The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is threatening to sue the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) for copying their current rating board for the classification of videogames. The new system proposed by the ELSPA is supposed to give parents a quick and easy reference on the appropriateness of a particular video game though a series of colored symbols.

The ELSPA-BBFC battle rages on. After getting hammered once again by the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has fired back and announced that it "rejects ELSPA's claims".

And the war against BBFC wages on. Are they really fit to rate video games, considering their system is built on movie ratings? ELSPA boss Paul Jackson spells things out for everyone: he says the BBFC isn't fit to rate video games anymore, and that PEGI would do a better job at it.

The recent Byron report released in Europe gave the different classification groups in the region something to think about. Despite advocating a medium between both the BBFC and PEGI rating systems, ELSPA had its own opinion regarding the matter by favoring the PEGI Age Rating System as the sole classification system for video games in Europe. Find out the reason behind this by reading our full article after the jump.

In her efforts to make the public aware of video game content and classification ratings, Dr. Tanya Byron had a few things to say about how critics should be in the scene. The psychologist and author of Byron Review believes the industry should be talking to increase awareness of game content. For more details, head on over to the full article.

Possibly driven by media's focus on violence in video games, the UK government has launched a six months-long review on the gaming industry. Psychologist Tanya Byron will be heading the project, with the cooperation of UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (Elspa).

Although Elspa will lend a hand to the reviewing effort, its chairman Paul Jackson still has some misgivings about the project, saying:

I think the video games industry is this year's whipping boy. Too often we are blamed for everything from obesity to youth violence it is just not true and it's not appropriate. We are a very important British industry and we are very responsible keen to ensure that our products are only played by those who they are designed for.

Margaret Robinson, former editor of Edge Magazine believes that there's no more need for legislation against the gaming industry, saying that it holds higher standards that the film industry. "This is a solved problem," she said.

Nevertheless, the leading figures of gaming have positive outlook on what the review will yield. Said Jackson:

We feel quite positively about this review. It's clear the review is about making sure parents are properly informed about what their youngsters are playing and what they are accessing on the internet.

Fresh off the news that Manhunt 2 was essentially banned in the UK, the director general of the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (ELSPA) also made known their thoughts on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) ruling, saying that the recent banning proves that UK's game ratings system works.

According to Paul Jackson, ELSPA's director general, "A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well." He continues, "Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment."

Jackson also noted that the games industry is despite this one ruling, the games industry is still one that makes games for everyone. "The important thing to know," he says, "is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has praised the British creative community for having contributed to the nation's culture and for consistently being the strength that drives Britain to strive for a better way of life.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) welcomed the words of the Prime Minister and  commended all the industries in its jurisdiction, including the fast-rising game industry.

"The games industry is a proud member of these industries. The talent and creativity that our industry houses and nurtures is what makes the games industry a part of Britain's cultural heritage, and more specifically, an important asset in Britain's creative and cultural future," said Paul Jackson, Director General of the ELSPA.

Jackson emphasized that the gaming scene in his country continues to grow and as it does, more positive ideas are associated with it, all the while dispelling negative beliefs regarding the field. He also added that British games are among the best and most successful franchises in the world and are posting strong finances to give a significant contribution to the economy.

To date, the British game industry employs over 25,000 people, professional or otherwise. The appeal of games is spreading and transcending age barriers and Jackson happily concludes "we welcome the Prime Minister’s view that games are very much part of creative Britain both culturally and economically and look forward to his continued support."