Law Summary
Scope of Fees and Transactions
- Fees apply to all producers, importers, exporters, distributors, blocktimers, post-production studios/laboratories, theaters, and television stations.
- Covers issuance and renewal of permits to exhibit films or television programs.
- Includes costs related to use of MTRCB equipment for reproduction and certification.
Administrative Penalties Framework
- Penalties are applied on a graduated scale: first offense, second offense, and third offense.
- Penalties include suspensions, closures, revocations, confiscations, and prohibitions from applying for permits.
Offenses and Corresponding Penalties
Operating without a valid certificate or permit:
- First offense: 1 month closure (theater/TV station), 6 months suspension and confiscation for print/program owner.
- Second offense: 6 months closure, 1 month suspension & confiscation.
- Third offense: Revocation, 1 year closure, permanent prohibition.
Illegal insertions or tampering with film prints:
- Similar escalating penalties involving suspension, closure, revocation, and permanent prohibition.
Tampering or using tampered permits to exhibit:
- Penalties include suspensions, confiscations, closures, and revocation.
Admission of minors to restricted films:
- Closure penalties escalating from 1 month to revocation and 1 year closure.
Exhibition/display of unapproved or disapproved publicity materials:
- Suspensions, confiscation, theater closures, and permanent prohibitions apply.
Non-display of parental guidance in TV programs:
- Suspensions and confiscations for program producers, increasing to permanent prohibition.
Incorrect or non-printing of classification in advertisements:
- Suspensions and prohibitions for owners of printed materials.
Non-posting of permit to exhibit (PTE):
- Theater penalties escalate from 1 month closure to revocation and 1 year closure.
Refusal to admit MTRCB representatives:
- Similar theater penalties as non-posting of PTE.
Non-posting of standee in theater lobbies:
- Closures ranging from 10 days to 90 days depending on offense count.
Export/import of film without permit:
- Prohibition periods starting at 6 months, increasing to 1 year and then permanent.
Key Legal Concepts
- The MTRCB regulates film and television content, exhibition, and related materials through permits and fees.
- Enforcement is ensured through administrative penalties which progressively increase for repeated violations.
- Protection of minors is emphasized with specific penalties for admission violations.
- Proper classification and parental guidance display are mandated for TV programs.
- Compliance with registration and permit posting is crucial for lawful operation.
- Confiscation of unauthorized materials and prohibition from future permits serve as deterrents.
This schedule of fees and penalties aims to uphold regulatory standards in Philippine film and television industries while safeguarding public interest and compliance with classification rules.