Key Facts

The USK is changing its practice regarding the age rating of games with unconstitutional labels.
The social adequacy clause (Section 86a (3) StGB) can now be taken into account in the assessment.
Games can be given an age rating if they are considered socially appropriate.
Socially appropriate means artistically or scientifically relevant, as well as historical representations.
The general prohibition of license plates pursuant to Section 86a StGB remains unchanged.
The decision is a case-by-case assessment and does not represent a general exception.
An updated test application is required for the submission of a game.

The Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) is changing its practice in the age rating procedure for games in which symbols of unconstitutional organizations are used.

As of now, the social adequacy clause of § 86a para. 3 of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB) are included by the USK bodies when reviewing computer games. This means that such computer and video games can receive an age rating from the USK in which the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations is judged to be socially appropriate by the USK committees. Socially appropriate in this context means that symbols of anti-constitutional organizations may be used in a title, provided that this serves the purposes of art or science, the representation of contemporary events or history. The fundamental prohibition of license plates according to However, § 86 a StGB has not changed. Therefore, a decision on an age rating always requires consideration on a case-by-case basis and is not a general exception. The change was made possible by a change in the legal interpretation of the responsible supreme state youth authority, which takes into account current legal assessments.

Effective immediately, the updated review application must be used to submit a game for age rating. A few months ago, I gave an interview to Bild.de about this, which you can find here.

Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.

Tags: Computer Computer game Games Software