Register Hardware

Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/21/judge_okays_bbfc_manhunt_appeal/

Censor to challenge Manhunt 2 release in court

By Tony Smith
Published Friday 21st December 2007 15:09 GMT

A judge has granted the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) a full court hearing for its argument that controversial videogame Manhunt 2 should not be released in this country.

Mr Justice Wyn Williams also suspended the Video Appeals Committee (VAC) ruling that the game should be given a certificate, allowing it to go on sale in the UK legally.

The VAC made that decision (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/11/manhunt_video_appeals_committee/) earlier this month after Manhunt 2 developer Rockstar challenged (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/11/rockstar_fights_manhunt2_bbfc_ban/) the BBFC's refusal to certify the game.

In the UK, games must be given an age-suitability certificate before they can be sold. The certificate indicates the age groups retailers are permitted to sell a title too. Selling a game to a buyer who's younger than the certificate indicates is an offense.

Earlier this week, the BBFC said it would appeal against the VAC ruling (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/17/bbfc_to_appeal_manhunt_ruling/). Following today's judgement, the censor will be able to challenge the VAC's decision in the English High Court.

The BBFC believes Manhunt 2 shouldn't be released, even to people aged 18 or more, because of the risk it will fall into the hands of young kids. Rockstar told the court today it admits the game isn't suitable for children, but that it believes it is appropriate for an adult audience.

The case is set to come to court before the end of January 2008.