Is there anyone else who actually LIKES the European/Australian ratings logos?

[McCrutchy]

I thought I'd open this to debate here, as I see forum members complaining time and time again about the European and Australian ratings logos on the front covers of their releases.

I guess I'll be one of the first to say that (aside from the newer, large square German FSK logos, which do kind of irritate me), I really like having the ratings symbols and logos on the box. I feel as though it gives my collection a sense of worldliness, and I really don't care if a standard picture jacket is "obstructed" by one as I've never been so fascinated by a release's cover art to feel the need to complain about a logo that's over part of it.

Does anyone else feel like it's kind of a cool thing to do or am I the only one?

[koontz1973]

Being English, I am so used to them that I never see them. It does make it so much easier when choosing a film for the kids though and that is probably the only time that I do look at them.

[pro-bassoonist]

I prefer the simple yet very elegant coverwork French distributors use -- typically, the original festival posters or classic posters (René Chateau Vidéo), etc.

I dislike the large Australian and German logos. In fact, in the past I've bought a number of Italian films (SDVD), which I could have imported from Australia (Madman and Roadshow have many unique titles), precisely because I don't like the logos.

The logos should be on a disposable wrapper, not on the actual coverwork.

Pro-B

[KubrickFan]

I still don't understand these ratings can't be just on the back of the cover, like the American releases have. I'm only glad that the pictures used aren't as big as the Australian ones. I made the mistake of ordering one BD from Australia, and after that you're glad the Dutch (and English too, can't compare with the German or French releases) logos are so small.

[HumanMedia]

In answer to the original posters question - No.

[USiT]

No

[Mahatma]

Don't care either way as long as they are not imbeded on the movie

[P@t_Mtl]

As long as they don't show up on the movie I don't care where they appear on the case.

[Socko]

I hate them

twice on the front, twice on the side and twice on the back.
6 times! Utter nonsense.

I was surprised that Taken only had one (the red one) on each side.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

I still don't understand these ratings can't be just on the back of the cover, like the American releases have. I'm only glad that the pictures used aren't as big as the Australian ones. I made the mistake of ordering one BD from Australia, and after that you're glad the Dutch (and English too, can't compare with the German or French releases) logos are so small.

The only logo on a French release would be a small circle with a minus sign and either a '12' a '16' or an '18'. As I understand it they are only on the back covers of releases.

Originally Posted by Socko

I hate them

twice on the front, twice on the side and twice on the back.
6 times! Utter nonsense.

I was surprised that Taken only had one (the red one) on each side.

You're referring to the UK '18' certificate which was applied to the Extended Cut of Taken?

That's because the BBFC and the IFCO (Irish Film Censor's Office) don't always share a release, the IFCO logo is a blue (hex?)agon.

EDIT: Poll added to thread.

[Ataneruo]

I almost didn't go for the recent UK Bourne Trilogy deal solely because I display my box sets and the annoying logo sticks out like a sore thumb, especially when compared to the other box sets on the shelf. In the end the deal was too good to pass up, but man was it close...

[Pyoko]

Of course I don't like them, but I don't mind the British/Irish ones, they don't factor into my purchase decisions. The Australian and German ones on the other hand are just terrible. Fortunately I don't see myself ever needing to get any releases from either of those regions, and usually they're ridiculously expensive anyway.

[Rhettroactive]

Ehh, I could live without them, and don't really care for them.

But if it means getting the blu-ray you want versus not, then smile and realize you got what you wanted at a minor (additional) cost.

[Clark Kent]

As an American, they look awful. Why couldn't they be placed on the back of the packaging? Are these logos really helping anyone being on the front?

[LordCrumb]

Australian Logos: I hate them, but they have been around (not necessarily in that design) since VHS came about, so its not like its going to change. They could be way smaller, but the content advisory description is always changing to include different stuff;

"some scenes may scare small children" is the funniest one I have read.

In regard to New Zealand, we have large stickers that go over the top of the Aussie rating, as it can sometimes be slightly different. They are held on with superglue and you can vary rarely get them off. Only when its a tin case or plastic sleeve you can peel them off, but then your still stuck with the aussie logos. Sometimes they dont even bother trying to put them on straight, or try not to cover any image or text.

[steve_dave]

US releases have the ratings on the back because they are voluntary ratings. A movie doesn't have to legally be rated in the US for distributon.

In the UK and Australia, its different. The censor boards in these countries require all films to be given a certificate or classification before sale. Even the so called "extended editions" are given a certificate and no video is labeled unrated.

In regards to the UK...the BBFC's website talks about the Video Recordings Act of 1984:

This Act requires all 'video works' (films, TV programmes, video games, etc) which are supplied on a disc, tape or any other device capable of storing data electronically to be classified by the BBFC, unless they fall within the definition of an exempted work.

BBFC.co.uk > FAQs > What effect has leglislation had on BBFC standards

And in regards to the video packaging, the VPRC will not accept DVD or Blu-ray Disc artwork that is missing the certificates (U, 12, 12a, etc.):

The category symbols are missing. If the final category of the video or DVD is not yet known then the most likely category should be represented and then changed as appropriate in accordance with the undertaking entered into on signing the submission form.

BBFC.co.uk > customers > process > packaging

Finally a link to the VHS/DVD labeling requirements for the UK which have carried over to Blu-ray Disc:

VHS/DVD Labelling Requirements Advice

For Australia:

In Australia, it is a legal requirement that films, computer games and some publications be classified before sale.

Classification policy

[Eidolon]

It used to be bad enough having the BBFC logos plastered on every side of the VHS/DVD, but when out of laziness, the companies started sticking Irish certificates on as well, it got even worse.
I actually import a lot simply to get away from the certificates.

[TM2-Megatron]

Personally I hate the very thought of logos like this actually being printed as part of the cover art, and for the most part it would definitely stop me buying certain releases (though I don't import, so it hardly matters to me).

I don't get why it can't just be a sticker, though; or printed on the back if it absolutely must be on there permenantly. Do they think people are so stupid and helpless that they'll go and buy Kill Bill for their children if there isn't a massive logo taking up half of the front cover?

Thankfully the Canadian Home Video Rating logo is usually ridiculously tiny, and kept to the back of the packaging.

[Harry88]

I don't mind them at all. Its an easy way to tell what is an Australian release and not an import.

[GGX]

Originally Posted by Socko

I hate them

twice on the front, twice on the side and twice on the back.
6 times! Utter nonsense.

I was surprised that Taken only had one (the red one) on each side.

Don't forget on the damn disc itself!