Following the Video Appeals Committee to allow Rockstar's appeal of the British Board of Film Classification's
Manhunt 2 ratings rejection, the BBFC has announced it is applying for a judicial review of the decision.
The BBFC also seeks a suspension of the committee's decision that
Manhunt 2 should receive a classification, saying the VAC's judgment "is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act."
After the BBFC's
initial refusal to issue a rating on the game, Rockstar announced it
would appeal the decision; it later suspended the appeal pending the BBFC's consideration of a revised version of the game, which was then
also rejected. Recently, the VAC
decided to overturn the BBFC's decision to deny the game a rating.
The BBFC claims the judgment as it stands "would have fundamental implications" on all of its ratings decisions, including those that hinge on questions of "unacceptable levels of violence." Achieving a suspension of the VAC's decision would stall a classification for
Manhunt 2 pending a judgment of the High Court.
