Mersey TV

Why thank you sir, it was designed by my own fair hand.

You may well do, but do (did) you pay the actors involved? It's not just a point of observing copyright, there are the rights of those involved that need to be thought about. If a legit website wanted to use clips of Grange Hill they'd more than likely have to pay for the privilige.

These days, there are many unofficial TV show fan-sites on the internet that have scenes and full episodes available for streaming and downloading. Some are run by TV Forum members who promote their sites on here. I am not going to name names; that is not the issue here. My point is that these sites, technically, do infringe copyright, but I don't recall hearing an outcry from forum members about them, as there was when GH Online began streaming episodes. Furthermore (and please correct me if I am wrong), idents and presentation are the copyright of the TV stations and/or companies that created them.

I am not aware of the background to the GH Online/Mersey TV dispute, however I do believe that the latter are within their rights to request that certain material is removed. However, many a TV company turns a blind eye or unofficially supports such sites, and I believe Simon's point is that it is exasperating that Mersey TV have taken this action after the considerable time and effort he and his colleagues have put into the site - and effectively given the show free publicity and promotion. Would people be as quick to condemn the countless others who successfully run such websites? Or is it a case of seeing the author of the post and seizing an opportunity to have a bitching session?

I am not getting at anyone in particular - in fact some very valid and accurate points have been made in this thread, and the previous archived thread about GHTV, and voiced in a tactful way. But far from all.

As for the signature I accept it is 'tongue-in-cheek' but it may not do your cause any good Simon! As for being offensive, well it's far from the most offensive comment in this thread, or on the forum as a whole. "A joke is a joke; people should be able to accept a bit of leg-pulling and the odd dig" I keep reading whenever a complaint is made. If that's the case, they should lead by example.

Simon has contacted me to tell me he has reported me for the use of his likeness in my image signature, and has asked me to remove the image from my disc. I'm sure he won't mind me saying.

I will answer publicly that I will, provided he removes his own, as I stated earlier in this thread.

Don't talk to me via PM, Simon. It's nothing personal, its just that after all these years here my inbox is very full and you don't really deserve a slot.

Irrespective of what my signature says.

Culture steroetyping are we? My, but you can't help yourself tonight Simon, can you?

I will remove my "fun poking" signature (your phrase in PM, Simon) if you remove yours.

Do you really think that giving out a Mersey TV worker's email address when you label them a "MORON" is going to have positive results for you?

You do, don't you?

That's the scary bit.

I have to be honest it is a big shame that a fan website gets closed down, especially if a lot of effort has been put into them, although to be honest I never viewed the site as I am not a Grange Hill fan & don 't watch the programme anyway.

I have myself considered doing fan sites for Minder, Father Ted, Teachers & Black Books, but because of limited computer resources & commitment to any site I would opne I haven't bothered.

However I must say if I did open the site & was told to close it by the creators I wouldn't slag them off. For all you know Mersey may have changed their mind at a later stage & allowed you to reopen it if it wasn't for the video clips. However IF there are any of Phil Redmond's friends or colleagues on this site who are reading this you may have blown your chances of ever getting the site reopened.

I take it the few blank posts of yours on this thread were quite offensive, hence them been blank.

However although I see your anger that your fan site has been closed down (which IMO are usually a lot better than the official sites) it does yourself no favours slagging of the exact people who own copyright

BTW the word in red originally said "would" which totally f*cked up my whole arguement but has now been corrected

i find this whole situation terribly ironic. i demand everyone uses this signature until such a time where luxt0n is found to be compliant and he reinstates the gh online webpage, including the full episode video downloads.

Dont let his life be in vain!

WHERE on this thread have I slagged off Phil Redmond? Nowhere. That is not to say I have not spoken out about the changes he's made maybe on other threads in the past. The posts I have blanked contain no such comments.

Any blanked posts did NOT contain anything derogatory about either Phil Redmond or anyone else associated with Mersey TV. If I've cancelled postings it's to try and take the heat out of the situation here. I am so hacked off with the "let's take the p*** out of the thread author" mentality that prevails here with the result that the issues raised get sidelined by the bitchy queens.

Although I have toned down my sig image (very grudgingly), the link is still there for anyone who wants to show genuine support. This thread isn't just about my own site, it's about similar fan sites operating by well-meaning fans which are under threat from corporate anti-competitiveness.
At this point I wish to thank the Crossroads Network Forum for their support. There have been valid points made here which of course I am taking on board. But can I please appeal to everyone's better nature; whatever you think about me please consider the cause I'm putting on the table and if you want to show support for us, we'd be most grateful. Many thanks.

I WAS NOT ACCUSING YOU AT ALL, I was just assuming because of all of those blank posts & the fact people made hints of it above (like the staff of Mersey TV MORANS).

Also I DO support independent fan sites like I said above & think it is a shame it has happened as the majority of official sites are a sack of sh*te. But I can see why it has happened. You were afterall showing full episodes.

However any independent website of a TV Programme , that is of good quality gets my support.

Thanks Johnny, and apologies if I seemed stand-offish but it's other contributors to this thread that make it difficult for me to keep my cool...