Archives of fanfiction on the net have traditionally grouped stories according to rating (i.e. X, R, PG-13, PG, and G), so that everyone knows what to expect before they read a story. But it turns out that their use of the rating system may be illegal. A few fanfiction writers have apparently
begun receiving cease-and-desist notices from the MPAA demanding that they stop using the rating system since it's the intellectual property of the MPAA. The people receiving these notices can hardly believe they're real. And other people are puzzled as well.
Riba Rambles summarizes:
Some are wondering if this isn't a hoax. Not only has this practice [i.e. rating fanfiction] been going on for years without incident, but so far only smallfry individuals have reported receiving notices, rather than major archive sites. Others question the MPAA's legal standing pointing out that the MPAA's trademark specifically states its use for motion pictures, and besides there's no profit in fanfic to go after. Meanwhile, a few people are having fun suggesting useful (and silly) alternate ratings systems.
My guess is that the
cease-and-desist notices are real. As with the
Eiffel Tower copyright issue, it's another example of the strange lengths to which copyright and trademark enforcement are being taken. Or rather, another example of lawyers with nothing better to do.
Comments
I remember a lot of parents not allowing their kids to rent cartoons that had an "NA" rating. I tried to explain that "NA" simply meant that the movie had not been rated by the MPAA, or it pre-dated MPAA rating system. A lot of black & whites have an "NA" rating b/c they were around long before the rating system went into affect.
eX
aRrgh
PeeGee13
PeeGee
Gee
It's still a valid mark in others, e.g. Canada.
See the Wikipedia article.
Carl
"I think that the rating system has lost all morals and try to justify all the scenes of sex and nudity and it is way to easy to allow a person under thirteen to see PG-13 movies.Nudity is now acceptable in PG13-rated movies, as long as it is said to be non-sexual in nature, filmmakers are now free to show men or women totally nude from behind running around doing whatever as long as it is not in a sexual context. The MPAA claims to rate the movies to prevent kids from seeng the "bad stuff" but they rely on kids to buy the movie tickets. Anyone of any age can buy a ticket. If the parents of a 10 year old were to drop him off at the mall and he goes to the theater and asks for a ticket; he will not be denied admittance to a PG-13 film."
Nice rant, Chris. The only problem is that it has almost NOTHING to do with the subject of this thread.
By the way, what's the big deal about a child seeing a naked body? You don't have mirrors around your house?
and i dont understand america's (speaking generally here) horror at nudity. I assume it dates back to the puritan ideals early in the country's history. Or perhaps its the christian influence.. where you're taught that your body is holy and yet also a vile disgusting thing.
also, to clear things up, some 80s movies seem a bit more risque because before 1984 there was only PG and R. Even when PG13 came around (due to Speilberg's Gremlins and the Temple of Doom) PG didnt become really watered down until the mid-90s.
Its strange what the rating system has done to movies.. I love R movies because I feel that the story is less restricted and can be told as originally intended. Some movies are even pegged R or PG13 for adult themes and nothing else, which in my opinion restricts movies that aim for PG in more ways than just language and nudity. I don't mind swearing or nudity violence can sometimes be a way to bring power to a movie than cant be done otherwise (imagine schindler's list without the violence) in any case sometimes I will be watching a PG movie and suddenly hear the word "damn" and I almost feel as though I should be offended simply because it's PG (even though 'damn' is allowed). It's as though I'm inadvertantly searching for something to be outraged about..
anyway i guess what im saying is that ratings are important cus otherwise who could distinguish an innocent kids movie from a splatter fest, but i think the current ratings system is out of date and kids shouldnt watch stuff that gives them nightmares but completely shielding them (to the point where a person's behind is extremely offensive) isnt good for them either. Some of the movies from my childhood that I most remember and hold very dearly were rated PG13 or even R (or equivalent) and they havent turned me into a druggie/slut/serial killer 😛
sorry this turned into more of a comment on the ratings system in general rather than the MPAA's severe ego problem.
and PeeGee so so stupid........
just saying...................
Girl's 16th birthday is forgotten due to the commotion of her older sisters wedding. She gets really p*ssed off, and curses a lot. Basically she goes through a day mad, and has this huge crush on this guy.
NOTE: This movie shouln't be PG due to nudity, cursing, suggested sex, a "sex" test asking questions such as "have you every touched it?" and "Have you every done it?". The movie also has to do with guys paying to see a girl's underwear (a geek gets hold of a pair of girls underwear and uses it to claim he had sex with a girl" This movie also had teenage partying (drinking) and lots of references to sex. Keep the kiddies away, otherwise great movie.