egafd.com

Having been messed about by legal eagles for quite some time, I have now launched a private action in the Court of Human Rights. This is to question the right of the BBFC to stipulate how I may sell my videos, specifically the restriction on mail-order. I have declared that in my opinion, this constraint does not fall within the province of the VRA.

How long it may take to get a reply etc, I have no idea but am well stocked up on scotch in case of a lengthy seige.

Hi

What is the VRA?

Should you be poting this? I mean could posting this affect your case.

I think I read it takes 6 months if not longer to go to the EU courts.

I belive (it has probably been said before) that private took the UK to court as they said that they bought a licence to sell films in the EU and as England was in the EU it had the right to sell in the UK. I think this is why R18 is now being sold in the UK.

Good luck, but I would guess it would be one of the big boys such as private who would have the most power and the money behind them to change things.

Allan

Must go now with the dog.

A recent post pointed out that the restriction is against OBSCENE material through the post, and since by definition R18 is deemed not to be such, the ban would surely be illogical and illegal.
I would assume your success, as long as your patience/bank balance/Scotch don't run out.

Best of luck, Marcus.

Nice one Marcus. As I'm sure you are already aware you have my complete moral support in this matter - and if trade picks up, maybe some financial support as well.

If the restriction on UK distributed adult video was lifted we could simply bypass the industry harming closed shop that today?s sex shop proprietors enjoy and the punters would be able to say to shop owners "fuck yer crap American videos that you paid $300.00 for the rights to sell. We're sending off for Marcus Allen's, Remington Steel's, One Eyed Jack's movies, etc." I don't believe that it would make all that much financial difference to Brit producers as most of the punters who actually want to buy their stuff are already doing so through one channel, or another. But it would be really nice to wipe the smug grin off the faces of those sex shop tossers who are taking the piss!


Officer Dibble.

i suspect it's as much a point of principle with marcus, as a straight forward business manoeuvre.

why should those operating within the industry, such as yourself, have to endure an unfair restraint of trade, when it's a perfectly legitimate business? anything that might improve the current grotesque situation, has to be worth the doing.

please keep us up to date with matters as they progress, marcus and the best of luck to you.

If you need contributions please post. I'm sure a lot of people would be willing to help - me for one.

Thanks fevrd. Not necessary at this time, we'll have to see how matters progress
Woody, you are correct as usual.

Thats excellent news Marcus, we wish you well with
your action.

Presumably a barrister has advised you that you have an arguable case, but it seems like a very long shot to me.

The restrictions on the sale of R18s (to be sold in licensed sex shops only) are contained in the VRA itself, and not decided by the BBFC. The only way to challenge the restrictions would be to argue that the VRA infringes your human rights (freedom of expression, presumably).

Personally, I think the VRA DOES infringe the right to free expression in a big way, but hardcore porn is just about the worst example to use to argue the case!