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Free The Fixtures Campaign

A new group have set up to protest at 3rd parties such as independent websites having to pay for the publication of fixture lists.

All newspapers, sites etc have to pay the fee and 'free the fixtures campaign' question why us fans should have to pay for the 'privilege' of advertising (which is what fixtures basically are) the fixtures for the games we all pay our hard earnt money to go and watch. Vital Football have had to take the stance that we won't publish fixtures due to the costs involved and most independent sites take the same position. For us to do it across the network we would be looking at a fee in the region of £13 000 + VAT, something that just isn't economically viable!

So, if you have an interest, these are the details of the campaign set up. This isn't run by anyone involved with Vital Football but I think like most football fans, we echo the sentiment, we should be able to publish the fixtures as the fans are what makes this game and without us it would collapse.

Free the fixtures campaign:

www.freethefixtures.com

On Thursday 14th June the fixtures for the 2007/08 football season were published. However most fan run websites will not be displaying them....

Football DataCo Ltd is a British company that grants licenses to third parties allowing them to reproduce certain intellectual property such as fixture lists and statistics. Football DataCo is wholly owned by FA Premier League and The Football League. The standard fee for the reproduction of a single team`s fixture list currently stands at £266 plus VAT.

This fee is charged to all 3rd parties including independently owned football fan sites and fanzines. Numerous fan sites have been closed as a result of legal action initiated by Football DataCo Ltd.

We the fans should be free to publish our teams fixtures on our sites.

Please sign the petition and we will present it to the people that are responsible for charging the fans to publish THEIR fixtures!

Sign Here




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Writer: Site Staff Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Monday June 18 2007

Time: 2:58PM

Your Comments

What happened a few years ago when the News Papers refused to publish the runners and riders at race meetings because the Jockey Club hiked up the prices so much. The jockey club backed down when numbers at races fell because their meetings were not publicised. Maybe the football Industry should do the same..
col8
How utterly ridiculous. Where else in life would a 3rd party have to pay an event organiser for the 'privilege' of offering free advertising. This is a money grabbing joke. Get real Premier league.
Adam Deuce
Signed. What a bunch of idiots in charge of football.
CLVilla
I think I'm right in saying it is the Press Association who dish the licenses out on DataCo's behalf, so they shouldn't escape criticism. But as not one of these petitions has ever made a difference...!
NeilBaker
i'm so disgusted with whoever made the decision, it wouldnt be so bad if it was a small release fee (although it should be free) but 13,000 for a list. they are taking the p*** In my honest opinion they are GREEDY ..................
pandapops
so what would happen if an individual forum member was to post the fixtures in a thread, would that person be sued?????? or would it be the site owners in trouble???
steff_the_villan
good point steff, as forums designed for opinions and comments. Although i guess it is down to the website to monitor its content, and i think they could be held responsible as the hosts. I'm glad you protested though, i hope more people do
pandapops
Its a totally farcical and outrageous situation, yet one that is so typical of the premier league/football league and its dealings with the people that really matter, namely your average everyday football supporter. If it wasn't so sad and ridiculous, it would be laughable.
glensider
I really dont think the petition will do much good though if i'm honest, there are quite a few signatures but not enough or anywhere near to seriously make them take note. The league/FA know exactly what they are doing and no doubt will continue to do so until only the big papers and main websites will feature anything remotely football orientated
pandapops
Again, a case of the F.A./Premier league burying their heads in the sand.
glensider
 

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