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North American Warnings

1st Warning (1982-1990)

Warning: On a black background, we see a blue bar with "WARNING" (with a black drop shadow) in white and italics. There is white warning text below the bar.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on PolyGram Video releases of the era. On PolyGram Music Video releases, it appears at the end rather than the beginning.

2nd Warning (1990-1997)

Warning: On a black background, there is a red rectangle with the standard white FBI letters and logo. At the right of the screen is white text with the red text "WARNING" at the top.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare. Mostly appeared on releases with the "VHS Assembly" logo. One release with this warning is NFL CrunchCourse. Also appeared on the first tapes with the 1993 logo. Canadian copies of PolyGram releases from this time have this too, and a good example is the 1992 VHS of Essential Opera. It still appeared on some tapes with the "Red Line of Doom" logo, mostly NFL releases and early Mighty Morphin Power Rangers releases, used in tandem with the 4th warning.

3rd Warning (Canada, 1992-2003)

Warning: On a blue background, we see the warning text scrolling up. The word "WARNING" is above a red line. It is then followed by its French translation with the word "ATTENTION" above a red line.

Variant: Most releases use only the English or French version of this warning, depending on the language. On some VHS tapes it uses both languages. From 1992 to 1993, the warning was spaced.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on all Canadian PolyGram Video releases from 1992-1999, such as Mr. Bean, and on English VHS releases by Malofilm from 1992-1997. Can also be found on some Périodica Vidéo releases, on a Koch International VHS of Backlash: Oblivion 2, and on certain Seville Pictures DVD and VHS releases from 1997-2003. It's also seen on the Canadian VHS of Air Bud and TVA International videos.

4th Warning (1994-2002)

Warning: On a black background, we see the words "FBI WARNING" in Futura Bold. The "G" is slightly lowered compared to the rest of the phrase. Below is the white warning text in Helvetica. This is almost the same as the enhanced variant of Universal Pictures warning.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on all USA Home Entertainment releases, as well as PolyGram Video releases from 1994 to 1999. Also seen on several Sterling Home Entertainment releases and some WarnerVision/KidVision releases. It is unknown whether this was translated into Spanish for their Spanish-dubbed tape of The Borrowers. Tapes from their subsidiary Manga Entertainment, at least in the United States, had their own warning screens, detailed below, though this does appear on their initial DVD of Ghost in the Shell, which PolyGram released directly.

5th Warning (February 28, 1995-2005)

Warning: On a black background, we see a red bar with the silver words "FBI WARNING". Below is the standard warning text.

Variant: Starting in 1997, the warning is completely 2D and here are the changes.

"FBI WARNING" in particular is now white with a black border.
The bar at the top is now a solid red without a border.
The warning text is also in a different font and arranged differently.
"FBI WARNING" is also smaller.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on most Manga tapes distributed by PolyGram Video in the United States, including Black Magic M-66, the Patlabor movies, and Psychic Wars. It was also seen on all tapes distributed by Palm Pictures, including X, The Castle of Cagliostro, and Rayearth.

6th Warning (June 20, 1995)

Warning: On a grey background, video-generated light blue Spanish warning text in a Handel Gothic font scrolls up.

Technique: Just the text scrolling.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Extinct, due to Spanish-language offerings from Manga's American division being next to impossible to find, even compared to its English-subtitled offerings. Confirmed to appear on their Spanish-dubbed release of Ninja Scroll.

7th Warning (1995-1997)

Warning: On a white background, we see a black rectangle with the standard FBI letters and logo. To its left is the word "WARNING" in red, and below that, the standard warning text.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on many PolyGram-era tapes from Manga Entertainment, including Macross II, Ghost in the Shell, and Dangaioh.

International Warnings

United Kingdom and Australia

1st Warning (1981-1986)

Warning: On a black background, this text is shown in white:

WARNING All rights of the
producer and of the owner
of the work reproduced
reserved. Unauthorised
copying, hiring, lending
public performance, radio
or TV broadcasting of this
video recording prohibited.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Extremely rare. Seen at the end of the first PolyGram Video releases in the UK, such as Rankin/Bass' The Flight of Dragons and The Wind in the Willows. Also appears on many PolyGram rental releases of Spectrum Video material, including Endless Love, An American Werewolf in London, King of the Mountain, McVicar and Quadrophenia.

