The BPI is updating its Parental Advisory Scheme to help ensure that parents and consumers are informed before streaming or downloading songs or videos that contain explicit content on UK digital music and music video services.
The Parental Advisory Scheme for record labels and retailers in the UK has been operated by the BPI since 1995. It already applies to music or video content on physical formats that may be considered offensive or unsuitable for children, including the use of strong language or depictions of sex or violence.
The BPI’s updated Parental Advisory Scheme will stipulate that UK digital music retailers and streaming services should clearly display the internationally-recognised Parental Advisory logo or the word ‘EXPLICIT’ alongside any music or video files flagged as containing explicit content.
Some digital music stores already flag explicit content, while others do not. Most audio and video streaming services have not yet implemented a parental guidance system. The BPI believes that consumers will benefit from consistent labelling across all music formats.
The Parental Advisory logo will continue to be displayed prominently on physical products like CD, vinyl, and DVD, where appropriate. In addition, for physical video products, including DVD and Blu-Ray, record companies already comply where relevant with the classification system under the Video Recordings Act 1984.
Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive, said, “We think it is important for parents to get the same standards of guidance and information online as they get when buying CDs or DVDs on the high street. We are updating our Parental Advisory Scheme for the digital age to ensure that explicit songs and videos are clearly labelled, giving parents the ability to identify material that may not be appropriate for their children.”
Most record companies already flag digital files with ‘metadata’ indicating whether songs or videos contain explicit content. The new Parental Advisory Scheme will help standardise this practice across the industry.
Entertainment retailers and digital service providers have welcomed the move.
Kim Bayley, Director General of the Entertainment Retailers Association, said, “Retailers work at the sharp end of the entertainment industry and are keen to be able to provide accurate information so that customers can make informed choices about their purchases. We welcome the BPI’s decision to update its labelling advice for parents.”
“At VEVO, we absolutely believe in artists’ rights to fully express themselves creatively, but we also think it is important to inform parents and consumers about any music video content that may not be suitable for young children,” said Rio Caraeff, President and CEO, VEVO. “The BPI’s Parental Advisory Scheme for music videos online is a great solution for parents, digital services and music companies.”
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
BPI contact:
Adam Liversage on 020 7803 1326 / 0780 1179032 or email
adam.liversage@bpi.co.uk
About BPI
The BPI is the representative voice of the UK recorded music business. The BPI is a trade organisation funded by its members - which include hundreds of independent music companies and the UK’s four major record labels. The BPI’s members account for approximately 90% of all recorded music sold in the UK, and globally the UK's recorded music market is the third biggest.
The BPI also organises the annual BRIT Awards show as well as the Classic BRIT Awards show. The organising company, BRIT Awards Limited, is a fully owned subsidiary of the BPI. Substantial proceeds from both shows go to the BRIT Trust, the charitable arm of the BPI that has donated almost £15m to charitable causes nationwide since its foundation in 1989.