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The Details
Offences under the Act:
1) Supplying,
or offering to supply, an uncertified Video (tape or disc).
2) Possessing
an uncertified Video for supply.
3) Supplying, or offering to supply,
a Video to a person below the age specified on the certificate.
4)
Supplying, or offering to supply, an 'R18' Video on premises other than a licensed
sex shop.
5) Supplying, or offering to supply, a Video in such a
way that the labelling requirements are infringed, i.e; in an unmarked box or
where the symbols and statements are of the wrong colour or have become defaced
and obscured.
6) Supplying, or offering to supply, a falsely labelled
Video.>
Penalties:
The first two offences can result in a fine of up to £20,000 on conviction.
The others carry a maximum of £2,000 fines.
The Act empowers
the Police to search, seize and arrest. Videos for which people are convicted
under the Act are subject to forfeiture.
Exemptions:
Material designed to be informative, educational or instructive, or which is concerned
with sport, religion or music.
Exemption is lost if material deals significantly
with:
1) Human sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated
with such activity.
2) Mutilation or torture or other acts of gross
violence towards Humans or animals.
3) Human genitals, Human urinary
or excretory functions or if product is designed to stimulate or encourage acts
listed in the above two categories.
Exempt
supplies include:
a) If the supply is neither
for reward nor in the course of business.
b) Where an original supplier
supplies a Video to another supplier as long as it is not intended to reach the
public.
c) Exports
d) Supplying Videos made to record
events like weddings for those who took part in them, providing they don't depict
or stimulate sex or violence.
e) Supplies to bona-fide cinemas and
broadcasters and the censoring authority are exempt, along with medical training
films.