Thinking about it the accusation of harrasment is utter nonsense. Countless televison programmes and Which, all expose the shortcomings of companies, with audiences/readership in the millions. Are they guilty of harrasment, or, provided facts are stated, and commented on, is it freedom of speech.

If the company has not been named, but it is quite obvious who the company are, it says a lot about the reputation of said company. If this thread is deleted, then I personally will make sure that EVERY consumer site on the internet knows about the actions of this company.

Having done this, why not move on and enjoy your kitchen. Am I alone in thinking that although they quite rightly feel agrieved, the O.P's apparent attitude problem, and perceived racism, has not helped the situation. I have found the most effective way with dealing with mistakes by companies is to approach them in a calm, factual way, making it clear that you want to work together with them to resolve the problem in the least confrontational way possible. Once I was actually thanked by Alliance and Leicester for my approach to them - the end result was they went the extra mile to sort the problem out.

In my experience HMRC have very strict criteria as to who is and isn't self employed. One of the bench marks is do you work solely for one company, and do they allow you to also work elsewhere. They know that some companies declare all their staff self-employed to avoid the many responsibilities that come with employing people, including operating a PAYE system. My gut feeling is that you are not self employed. However you have done the right thing by informing the tax man.

I worked on this basis for many years. First you must inform HMRC. Next you must set up your accounts. Go to somewhere like Staples and buy a cheap accounts ledger - the cost of this can be offset against any tax you pay. Each week enter how much you have earned, also any allowable expenses needed to do your job. Working in a call centre, this probably won't be much.Ask others what they are allowed to claim. It is important you start your accounts now, if you leave it until you have to make a tax return next April, you will find it twice as much work, and mistakes can happen. It is important that you put aside some of your earnings to pay tax and N.I. When you send in your annual tax return, your amount of tax due will be calculated, and you will have until the following January to pay it. Note. Not paying it, or delaying payment is not an option. If you pop into your local tax office, they will happily give you help.

I agree with others. The inclusion of a printout of this thread is a blatant attempt at intimidation. The O.P did not mention the supermarket by name; others including myself did so. My own actions were deliberate since every edited employee I come across complains of being treated badly. In fact the store nearest me has such an appalling reputation, there is at present a mini boycott by customers. Word spreads very fast. My own opinion is this 'culture' stems from the top.

The reply they sent you is a smokescreen designed to frighten you off at the first post. They did not follow statutory dismissal procedures,did not give you a written contract and no amount of legal advice can alter this.I would push ahead with your appeal, using recorded post, especially important with he proposed Postal Strikes.

If you feel you must write to them, send one final letter saying that unless they issue a genuine court summons within 7 days, you will consider the matter closed. Then get on with your life; donating all future letters from them to your local recycling initiative.

As I mentioned in post number 21 of this thread, Adobe said they were trading illegally. When I e-mailed Adobe, they replied within 30 minutes, and like Bank Fodder, I am still waiting to hear from FAST. I will shortly be e-mailing FAST again, asking wHy members of the public should bother reporting possible piracy, if they will not even bother to acknowledge such reports.

I did think an interesting discussion was developing between XL and most of us. I was even swaying towards thinking that they may of had a sound business.But now ? I will reserve judgement to see why the original thread has once again been taken down, but would add I am not amused at wasting time and effort to no avail. I shall now continue to e-mail other companies for their opinions.

I am sure you have taken legal advice, but I am not sure asking a customer to tick a box absolves you of all responsibilty. A defence of someone buying a backup of software they don't own could be that if your service did not exist, they would not have been tempted:-| Others may argue that they ticked to agree to your terms without reading them, which let's face it most of us have done since they tend to be long and boring. You should also be aware that companies such as Microsoft are very agressive and protective towards their products, and may not act in a fair,legal or rational way since they have a multi billion budget for lawyers, as the E.U have found out.

