If you have iPlayer "installed" but never use it, and you do not watch live tv as it's broadcast, you do not need a licence.
And even that isn't quite correct is it, you can watch iPlayer on your laptop if you're in someone else's home and they have a licence.
> All viewers who use the iPlayer to watch any BBC programmes must now be covered by a TV licence after new rules came into force on Thursday.
> Previously, iPlayer users only needed a licence if they were using the service to watch live broadcasts.
> That meant it was legal to watch programmes after broadcast on catch-up without paying the annual £145.50 fee.
> But the TV licence requirements have now been extended to include catch-up, online premieres and online-only shows.
It only covers BBC iPlayer tv. It doesn't cover eg Channel 4's catch up service.