Are the BBFC now age restricting albums (UK)?

RJDG14 · 10-10-2017, 02:47 PM

I was looking through new releases when it came to my attention that one of them contains the BBFC's "18" symbol on its cover. To my knowledge, the BBFC only rate video-related content, so I find it weird that the 18 symbol is on the front of this CD:

https://thehippestblog.files.wordpre...2017/10/aj.jpg

Does anybody know why this is the case? Does the album contain an enhanced video section with adult content, have they recently changed their guidelines to cover new music releases (every other new release seems to be BBFC symbol-free), or is it just the artist trying to look cooler by including the symbol (like the Parental Advisory symbol, which is very common on rap/hip-hop releases)? It just seems a little weird since I've never seen an age restricted album before (the Parental Advisory symbol is voluntary and not the same as restricted, since it can't be enforced). The BBFC own the rights to their symbols so any unauthorised use would be both risky and pointless, since retailers in Britain may assume it's enforceable even if it isn't, plus online downloads are currently BBFC-excempt.

10-10-2017, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
RJDG14 Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 157	Are the BBFC now age restricting albums (UK)? I was looking through new releases when it came to my attention that one of them contains the BBFC's "18" symbol on its cover. To my knowledge, the BBFC only rate video-related content, so I find it weird that the 18 symbol is on the front of this CD: https://thehippestblog.files.wordpre...2017/10/aj.jpg Does anybody know why this is the case? Does the album contain an enhanced video section with adult content, have they recently changed their guidelines to cover new music releases (every other new release seems to be BBFC symbol-free), or is it just the artist trying to look cooler by including the symbol (like the Parental Advisory symbol, which is very common on rap/hip-hop releases)? It just seems a little weird since I've never seen an age restricted album before (the Parental Advisory symbol is voluntary and not the same as restricted, since it can't be enforced). The BBFC own the rights to their symbols so any unauthorised use would be both risky and pointless, since retailers in Britain may assume it's enforceable even if it isn't, plus online downloads are currently BBFC-excempt.