From Hatfield to Maidenhead the road to a Classification Frameworkthe story so far

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From Hatfield to Maidenhead the road to a
Classification Frameworkthe story so far

• An Independent Mobile Classification Body
  presentation
• Paul Whiteing, Project Director, IMCB
• Hutchinson 3G, Star House, Maidenhead
• 15th December 2004

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What this presentation will cover

• A quick reminder of the who, what and why of
  IMCB
• Role/remit reminder
• Disputes and complaints
• The creation of a Classification Framework
  Update and feedback
• Next steps From Maidenhead to Maguire Street,
  SE1

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The who, what and why of IMCB

• Appointed by the MOs as part of their commitment
  in the Code of Practice for New Content Services
• A body created through contract with the 6 MOs
• A non-profit making company
• 6 Board members drawn from ICSTIS Committee
• Separate funding from ICSTIS

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IMCB remit A reminder

• Commercial content in remit
• Still pictures
• Video and audio video material
• Mobile games
• Not in remit, but subject to ICSTIS regulation if
  PRS
• Text services
• Gambling
• Audio and voice services only
• Moderated/Unmoderated chat
• Location Based Services
• Consumer generated content

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What IMCB will do

• IMCB will
• Provide an independent Classification Framework
  for content deemed as inappropriate to those
  under 18. Existing Standards will be followed
  where possible.
• Deal with disputes arising from disagreements
  about the classification of content
• Provide a non-binding classification advice
  service to content providers who need assistance
  when classifying content

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What IMCB will NOT do

• IMCB will not
• Be a regulator enforcing any mis-classification
  by content providers
• Classifying individual items of content
• In the first instance deal with general
  complaints from the public
• Determining how MOs go about implementing access
  controls for their customers

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IMCB and the public

• IMCB will not be an overtly public-facing body
• Consumers with complaints about new content and
  classification should resolve their problem with
  their MO
• Where MOs cannot resolve the dispute, or the
  complaint is about how IMCB has set the
  Framework, then the complaint should be passed to
  IMCB for investigation

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Disputes, complaints and appeals

• Classification disputes will be handled by the
  MO and their commercial partner
• If agreement not reached then IMCB will rule on
  the interpretation of its Framework
• Decisions of IMCB are subject to an appeal by an
  independent appeal body

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Creating the first Classification Framework

• The context to its creation
• MO draft interim framework issued earlier in 2004
• Need to ensure, where possible, that the
  Framework is consistent with other classification
  bodies
• Framework will group 18 content by theme, sex,
  nudity, violence, horror, drugs, language and
  imitable techniques
• Feedback input from commercial stakeholders at
  this event and others I have attended recently

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The IMCB Guide and Classification Framework

• General overview
• Classification Framework general advice
• Classification Framework specific requirements
• Handling complaints and disputes
• Appeal arrangements
• Definitions and meanings

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Classification Framework Specific requirements

• If rated 18 or R18 by an agreed body and if
  certain content listed by the following
  sub-categories then content must be 18
• Theme
• Language
• Sex
• Nudity
• Violence
• Drugs
• Horror
• Imitable techniques

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Project timelines

• Create company
• Feedback from content providers by 500pm
  Tuesday 21 December on specific Classification
  Framework requirements
• Set/agree the Classification Framework
• Create user-friendly website
• Set up management systems
• Employ and train staff
• Open for business in mid-January 2005

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Thank you and questions

• Paul Whiteing
• Project Director, IMCB