Video and film classification
The British Board of Film Classification considers for classification every film, video or DVD to be made available to the public in the UK.
The work is placed in a particular age-related category ('U', 'PG', '12/12A', '15', '18', 'R18') depending on the suitability of the material. What is appropriate for each age group is based on a set of guidelines that take into account the law and public opinion. The guidelines can be seen at the BBFC's website at http://www.bbfc.co.uk/.
Some video games are particularly realistic, or feature sex or violence and must be classified by the BBFC under the Video Recordings Act 1984.
It is an offence to supply a video, DVD or game classified by the BBFC to someone who does not meet the age requirement; the offence is punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison.
Those video games not eligible for classification by the BBFC are classified under a voluntary industry scheme overseen by the Video Standards Council (VSC). Details of the new pan-European scheme they are currently introducing may be found on the VSC's website at http://www.videostandards.org.uk/.
The Home Office deals with matters relating to the Obscene Publications Act 1959. |
