Help UK DVD publishers withstand the revised Video Recordings Act

DH
Dan Hunter, MovieMail
Campaign created by
Dan Hunter, MovieMail
Help UK DVD publishers withstand the revised Video Recordings Act
3,798
of 4,000 signatures

To: David Cooke, Director of the BBFC

Dear David Cooke

Britain has some of the most exciting and inventive independent DVD labels in the world and they are threatened by the revised Video Recordings Act. Supplementary material is vital for these publishers because it encourages film lovers to buy the physical product rather than seek illegal sources. However, the changes to the VRA mean including extras on disc could become financially unviable.

The VRA is loosely worded and open to interpretation - how the BBFC chooses to implement it is of vital importance, as are the rates it charges these smaller publishers.

Please ensure that this thriving and valuable sector of the British film industry survives by tailoring the BBFC's requirements accordingly.

Why is this important?

Right now, Britain has some of the most exciting and inventive independent DVD labels in the world, companies doing everything from producing definitive editions of arthouse classics to rescuing the forgotten treasures of British film.

The Government has changed the Video Recording Act so that any 'documentary' material that includes clips of films that would be rated higher than a U (including clips that have already been classified) will no longer be exempt from classification. This means greatly increased costs and the potential end of extras-laden releases. It therefore threatens the very existence of the independent DVD publishing sector who rely on these editions to make purchasing a legal edition attractive, thus combating piracy.

More details are available in MovieMail's story: http://www.moviemail.com/blog/news/1974-BBFC-changes-A-major-threat-to-indie-DVD-labels/

How it will be delivered

We will deliver them in person to the BBFC offices in London

Category: Culture/Community
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Reasons for signing

  • Thomas M. 2014-10-17 00:41:50 +0100
    Childrens don't buy DVDs, let alone foreign or artie flicks. You want to protect them, stop them from watching Michael Bay movies and leave indie distributors alone.
  • Philip Q. 2014-05-31 18:18:57 +0100
    I simply don't wish to see independent labels be forced to compromise their standards or go out of business. The change to the Video Recordings Act is totally unnecessary.
  • Charles W. 2014-05-18 20:12:39 +0100
    Too much great British art is being stifled by socio-economic factors without legislation joining the party.
    • Read more

Updates

almost 2 years ago

1,000 signatures reached

almost 2 years ago

500 signatures reached

almost 2 years ago

100 signatures reached

almost 2 years ago

50 signatures reached

almost 2 years ago

25 signatures reached

almost 2 years ago

You can find out more about the situation from our first story - BBFC changes: A major threat to indie DVD labels? http://www.moviemail.com/blog/news/1974-BBFC-changes-A-major-threat-to-indie-DVD-labels/

We next approached the DCMS for an interview but were ignored, so we published an open letter: http://www.moviemail.com/blog/news/2002-Open-letter-to-the-Government-on-the-planned-BBFC-changes-and-how-you-can-help/

almost 2 years ago

10 signatures reached

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