BBFC: Legal Considerations

• Human Rights Act 1998 Rights established under this Act include the respect for private and family life and freedom of expression.
• The Licensing Act 2003 Cinemas require a license from the local of authority in which they operate including a condition on children under 18. The objectives of the Act are:

1. The prevention of crime and disorder
2. Public safety
3. Prevention of public nuisance
4. Protection of children from harm

• The Video Recordings Act 1984 Video works must be classified by the BBFC unless they fall within the definitions of an exempted work.Must take into consideration:

1. Criminal behaviour
2. Illegal drugs
3. Violent behaviour or incidents
4. Horrific behaviour or incidents.
5. Human sexual activity

• The Obscene Publications Act 1959 & 1964 It is illegal to publish a work which is obscene. No offence is commited if publication is justifid as being for the public good.
• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 It is illegal to be in posession of an extreme pornographic image.
• The Protection of Children Act 1978 It is illega to make, distribute, show or possess indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.
• The Sexual Offences Act 2003 It is illegal to expose oneself with intent to cause alarm or distress.
• The Public Order Act 1986 It is illegal to distribute, show or play to the public a recording of visual images or sounds which are theatening, abusive, or insulting.
• The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937 It is illegal to show any scene 'organised or directed' for the purpose of the film that involves actual cruelty to animals.
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 It is illegal to supply, publish, or show or possess with intent to supply a video recording of an 'animal fight' that has taken place in GB since April 2007.
• The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 It is illegal, in the course of a business, to publish a tobacco advertisment.