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International Law

: Internet Law - Copyright Law

Bill concerning minors protection in films and videogames

By Giovanni Maria Riccio

On July 23, the Council of Ministers has approved a bill concerning minors protection in films and videogames. As for the film sector, the goal is the abolition of the censorship, to be replaced by a operators responsibility system and control of the establishment to a concrete minors safeguard. The bill is based on a self-regulation approach. Article 2 of the bill states that in the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities, will be set up the ?Commission for Films Classification and Minors Protection?, which will have the power to forbid the showing of a film, if it is immoral and assess the film adequacy for minors if 14 years or minors of 18 years, taking into consideration the particular sensitivity of the age of development and its moral safeguard exigencies.

The second part of the bill aims to protect minors during the use of videogames. According to article 7 of the bill, Producers, importers and distributors, and associations thereof, shall classify video games, off-line or on-line, on the basis of the recognised European self-regulatory system (following the system, called PEGI, Pan Eurpopean Game Information). Videogames will be classified on the basis of content and psychic and emotional suitability for the age of the players. Classification criteria shall take into account themes, language, degree of violence, sexual or pornographic images, use of psychotropic substances, and any discriminatory messages concerning race, religion, sex, sexual tendencies, nationality, disability, or any other element harmful to the dignity of the person. Producers, importers and distributors shall clearly and unequivocally indicate the rating given to the videogame in whatever manner or means the copies are advertised, distributed or marketed.

Full post as published by Internet Law - Copyright Law on November 21, 2007 (boomark / email).