Who classifies music?

The classification of music is quite different to the classification of films, DVDs, books and magazines.

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) doesn't deal with music, only with the visual or computer game component that some CDs include. That's why you might see a OFLC rating label on a CD occasionally. It's not the devil music or the anti-social lyrics that's being rated, it's the audio-visual material that's also on the disc or the DVD bonus disc.

In the Australian music scene, there is a Recorded Music Labelling Code of Practice, administered by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA). It is they, and their members, who apply the warnings and restrictions to music sold in Australia. In this scheme, it is the lyrics that are being rated.

As with DVDs, videos, books and magazines, if you don't the rating, don't complain to us. If you are concerned about the rating of a music CD you should contact AMRA, but first check the details of the code and the list of labeled titles.

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If a CD come to us with a Restricted label, we will only issue it to adults.

And no, we don't treat the Beatles with burning love anymore!

harps