Conversation:

Wasn't it under this act that the Sex Pistols were tried for their album "Never Mind the B******s"? If so, I'm surprised music doesn't get a mention.

Um, sorry to moan, it is a good article, by the way.

Thanks.

I've heard two stories about this. One that it was tried under the 1899 Indecent Advertising Act, and one that it was tried under the 1959 Obscene Publications Act.

Music censorship is almost unknown, as it is difficult to prove that it's harmful, and it would interfere with artistic expression. The 1854 amendment covers it - "Convictions would not occur if the publication could be proved to be 'in the interests of science, literature, art or learning'."

And to be honest, the case wasn't famous enough.

Of course, that should be 1954, not 1854.

I didn't know there were two different Obscene Publications Acts. I suppose that's why these articles are useful.

I've no idea which law the Pistol's were prosecuted under, but I've heard a good story about how they got off.

Two Obscene Publications Acts? How low has human society dropped? Censorship...feh.

Not two acts, but amended versions of the same Act.
The 1959 Act amended earlier acts. It's basically a way of keeping tabs on new technology.
The latest amendments to the Act, for example, deal with computer porn. It doesn't create a new Act, it merely adds to the old one.