Simple question: "Is this picture PG?"
Answer: No.
Why?
Because PG is a registered trademark of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Pfeh. La-dee-frickin-da. I mean, everybody uses that term, right?
Well, not really. According to the MPAA, the CARA determines if something merits a PG rating:
The ratings of motion pictures are determined by the rating board of the Classification and Rating Administration (“CARA”), which includes a Chairperson, a Vice-Chair, several Senior Raters and additional raters who all participate in the rating of individual motion pictures. The ratings are based on the level of certain content in the motion picture in order to provide parents with information to help them determine each film’s suitability for viewing by their children. CARA attempts to select a diverse group of raters who represent the diversity of American parents such as parents from different parts of the country, including small towns and big cities. Each member of the rating board is a parent and has no affiliation with the entertainment industry outside their employment with CARA.
But that pertains to movies, not photos, right? If it's not a movie, that term can be used as... um... what's the word... common usage?
Let's check the board... survey says: No.
The G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17 ratings were established for rating motion pictures and may only be used in connection with motion pictures that have been rated by CARA. Other entertainment, such as television shows and video games, are rated by other entities, with different rating designations, also in an effort to provide parents information about those entertainment media that may be viewed by their children. While the goals are similar, the ratings used for movies are not, and may not be, used for anything other than motion pictures rated by CARA.
The photo's not a movie rated by CARA, so you can't rate it PG.
Wait... hold on a second...
If the PG rating legally can't be used for this photograph or anything besides the movies rated by CARA, then how is it that region simulators/islands within a certain virtual world can be designated as a "PG" rating by the region simulator/island owners as an option provided by the company running that certain virtual world?
Um... er...
Beats the hell out of me.
Comments (3)
and here i was wondering if i could scrounge up some crackers and cheese.
Posted by radar | April 24, 2008 5:20 PM
Posted on April 24, 2008 17:20
the actual PTO registration for "RATED PG" is here:
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=bu1hn0.4.213
Trademarks only work for a segment of the market, and there are actually many hit's on "PG" they specified MOTION PICTURES as the sphere that they are registering this in:
"IC B . US B . G & S: CERTIFICATION OF THE CONTENT OF ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES RENDERED THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF MOTION PICTURES. FIRST USE: 19720200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19720200"
Although makes pictures that move, I don't believe it can be classed as a "motion picture".
I think you may have parsed the MPAA's statement wrong here:
"the ratings used for movies are not, and may not be, used for anything other than motion pictures rated by CARA."
IOW: Only the MPAA has the right to use these in relation to rating Movies, but I can use it for computer software (actually someone else registered that one, but abandoned it). Trademark is tricky, since it's the most amorphous of the generally sketchy trio of copyright, patent and trademark.
of course IANAL and MBTOMA. Seek legal counsel for real advise. Your milage may vary, tax, title and license extra, void where prohibited.
(may not be legal in the state of Vermont)
Posted by Kaklick Martin | April 25, 2008 9:13 AM
Posted on April 25, 2008 09:13
Maybe the Lindens should switch over to the video game industry ratings - it would make sense since they are more closer to the video game industry even though they claim they are not a game. (Are they claiming they are a movie with the PG rating?)
EC - Early Childhood (3+)
E - Everyone (6+)
E10+ - Everyone (10+)
T - Teens (13+)
M - Mature (17+)
A - Adults Only (18+)
RP - Rating Pending
And then you have your other additions for Sexual Content, Violence, Mature Humor, Comic Mischief, etc. All newly purchased parcels on the mainland would get a default - RP until the new owner would make a decision.
http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp
Posted by Dedric Mauriac | April 25, 2008 9:54 AM
Posted on April 25, 2008 09:54