UK going back to the Dark ages again :(

[tee bird]

The goverement are going to clamp down on adult dvds and VHS from 1st October 2001, They will make it a serious Arrestable Offence!
Please go to this link for more



http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/news0801. ... ing%20Porn


A very sad day:(

[Miscreant70]

Although the paper refers to the usual "indecent/obscene" materials, if explicit sexual material is now available legally in the UK (as R18s) then MOR hardcore is no longer indecent or obscene.

M.

[joe king]

The definition of 'indecent' is elastic or rather, a matter of someones opinion.

[pasta]

tee bird wrote:
>
> The goverement are going to clamp down on adult dvds and VHS
> from 1st October 2001, They will make it a serious Arrestable
> Offence!

http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/news0801.htm#Importing Porn

No, it doesn't say that exactly. It's only about the vague term "importation of indecent or obscene material."

As Miscreant70 says, R18s for example are not obscene - they are legal of course - and so it is not likely that imported material of this standard can be considered obscene either. Unfortunately, it's all a bit vague, which seems to be the way the British authorities like it. So we shall just have to wait and see exactly what they *do* mean.

As Dave Taylor says on the page, we may *presume* that they are talking about child porn but they don't say that, hence we should be cautious at least.

[David J]

I have seen this change in the law mentioned in the Press somewhere, and the Government spokesman definitely said it was aimed at child pornography. Snag is, the legislation apparently doesn't say so, and it could be used more widely if the policy changes.

[Zephod Beebalbrox]

I am not sure who this law is aimed at...what exactly constitutes importing porn? Simply ordering from the US or Europe? Perhaps the law might intend importing to refer to the companies like Vidshop and Your Choice who are importing to the UK for sale. I was always under the impression that, simply put,it was legal to buy and own but illegal to sell.

Since the introduction of R18 videos surely the law cannot be intended to curb the import of similar content from abroad. That in itself would be dangerous legal ground in a free trade environment. It would seem intensely hypocritical to clamp down on foreign imports whilst simultaneously easing the puritan restrictions of UK certifications.
To my knowledge, customs are indeed instructed to turn a blind eye to any "regular" porn that they might find. The worst you might get is a letter of confiscation. Probably because the customs guy fancied it for himself!!
Also, it seems self evident that any attempt to prosecute average UK consumers for importing porn would be impractical and foolish. It is already common knowledge that prosecutions for importing porn are never pursued since convictions are close to impossible. The laws that govern the definition of obsenity are hopelessly out of date and cannot be proven to represent public opinion and community standards. The EU would also frown on any attempt by the UK to further distance themselves from the European standard.
Anyway, where the hell would the police put the thousands of young men who routinely buy porn from outside the UK?
I tend to agree that the law must be intended as a response to the outcry over child pornography and similar depravity (rape videos and bestiality etc). Surely no-one would argue for any other policy.
However I would never put hypocrisy beyond a government that has no idea what its policies even are until some PR wanker tells them the latest slogan of the week.

Just my two cents

[Rimbaud]

Nobody EVER gets prosecuted for importing porn unless they're doing it as a business (even then prosecuion is rare, as a trip round Soho will tell you) or it's some sick nasty stuff.

[Ben Dover]

I've checked with the Home Office and they are concerned [obsessed?] only with child porn, animals, rape and bondage, in other words anything that wouldn't get an R18 certificate. Although the paper doesn't make this clear at all, Customs have taken it on board. So a big phew!! all round. We will still have R18's after Oct 1 exactly the same as they are now. It's certainly a weight off my mind, I'm just about to realize a life's ambition and buy a Ferrari!!

[johnEuk]

- BIG gearbox tunnel in those cars BEN. Makes blow-jobs a bit compromised - but Hey!... Enjoy

[Ben Dover]

I'm sure I'll cope!!