Byron Review response

Brussels, 27 March 2008 – ISFE, the Interactive Software Federation of Europe, today welcomed the Byron Review as it provides an opportunity to further the ongoing dialogue between industry and policy makers to determine the best protections for minors when choosing interactive content.

ISFE reiterated its deep commitment to the pan-European game rating system, PEGI, and its full responsibility to provide the public with the best information to make appropriate content choices when purchasing videogames.

The Review’s proposed measures can now be studied with a view to the challenges inherent in implementing a new, single-nation regime, both in terms of consumer awareness and in terms of complexity for content providers. The appropriateness of a divisive system in combination with the UK’s film ratings board will be of equal importance in the discussions.

Patrice Chazerand, Secretary General of ISFE, said, “Dr Byron has conducted a thoughtful and open review, encompassing many points of view. ISFE, PEGI and PEGI Online are fully aligned with the Review’s objective to help parents and their children get the best from new technologies while protecting children from inappropriate or potentially harmful material.”

PEGI is a rating system designed specifically for interactive content by people who best understand that medium. As the European age rating system of reference, PEGI has been serving about 30 European countries including the UK, for the last five years already.

ISFE is committed to its engagement in discussions as they continue with stakeholders in the UK government, and is prepared to start work on an information campaign in partnership with the UK industry to further the awareness of PEGI among parents, retailers and gamers. ISFE looks forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders, and to the shared responsibility for implementing the measures to be determined most beneficial for UK consumers.

About ISFE

Established in 1998 and registered in 2002 under Belgian law as an international association with scientific and pedagogical purposes, ISFE (the Interactive Software Federation of Europe) represents the interests of the interactive software sector throughout the 27 EU Member States plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Today, ISFE membership comprises 13 major publishers of interactive software as well as 13 interactive software trade associations throughout Europe.

ISFE has been running the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system since 2003 (see www.pegi.info and www.pegionline.eu ). PEGI provides an age rating recommendation system intended to inform European parents regarding content that is suitable for their children. As a classification system PEGI supports informed adult choice and does not censor content.

For more information:

Katja Mader

15 rue Guimard

B-1040 Brussels

Tel: + 32 2 513 57 77

e-mail: katja.mader@isfe.eu