Video / DVD
The advent of videos at the beginning of the 1980's gave rise to a debate similar to that in the early years of the century, in particular about the possibly harmful effect of such films on young people. Over the years this debate, among other things, has led to…

• Voluntary advance examination of videos intended for sale or hire to the public. This option is used as a precaution against the risk of prosecution, since charges can be brought against films that have not been examined, on the grounds of "unlawful depictions of violence". Advance examination is compulsory only the case of videos shown at public entertainments.
• A regional supervisory organization that reports to the SBB monitors compliance with these rules and works to ensure that unlawful depictions of violence disappear from the market.

Video distributors can submit their films to the SBB if they choose to do so. If such a film is approved, the distributor cannot subsequently be charged under the provision of the Swedish penal code relating to unlawful depictions of violence.

Unlawful depictions of violence are defined in the penal code as "depictions of sexual violence or coercion, or explicit or protracted scenes of severe violence, unless this is justified in view of the particular circumstances". The unlawful act in this connection is the distribution of such depictions, whether deliberate or through negligence.

Unlawful depictions of violence
The Office of the Chancellor of Justice has the exclusive right to prosecute anyone on grounds of unlawful depictions of violence, since this is a criminal offence under the the Swedish Freedom of Expression Act. Such proceedings are jury trials - which have proved to be quite a rare phenomenon in.

The provisions of the previous Video Violence Act have now been incorporated in Chapter 16, Section 10, of the penal code as follows:

"It is a criminal offence to depict sexual violence or coercion, or explicit or protracted severe violence to people or animals in photographs or in films, videograms, television programmes or other moving pictures, with the intention of distributing such pictures or such depictions, unless this is justified in view of the particular circumstances."

When charges are brought against a distributor or retailer, the SBB must notify the Office of the Chancellor of Justice of its assessment in the case. Charges cannot be brought in the case of films that have been previously approved by the SBB.

Sale or rentalof videos containing unlawful depictions of violence can result in severe penalties: company fines up to three million SEK or imprisonmentmfor up to two years.

Furthermore, sale or rental of videos containing realistic depictions of violence to children under the age of 15 is a criminal offence.