I tried using the "use utf8;" line and it created a recursion error. As mentioned above I am using EPiC for eclipse and have the pages encoded to UTF-8 through the interface. Also the output to the HTML pages that the script is creating is handling the characters fine.

If you still think that it is a UTF-8 error, I am assuming I would need to copy all of my code out to say notepad, use the UTF-8 line, and then paste back in. If there is an easier way would be happy to hear as it will save me a few files of code to not do this for.

As for the $pkg'var comment, I just wanted to ensure readers that I was aware of this and that this wasn't the cause.