Like many contributors I am disappointed by the ONS request, though understand the FreeBMD stance in respecting their wishes and fostering good relationships. However their is little justification for the ONS request for exactly the reasons already stated: 1) the information is in the public domain 2) the information is widely available in libraries and FHCs 3) the ONS have already encompassed 'modern' media by selling data on CDROMs 4) the '100 year' limitation can hardly apply to deaths But one further, compelling issue is that the ONS is itself embarking on an ambitious and expensive project to digitise all BMD records and make them more readily available. The restriction on FreeBMD is therefore at odds with this philosophy and suggests double standards. There may be some concern about the demands that our online service may create for the ONS at Southport. The are themselves preparing to make online ordering with credit card payment available in the near future. If they want some idea of how much demand is generated by FreeBMD it would be better that they agree to a link being established with FreeBMD so that online ordering, or a downloaded order form, is available on the FreeBMD site. Otherwise it will be quite impossible to get any idea of the numbers of certificates ordered on the basis of FreeBMD searches since most searchers will copy the on-screen information and then order certificates separately. Perhaps it would be a much more positive step for the ONS to help set up such a service and establish the links than to restrict FreeBMD. As someone who processes a significant amount of post-1900 data for FreeBMD am concerned that contributors, especially one-namers, may no longer submit data if it is not to be made available. Finally, may I also suggest that it would have been helpful to have been informed of the change throguh these lists before its introduction rather than to discover it afterwards. The purpose of the Discussion list in particular is for a two way exchange. Best wishes Peter Hendy-Ibbs -- Researching: IBBS from Hunts/Beds and HENDY from Pembrokeshire Transcribing and reformatting for FreeBMD (http://freebmd.rootsweb.com)