It seems e-bay are not happy with the legality of 'backups' http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Are-Backup-Cpoies-Illegal-or-do-they-Infringe-Copyright_W0QQugidZ10000000000870664

All well and good, but you appear not to realise that Microsoft in paticular do not allow any backups for any reason, since you are purchasing the right to use the software and not outright ownership.

Try reading the e-mail I sent them. I asked if you were trading legally and was o.k to purchase from them.They looked at your site and terms and conditions, and told me it was illegal. Who am I to believe - Adobe - who own the software you are 'backing up', or your 'legal team'.

Have just had a reply from Adobe RE: Copying software‏ From: [b]Chris Stickle[/b] (cstickle@adobe.com) Sent: 07 October 2009 17:35:51 To: electron99 [color=black]Totally illegal…thanks [/color] [color=black]Chris Stickle[/color] [color=black]Enforcement Manager, Anti-Piracy[/color] [color=black]Adobe Systems Incorporated[/color] [color=black]601 Townsend St.[/color] [color=black]San Francisco, CA 94103[/color] [color=black]415.832.5187[/color] [color=black]415.832.5140 fax[/color] [color=black]cstickle@adobe.com[/color] [b]Sent:[/b] Wednesday, October 07, 2009 9:20 AM [b]To:[/b] piracy adobe [b]Subject:[/b] Copying software [img=http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/ltr/i_safe.gif][img=http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/ltr/i_safe.gif][img=http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/ltr/i_safe.gif][img=http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/ltr/i_safe.gif][img=http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/ltr/i_safe.gif]This company http://www.xltrading.co.uk/store/categories/PC-Software/ Is selling copies of your software for £3.50-£4.50. Please can you confirm that they are trading legally, and it is all right to purchase from them. electron99 So it seems the days of XLTrading are numbered.

I have now contacted Adobe,Fast,Microsoft and the VAT man for the definitive answer on whether it is safe to trade with XL.

I didn't actually e-mail you asking why the thread had been closed, since I accept your right to do this without justifying to me.What I did send you was the reason I started the thread. However, I do apologise if it appears that I have been less than polite in my rapid response, but you must appreciate that when XLTrading start threating to prosecute anyone who questions them, I felt it important to get my reason in before they attempted to close down any further discussion.

As the originator of the censored thread, I merely posted it as I wanted to use XLTrading, but was unsure of the legalities. The subsequent threats from XL sent warning bell, so have duly reported them to FAST, Adobe, and Microsoft. What puzzles me is why XL wanted the thread closed as it could have generated a lot of business.

If you are not trading illegally, why do you want to censor debate on your companies products. I don't see car manufacturers trying to silence 'Which' when their products are critizised. Why should you be treated any differently, unless you have something to hide. I will hold off reporting you to fast and adobe to allow you to justify that what you are doing is above board. Failure to do so, or any attempt to threaten CAG and get this thread removed will lead to the conclusion you do have something to hide, and fast will be contacted.

This company is offering lots of software and music CD's for £3.50 http://www.xltrading.co.uk/store/categories/PC-Software/ Apparently what they do is send you a copy of the software as a 'back-up', provided you promise them you own the original discs. Leaving aside the fact that anyone with an ounce of sense can make their own backups, surely it is illegal to copy and sell software/music C.D's.

Initially you may get a better chance of the media taking an interest if you contact a local paper.If it proves a big enough story, the Nationals would then take an interest.

Please read the plethora of posts on this and other PPC's where the overwhelming experience is that if you totally ignore them they will usually go away. This is the real world experience, as opposed to the 'advice' given by CAB, solicitors et al.

Peverel have an appalling reputation for managing pproperties.Residents of course do have the option of sacking them and finding someone else.

Another thing while it is fresh in your minds. Write down everything that has happened leading up to today's meeting, with times dates, conversations and witnessess. You will need this later. Incidentally my neighbour works for a supermarket, and from what she describes, they have to be amongst the worst employers in the country, which has led to many of us boycotting our local store.

Has the grievance against the manager been dropped. If so it could be considered that the dismissal is an attempt to squash this action. Would agree don't involve the press, but go for a E.T.