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Loophole allows children to buy adult games

Published on 26th August 2009 by Joe Martin

A legal loophole has emerged which exempts games stores from prosecution for selling adult games to children.

A legal loophole has been uncovered in the UK which has exempted all games stores in the UK from prosecution for selling adult-rated computer games to minors. Even worse, the loophole has existed for 25 years and nobody noticed. Dozens of prosecutions which are currently in the works have suddenly been dropped too.

The mistake itself is quite simple - a simple administration error meant that the European Commission was not notified about the law, which prevents it from being enforceable.

The BBC reported the error first, with UK Minister for Media, Sport and Culture Barbara Follet writing to relevant industry bodies to inform them that the act was not enforceable and pleading with them to exercise care and judgement until the mistake can be rectified.

The government is apparently working to fix the situation as fast as possible - but it will take at least three months to pass the law again and get approval from the EC.

In the meantime, most large retailers have confirmed that they'll be keeping to the rules on a voluntary basis and the government has ensured that all past convictions will stand.

"Our legal advice is that those previously prosecuted will be unable to overturn their prosecution or receive financial recompense," a government spokesperson told the BBC.

"Much of the problem would have been avoided if they had sorted out the classification of video games earlier, as we and many others in the industry have been urging them to do," added Shadow Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

14 Comments

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l3v1ck 26th August 2009, 11:26

Why the hell should our laws not be enforceable because of the EU? If it was passed in our parliament it should be valid here.

mikeuk2004 26th August 2009, 11:44

exactly

Veles 26th August 2009, 12:29

Why does it matter anyway? Aren't they getting rid of BBFC ratings for games and sticking just to PEGI?

liratheal 26th August 2009, 13:32

Goddamn, I do so love the EU.

Bye bye, country specific laws!

SNIPERMikeUK 26th August 2009, 13:57

It really should be down to the store that sells the games, the games are rated what more can they do?

Omnituens 26th August 2009, 13:59

I'm assuming the EU needed to know due to the E in PEGI

EU STRIKES AGAIN.

alpaca 26th August 2009, 14:19

all you EU haters... the EU really is a good thing you know. you for yourself are a union too aren't you? try imagine how life would be on your island when there where tree little countries, England, Scotland and Wales. there is a reason you're still one country. take the bigger picture, with europe as a continent. is it so wrong we all get together, so we can actually make a difference in this world, with countries like the US and China (and, but not as strong anymore, Russia).

Cobalt 26th August 2009, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpaca
all you EU haters... the EU really is a good thing you know. you for yourself are a union too aren't you? try imagine how life would be on your island when there where tree little countries, England, Scotland and Wales. there is a reason you're still one country. take the bigger picture, with europe as a continent. is it so wrong we all get together, so we can actually make a difference in this world, with countries like the US and China (and, but not as strong anymore, Russia).

I generally support the EU, but measures like this are bullcrap. If we want to pass our own laws, then what should the EU have to do with it unless it is in contravention of the treaty?

alpaca 26th August 2009, 15:22

well, and i admit this is rather an exeption, but this rule (and rating) is an european one.
there are however those things that could be done better and more efficient. but i do not think this is the right treat to discuss european politics. good day to you all.

RichCreedy 26th August 2009, 21:33

i thought all uk laws were signed off by the queen after government has told her which laws need signing off ;)

anyway we should not need to inform eu of laws within our territory. i hate the way the eu can control our laws

xprodancer 27th August 2009, 02:11

i just hate bein a part of the f*****g EU it sucks! everything has to pass thro them now! its our country our laws! enough said!

TSR2 27th August 2009, 13:13

And you should see what Brown's using it for, Tory bashing even though the Tories would just stick two fingers to that nonsense.

Star*Dagger 27th August 2009, 14:02

Sigh, your currency is worth alot less than it would have if you guys got into the Euro when it was at parity with the dollar.
Get into the EU (oops you are already in, wake up!) or simply leave the EU, this is the choice that faces the UK, you can only fence sit for so long, and frankly, that time is ended.
You are part of the most progressive political entity in the history of mankind, it has its problems, all human institutions do. But I think you will admit it is better than Germany and France going to war with each other, every generation, and then expanding the war to bring you guys into it.
You have to look at the broad sweep of European history and see what a marvelous miracle the EU is.
Additionally, Europe is going to need to realize that IT is the CENTER now, again, like it was for the last 600 years (with a 50 year break for the bi-polar Cold War). The US is broke and will never regain its superpower status.
China, while ascendant is not ready to take on being the Center of the world, for financial, social and cultural reasons. It looks to me that for the most of the 21st century there will be many poles of power, the largest one being the EU, we have the infrastructure, education, currency and just general civilization experience.

But I digress. If you want to hear more, pm me or start another thread dealing with this subject, id be glad to join it...

Yours in very European Plasma,
Star*Dagger

ZERO <ibis> 9th April 2010, 06:32

Well when you join the EU you no longer are a nation. Just like when the states formed the United States their individual nationhood ended and even a civil war would not change that. Although the EU is not as set in stone.