INFORMATION BULLETIN
Consumer Protection BC
Ministry of Justice

{June 7, 2012} VICTORIA – After consulting with movie theatre owners, associations and motion picture distributors, Consumer Protection BC is pleased to announce changes to the way they reclassify films that were previously classified and no longer have a distributor – otherwise known as ‘orphaned’ films.

Effective June 7, 2012, orphaned films will no longer have to go through the reclassification process. Instead, any theatre intending to exhibit an exact copy of a BC-classified film that no longer has a distributor will simply complete and submit a form to Consumer Protection BC in advance of their screening at no cost to the business.

In the past, a theatre intending to exhibit a previously classified orphaned film may have had to obtain a distribution licence and submit their copy for reclassification. This is no longer the case.

Working within the Motion Picture Act, Consumer Protection BC consulted with stakeholders to find a solution to simplify the process for businesses while ensuring consumers continue to receive accurate and reliable classification information.

The policy regarding movies that change film format (such as from 35 mm to digital film) or transfer distributors has not changed. Reclassification is almost never needed in these cases.

To view Consumer Protection BC’s new policy in full please visit www.filmratingsbc.ca. For more information on film classification in general, you can also contact Consumer Protection BC toll-free at 1 888 564-9963.

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