in flames.
As a result, you can buy a TV and video / DVD player and rent DVD's, or a friend can record something for you at their house and you can play it back at a later date in your house. This is called Time Shifting and is perfectly legal under TV Licensing law.
I don't watch TV and so don't need a license, however I would quite like to see Star Trek on VoD as there are quite a few episodes I've missed (yes I fail at geek).
Now... as I see it, VoD is not broadcast, and therefore people should not be able to be prosecuted for watching it without a TV License. If you accidentally turn the TV on to a broadcast channel, then yes you are breaking the law, but I don't see how VoD could be classed any differently than time shifting.