Consumer Protection BC issues licenses for the motion picture and video industry based on the requirements of the Motion Picture Act and the Motion Picture Act Regulations.

Definitions

The following types of activities require a licence:

• "Motion picture distributor" means a person who distributes a film to a proprietor, lessee, manager or employee of a theatre or who contracts respecting films with any of those persons or with any other motion picture distributor, but does not include the government of British Columbia or Canada;
• "Video distributor" means a person who distributes films to a video retailer or to another video distributor;
• "Video retailer" means a person who distributes films to any person;
• "Adult film distributor" means a person who distributes adult films to an adult film retailer or to another adult film distributor;
• "Adult film retailer" means a person who distributes adult films to the public, but does not include an adult film distributor; and
• "Theatre" includes a hall, building, premises, room or place, including an open air place commonly known as a "drive-in theatre", where motion pictures are exhibited to the public.

"Film" is defined as photographic film, pre-recorded video tapes, pre-recorded video discs or video games and includes any other object or device on or within which there is recorded, by photographic, electronic or other means, the contents of a motion picture, and from which, by the use of a projector, machine or other appropriate technology, the motion picture may be viewed, exhibited or projected.

Questions?

Please contact our Licensing Department.