Kuuso on 25/8/2009 at 15:37
(
http://kotaku.com/5344941/its-now-legal-to-sell-adult-games-to-minors-in-the-uk)
"File under: Oh Dear. A series of administrative blunders in the UK has resulted in the discovery today that the country's video game ratings laws are not actually in effect. Only, there was a problem: Britain, as a member of the European Union, never forwarded the paperwork onto the EU. Something every law needs to do in order to be formally passed.
And in the meantime? Until said loophole is closed, it's 100% legal for anyone, of any age, to buy anything. Movies, games, porn, doesn't matter. Even if it's media content that was previously banned in the UK, until that emergency legislation is passed, it's all good."
How I wish I was a adolescent boy in UK right now. Albeit I think nobody will be selling 18-rated stuff to minors anyways.
Matthew on 25/8/2009 at 15:54
I don't think our legislation actually has to be forwarded to the EU (which didn't exist in 1986, fact fans) to have binding effect in law in the UK.
Edit: yes, so it seems: it's the classification system which had to be notified to the EEC, not the existence of the actual legislation itself.
David on 25/8/2009 at 17:23
It won't make a blind bit of difference. The major chains won't want want the bad publicity and the small chains or individual shops that will do it are likely to have done it anyway.
DDL on 25/8/2009 at 17:33
I also like the fact that a decent percentage of the comments to the original article are basically "RHRHARHRAHRHAHRRH VOTE UKIP"
Wait, no: that's terrifying.
Briareos H on 25/8/2009 at 17:36
Quote Posted by Kotaku
Those who have already been convicted of an offence under the act will remain convicted, and can't have their penalties/fines/sentences reduced.
Wait, what, why ?
I'm pretty sure that a judgement passed on a given law when this one is not in application is illegal and can be revoked ? :confused: confirm/deny
gunsmoke on 25/8/2009 at 18:38
Quote Posted by David
It won't make a blind bit of difference. The major chains won't want want the bad publicity and the small chains or individual shops that will do it are likely to have done it anyway.
This
R Soul on 25/8/2009 at 19:00
I know it's easy to mock the "rarrghgh vote ukip" comments but it's no wonder the mistake went unnoticed for so long. To me it seems unreasonable that Britain, or any other country, should have to tell the EC about a law before it can come into force, and I think that's why nobody thought to check.
d0om on 1/9/2009 at 10:36
Well, I think the EU countries have to tell each other about new laws which ban / restrict the sale of items, so that they can tell their citizens to avoid them being arrested when they travel / businesses not being allowed to sell their goods anymore?
Makes sense kinda, its just a requirement to notify. You have to notify your own citizens of new laws you make, so why not notify the citizens of the EU when your laws will affect people in other countries (for exports etc)
Melan on 1/9/2009 at 11:12
Nobody will keep the minors from their precious, precious adult content except requiring credit cards, in which case they will just get it for free. It's a losing battle.
