BBFC Launces New Online Classification Scheme

The British Board of Film Classification has unveiled BBFC Online, a new rating system for online content, including downloadable games and videos.

The voluntary scheme took 18 months to develop, and will see the Board's "established ratings labels" attached to a wide variety of new media, according to Next-Gen. The new service will also require "e-tailers" and video-on-demand services to have age verification systems in place to let parents monitor and control viewing by underage users.

Companies joining the new program include Walt Disney Europe, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, and the BBFC says other "key industry players" are set to come onboard soon.

"Consumers considering buying into the world of downloads will be able to rely on our familiar symbols and advice to decide which films or videogames are suitable for them and their children," said David Cooke, director of the BBFC. "They will also be assured that the filmmakers and download services in the scheme are keen to ensure their customers get genuine independent information about the digital films or games on offer."

BBFC Online has already given out roughly 700 "online certificates," and says it expects to reach 1000 by the end of the month. To learn more about the new program, go to www.bbfc.co.uk.