ATVOD advice and R18

[The Invader]

Hello

I want to sell pay per clip videos via my own website, mostly 5-15 minute clips.

I'm well aware of ATVOD so as I'm closer to providing video I finally emailed them.

The advisor has said I would be liable to notify, but as I would be the commercial micro-scale option it's not too bad for cost.

She also advised me that any material (photo or video) that would be deemed R18, needs to be provided behind a proper age verification wall. So if I have credit card/CC bill authorisation for such material hopefully that covers that.

However after reading up on the definition of R18 by BBFC, and searching the forums here, and seeing the melon farmers articles on it, I'm not sure which of my content would be liable for R18 and which wouldn't be...

So can some of the wise men of this forum please offer their opinion on the type of material below (assume either photo or video in each case)?

My website is like an online UK top shelf mag with female only models. Mostly solo sets/video but the occasional girl-girl or group girl. Most of my material is no stronger than the first two on the list, but I also have some of the others (or are planning to).

UK mag/open leg
US mag/pink shots
Finger insertions (pussy)
Dildo/vibrator penetration (pussy)
Banana/cucumber penetration (pussy)
Close up shots of spread pussy
Close up shots of spread butt cheeks
Lesbian sex acts (simulated)
Lesbian sex acts (real)

Cheers

[one eyed jack]

R18 would be considered any form of sex where the genitals are on display in an act of sexual congress.

Even solo girl held open or touching in a way designed to stimulate would be classed as R18 Otherwise you can check the website www.bbfc.co.uk and give them a call. They are helpful

[The Invader]

Cheers

So basically it sounds like I'm going to need a proper age verification check to access any R18 photo sets. Whereas I thought I would only need that for my videos.

I was going to offer all my photos free to registered users and only charge for video. But I expect there will be ways of doing it without the user always having to incur a charge.

Something else to investigate and ponder then.

[one eyed jack]

Sorry to say it but I cant claim to be an expert on an organisation that changes its rules like the wind with a broad description designed to confuse and even if your business is off shore is trying to get laws passed to block your payments.

[The Invader]

The ATVOD advisor got back to me again today. They singled out the more explicit ones in my list for mention. However their comments and website info are so woolly that I think I'll just have to be on the safe side and any sets of top shelf mag style upwards gets the credit card authorisation treatment.

I'll maybe have to charge a token ?1 to access each of the explicit photo sets.

[rgb]

If your photos were on a separate site from the videos, ATVOD would have no control over them - it can only have jurisdiction over video sites.
No doubt, however, ATVOD would then try to assert that the two sites were really the same "service provider" and try to control both.
It would make an interesting appeal case - and you could be the guinea pig !wink!

[one eyed jack]

Myles Jackman (Obscenity Lawyer) did say he would defend anyone free of charge if they were prepared to fall on their sword for this

Myles has got a good track record for winning cases ie Michael Peacock. he also works with BacklashUK

[The Invader]

Nice suggestion folks but I'm not in a position to act as a guinea pig. My project isn't worth the hassle to be one anyway.

[one eyed jack]

So why are you doing it? Isnt this way of ATVOD imposing restrictions to your business limiting your earning potential?

Do you believe what they are doing is ultimately for the greater good? Or do you feel obliged to because it is a legal requirement as determined by them?

In fact, if I set up a limited company and told you I was doing the same thing, would you pay me to do this to your business?

My issue with ATVOD is more to do with the fact that it has nothing to do with protecting minors while it allows internet browsers to give it to minors for free via search engines and or does it do anything but just regulate companies and take their money while the problem still persists with the availability of free porn

Being complacent against it only allows the next phase to come in more easily...ISP filter blocking. If the adult industry does nothing about the problem that faces it then it deserves the future of censorship the government is striving for

All this is not for porn. Its for control. Just look at Wiki Leaks and Bradley Manning. Control serves their interests and allows them to invade your privacy...But lets not get ahead of ourselves eh?...Who better to start with than porn? Violence is more acceptable and certainly not psychologically damaging to minors. We might need them as killers one day

[The Invader]

Nothing decided yet, I'm just thinking out loud with my replies. Part of me thinks it's more hassle than it's worth to put my explicit photo content through a credit card validation filter, so I may yet put it in with the other softcore photos as originally planned.

No chance I'd ever get involved in some high profile legal battle, the company I work for day to day know nothing about this project, yet we're supposed to declare what other business interests we have.