Okla. book rating bill request faces potential legal issue with Motion Picture Association
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — One bill request in Oklahoma is already being challenged before it's even been drafted.
Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, requested a bill to establish a rating system for books instead of outright banning them in public schools and libraries, but the Motion Picture Association said that could potentially violate the law.
It's a system most movie-goers are familiar with: "G", "PG", "R" and so on. Since the 60's, movies have been rated with that system by a division of the MPA.
That's the system Hamilton is proposing for books in the aftermath of the book ban issues across the state. For a year, the government would be rating every library and school book.
In a letter written to the senator by a representative from MPA, obtained by OCPA, the association is alleging there'd be trademark violations if the proposed bill was signed into law.
The MPA is the owner of all trademarks in the rating symbols as designations used with the system," the letter says. It adds that "these rating marks are incontestable and may only be used by permission and authority of the MPA."
The association said using the system to rate books instead of movies will confuse parents and students, since instead of being rated by a private organization, the books will be rated by the government.
The letter said that while MPA is "sympathetic" that Hamilton wants to ensure kids aren't exposed to age-inappropriate material, the proposed legislation could potentially start trademark infringement lawsuits for the state and school districts.
KOKH reached out to Hamilton and has not heard back.
MPA representatives told KOKH the letter was not supposed to be leaked and they will not be commenting on the matter.
