Web sites
Garry Jones
I have just found out that FOX is shutting down all unofficial web sites it can
find about the x-files or millenium.
How safe are "OUR" eastenders sites ? We only have a few. There are over 900 web
sites for the x-files.
Does anyone have any idea of the official BBC policy about "our" EE web sites.
I clipped the following quote after a Yahoo search. There is tons more there to
read.
Date: October 23, 1996. The new drama series from Chris Carter, Millennium,
aired on the Fox Network. On the same day, Gil Trevizo, the
maintainer of the one of the inaugural Millennium fan sites, received a notice
from the Fox network to shut his site down. When he failed to do
so immediately, Fox persuaded his university to freeze Mr. Trevizo's computer
account. This meant that he could not have access to his e-mail,
the Web, or any of the several X-Phile mailing lists he runs.
While many fans understand Fox's desire to protect their copywritten material,
there is a significant problem in Oakes's statement, which
apparently extends to X-Files sites as well as those of Millennium , as several
X-F have reportedly been shut down. That Oakes thinks one site
could possibly satisfy the future Millennium fandom is disturbing. It also
likely reveals at least one of several things. Keep in mind that "Mr.
Oakes" really means "Mr. David Oakes and whoever at Fox and/or Ten Thirteen
Productions is handing down this order."
1.Mr. Oakes is unaware of the definition of "World Wide Web." Furthermore, he
has not read Peter Huber's excellent Orwell's Revenge:
The "1984" Palimpsest. To mix references, resistance is futile, but which
side of this conflict is the one that will have to resist?
2.Mr. Oakes is misinformed about the depth of media fans of Millennium will
desire in the future. He may think (incorrectly) that one site,
a, dare I say it, Ministry of Information, could provide all the necessary
media. When one considers that Millennium fandom may,
weeks, months or years from now, reach the proportions that X-Files fandom
has achieved, this idea is realized as being ridiculous.
3.Mr. Oakes seriously underestimates the intelligence of the online
X-Files/Millennium community when he thinks we'll swallow an idea
like that.
4.Mr. Oakes is testing the on-line community to see how we'll react. This is
an attempt to censor what is merely someone's expression of
how much they like a television program. And if it works with Millennium,
then The X-Files, what will they go for next?
The following letter was sent on January 13th to me (and probably the
maintainers of other
protest sites) by David Oakes:
A STATEMENT FROM FOX REGARDING FAN WEBSITES
In response to erroneous rumors circulating on some internet websites,
Fox wishes to assure fans of "THE X-FILES", "MILLENNIUM" and "THE
SIMPSONS" that it is not Fox's intention to shut down bona fide websites
created by fans devoted to these programs.
However, Fox must require all websites using copyrighted and trademarked
materials to comply with guidelines that protect the creative integrity of
the programs they represent.
Fox has not asked any websites to be closed except a few which were using
program materials in an inappropriate manner. Some examples of
inappropriate uses we have found include:
(a) using copyrighted photographs, images and sounds which
have not been approved for distribution;
(b) removing Fox's copyright and trademark notices and
asserting ownership by a third party, or asserting that
copyrighted and trademarked materials are in the public
domain;
(c) copying or altering text, photographs, images, designs
and logos from official websites without permission or
attribution;
(d) copying or altering photographs, images, designs and
logos from programs in a manner that denigrates the
programs, the actors or the characters they portray;
(e) using photographs, images, designs and logos to
promote a product or commercial business or service;
(f) carrying advertising for parties not associated with the
programs; and
(g) offering unlicensed merchandise for sale;
We know true fans do not encourage inappropriate activities and respect
the hard work of the many talented and imaginative people who make
Fox's programs unique. Fox appreciates the support of all fans in
protecting its creative rights and proprietary interests.
end of paste
Garry