It's Now Legal To Sell Adult Games To Minors In The UK

This is pure epicness at its best:

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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.

In 1984, the Video Recordings Act was passed in British parliament, resulting in the supposed implementation of a law that would see retailers and individuals punished for providing under-age customers with age-restricted content (including video games).

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.

This means that the Act was never actually implemented. And hasn't been for the past 25 years.

Those who have already been convicted of an offence under the act will remain convicted, and can't have their penalties/fines/sentences reduced. But those about to be prosecuted will be spared, at least until the government can enact "emergency legislation" to close the loophole (which we'd imagine won't be long).

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.

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Read this at Kotaku

Some of you underage peeps need to really try this out - go buy 18-rated things now!! The law is on your side haha.

I can't imagine that they will start selling them to underages just because they can't be prosecuted. But it does suck, I keep try to buy 18 games in stores for my whole life, and then 6 months into being 18, it's discovered I could have done it anyway.

And having studied politics, I know that the minimum time that it takes them to pass emergency legislation is 3 months. So you squeakers can go make a good couple years head start on your porn collections. Alternatively, just use the internet.

And for once - I am actually praising the EU. Increased integration - no. Eroding away national sovereignty - no. [Economic free trade and benefits - gimme]. The framework to give every 12 year old access to SAW, Manhunt 2 and Girls Gone Wild - Thank you very much.

EDIT - Political opinion and explanation of my view on the EU above - read if your interested/bored

Spoiler:

Before I get accused of being a BNP fascist pig - I am a New Right Conservative (Thatcher/Reagen/Cameron to a certain degree). My view on the EU is that we should be in the Economic Free Trade Area, but not part of the growing political integration which erodes national soverignty. I also support allowing immigrants on economics reasons, which are complicated and assume that some conditions are also installed.)

steam has no age test...

That's pretty awesome xD. I want somebody under 18 to print it off and go buy some 18 rated movies.

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Originally Posted by Oricalcos

I can't imagine that they will start selling them to underages just because they can't be prosecuted. But it does suck, I keep try to buy 18 games in stores for my whole life, and then 6 months into being 18, it's discovered I could have done it anyway.

And having studied politics, I know that the minimum time that it takes them to pass emergency legislation is 3 months. So you squeakers can go make a good couple years head start on your porn collections. Alternatively, just use the internet.

And for once - I am actually praising the EU. Increased integration - no. Eroding away national sovereignty - no. [Economic free trade and benefits - gimme]. The framework to give every 12 year old access to SAW, Manhunt 2 and Girls Gone Wild - Thank you very much.

EDIT - Political opinion and explanation of my view on the EU above - read if your interested/bored

Spoiler:

Before I get accused of being a BNP fascist pig - I am a New Right Conservative (Thatcher/Reagen/Cameron to a certain degree). My view on the EU is that we should be in the Economic Free Trade Area, but not part of the growing political integration which erodes national soverignty. I also support allowing immigrants on economics reasons, which are complicated and assume that some conditions are also installed.)

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lol oric ive been able to buy 18 games/movies since i was about 15 :P

This fucked up law also applys to sales/renting/piracy of dvd's meaning blockbuster or anyone for 3 months can legally now sell home copied dvd's.