BBFC Launces New Online Classification Scheme

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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BBFC Launces New Online Classification Scheme


The British Board of Film Classification [http://www.bbfc.co.uk] has unveiled BBFC Online, a new rating system for online content, including downloadable games and videos.

The voluntary scheme took 18 months to develop, and will see the Board's "established ratings labels" attached to a wide variety of new media, according to Next-Gen [http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10586&Itemid=2]. The new service will also require "e-tailers" and video-on-demand services to have age verification systems in place to let parents monitor and control viewing by underage users.

Companies joining the new program include 20th Century Fox [http://disney.go.com/index], and the BBFC says other "key industry players" are set to come onboard soon.

"Consumers considering buying into the world of downloads will be able to rely on our familiar symbols and advice to decide which films or videogames are suitable for them and their children," said David Cooke, director of the BBFC. "They will also be assured that the filmmakers and download services in the scheme are keen to ensure their customers get genuine independent information about the digital films or games on offer."

BBFC Online has already given out roughly 700 "online certificates," and says it expects to reach 1000 by the end of the month. To learn more about the new program, go to www.bbfc.co.uk [http://www.bbfc.co.uk/bbfcOnline/bbfcOnline.php].


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the_tramp

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May 16, 2008
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Most online downloadable games etc come with the American equivalent anyway. I realise that they hold no merit but still if a parent sees 'Mature' then they are likely to look twice. To be honest rating online publications are worthless anyway because if an underage person sees '18+?' then they will tick regardless. I saw report on BBC news the other day that was moaning about how kids can order age related products online (probably connected to this but I didn't realise it at the time), the spokesperson was saying that children 'very rarely' order overage products online - to which I called bullshit.