egafd.com

Most of us are aware that Customs follow the bbfc guidlines for r18 (the bbfc in turn use an outdated and IMHO probably unlawfull definition of "current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act (although they do shy away if asked to back up these interpretations with recent cases where convictions have occured)when deciding what is fit for importation.

Well we are all aware that HM C&E take a dim view of watersports, fisting, SM, bondage etc. They also, rightfully so, dislike the scenarios in Max Hardcore films where he has a model dressed like a child, sucking her thumb and saying things like "please mister dont. That hurts" while Max says "shut up you little cunt-hole". I understand why that sort of scene makes people uncomfortable as it would appeal to kiddy-fiddlers (cant spell Peter File at this time of night).

However it is also worth remembering when ordering from the USA that BBFC guidlines also prohibit the very mention of underage sex. So all those US gonzo films where the girl is asked "how old were you the first time?" are likely to be seized by customs as the girls nearly always say 14 or 12 in the case of one recent film I saw. It is not for me to comment on the issue of underage sex as we all see the figures on the news about schoolgirls getting pregnant but I wonder if C&E can tell the difference between a film that pruriently dwells on this issue or one where the girl gives an honest answer and the producer quickly moves on to another subject. I am aware that both C&E and the police are not very good at making reasoned decisions as they are only capable of following (and bending) the rules.

You're asking the Authorities to have a sense of proportion: not very likely,as we all know.......

It depends if the C+E lad takes a shine to it and decides to keep it I guess. What I always wonder is if the C+E employees are moralistic middle classed conservative christians, or horny red blooded males who didn't land their job by accident.

When it comes to underage sex in porn videos, I don't really see the need to include what age the performer lost her virginity (what does that add exactly?) but you're right to point out that there is a world of difference between honestly answering a question and acting out a paedophilic fantasy ala Max Hardcore.

You hit the nail on the head when it comes to the law, and this is the root issue. It's 2002 and we're still relying on a group of stranger's interpretations on a fundamentaly subjective phrase to decide what's "good for us to watch". The OPA's days are surely numbered. We're one of the most heavily censored countries in the world - in the UK we can't produce and distribute material made by consenting adults for consenting adults without people who assume a higher moral position declaring it 'wrong'.

Incidentally, I know owning (without intention for gain) is legal, but companies like Your Choice and UK based dispatch groups must have surely had to smuggle the masters in at some point, and where does the Royal Mail act regarding 'obscenity through the post' come in?


Matt

Sshhhh! Matt this has been something I have been aware of for ages but chose not to mention it for fear of the Blue Meanies using it as on more stick to beat us with. Your quite right the Post Office Act 1953 (or was it 55?) dictates that it is illegal for any person to post an obscene item in the UK. Furthermore it also states that it is an offence to post an INDECENT item through the post. If anyone wants to know the difference then let me know as I might bore everyone to death otherwise. The Po Act is actually quite amusing because amongst the list of things which are illegal to post are human bodys(or parts thereof) and human filth or detritus of any kind (which makes Davey S a crim if he wasnt already).

It is interesting though that this Act has not been used for years exept in the cases of stalking by mail where some arsehole sent an ex-girlfreind porn in the post. Its been used where dead animals have been sent etc but AFAIK not for porn in normal circumstances. And to make it even more complicated "obscene" is different to "indecent".

The Your Choice agents (and any other UK despatch co.) still run the risks. However the Your Choice agents who were jailed in the 90`s were charged under the much more serious offence of Conspiracy to Distribute. As any policeman, criminal or lawyer will be aware once you add the word conspiracy to any offence it triples the prison term i.e. theft=3 months BUT conspiracy to steal=18 months.

Oh! You have all fallen asleep. Sorry.

No, I'm still awake. Fascinating, and slightly scary.
3x3=9 (triple); 3x6=18 (sextuple), surely?

What a mastermind(slightly drunk),believe it or not!!!

cheers
B..oz

Nothing is obscene. It has to be judged to be obscene. Are previous cases a precedent? To say something is legally obscene involves a civil trial? Guidelines aren't a law.

Don't you just like it when some bright-spark from HM C&E says "Excuse me Sir - Do you have anything to declare" when you have just got off the plane from a few days in Amsterdam. Why me and not any of the other persons off the same flight. This trip I had brought a selection of approx 18 DVD and 4 Vids ranging from Ben, through Private to some American Classics from the 80's and two or three Swedish Erotica compilation tapes also from their 80's loops. So I had to empty my bags etc. and watch whilst HM C&E examined everything. One thing that I noticed during the search was they paid less attention to any DVD or tape that was still in a shrink wrapping other than to check the title. They paid more attention to disks and tapes without the wrapping. I got the impression that they were examining the disks and tapes to check that the original producers label was intact and had not been replaced by another label. In conversation, the Officers in fact confirmed that some tapes had been seized when there was doubt about the original labeling irrespective of content. The well known phrases like - consentual sex, etc. etc. where bandied about. Fortunately, after about 10 - 15 minutes of searching and chat they left me to repack.

Maths was never my best subject.

When I took math in my final year I scored 100%

maths1 55 plus maths2 45 = 100% (lol)

cheers
B...Oz