2nd Warning (1983-1992)

Warning: On a black background, we see the word "WARNING" in red. Below it is the following text in white:

This Videogram is for private domestic
use only. All unauthorised uses,
including copying, public performance,
broadcast or transmission by diffusion
service of the whole or part of this
Videogram are prohibited.
Unauthorised use may incur damages
for breach of copyright and criminal
penalties of up to six months
imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000

After a few seconds, it fades out.

Variant: On Hoyts-PolyGram Video releases, the background is white and the warning text is black.

Technique: A fade-out.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Extremely rare. It's usually seen on Hoyts-Polygram Video VHS releases in Australia. Strangely, it appears on the 1995 US Video Treasures VHS of Raw Deal, as this appears after the 1987-1998 Video Treasures logo and before the Hoyts-PolyGram Video logo, even though it's sourced from an Australian master.

3rd Warning (1984-1998)

Warning: On a black background, we see the word "WARNING" in orange, and below is the following text in orange:

All rights of the producer
and of the owner of the
work reproduced reserved.
Unauthorised copying,
hiring, lending, public
performance, radio or TV
broadcasting of this
video recording prohibited.
After the above text fades out, we see the following text fade in, in exactly the same font as the first screen:This video cassette was
duplicated by Rank
Video Duplication on behalf
of PolyGram Video
and with their approval.

Variant: Sometimes, the duplication notice is absent. This can be seen on British 4 Front Video and Channel 5 Video VHS releases.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability:

Seen on all British PolyGram Video releases from 1984 to 1998.
It can also be found on releases from UK companies PolyGram acquired, such as Vision Video and Channel 5 Video releases.
Starting in May 1991, coinciding with the PolyGram Video "VHS Assembly" logo's debut, the warning appeared at the start and end of later PolyGram Video releases from May 1991-1992.

4th Warning (1990-1999)

Warning:: On a black background is the following text scrolling up, and in capitals:

WARNING
THIS VIDEOGRAM IS FOR PRIVATE
DOMESTIC USE ONLY.
ALL UNAUTHORISED USES INCLUDING
COPYING, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE,
BROADCAST OR TRANSMISSION BY
DIFFUSION SERVICE OF THE WHOLE
OR PART OF THIS VIDEOGRAM
ARE PROHIBITED.
UNAUTHORISED USE MAY INCUR
DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF
COPYRIGHT AND CRIMINAL
PENALTIES OF UP TO FIVE YEARS
IMPRISONMENT AND FINES OF UP
TO $50,000 PER OFFENCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS AND $250,000 PER
OFFENCE FOR CORPORATIONS.

Variants:

In later years, a different font, similar to Helvetica, was used.
On later releases and some certain tapes, the text is replaced by the following:

WARNING

The Copyright Proprietor Has Licensed
The Picture And Soundtrack Contained In
This Video Cassette For Private Home
Use Only.
It Is An Infringement Of Australian
Copyright Laws To Copy, Reproduce,
Show In Public Including Hotels And
Motels In Whole Or In Part.
Violators Are Subject To Criminal And Or
Civil Prosecution.

Technique:: The text scrolling up.

Music/Sounds:: None.

Availability:: Seen on PolyGram releases in Australia, such as It's Fun to Learn with Spot Colours and Shapes, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Out of Africa (Universal) and Hard Target (Universal).

5th Warning (1992-1997)

Warning: On a black background, we see the word "WARNING" in the same font as the 1992 PolyGram logo in white, and below is the following text (also in white):

The copyright proprietors have licensed
the cinematograph film and sound
recording contained in this videogram
for private home use only.

All other rights reserved. Any
unauthorised use including copying,
editing, exhibiting, renting, lending,
diffusion, hiring, public performance,
radio or television broadcasting
or otherwise dealing with this
videogram or any part thereof is
strictly prohibited.

Technique: The fading of the text.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on British PolyGram Video releases from 1993-1997, as well as some American releases. Sometimes, at the end of UK VHS tapes, the warning screen is shown after the PolyGram Video logo.

6th Warning (1997-1999)

Warning: On a black background, we see the word "WARNING" in white, and below is the white warning text from the previous warning, and after 20 seconds it fades out, sometimes slower.

Technique: The fading of the text.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on British PolyGram Video releases from 1997-1999. Sometimes, at the end of UK VHS tapes, the warning screen is shown after the PolyGram Video logo.

7th Warning (1998-1999)

Warning: On a black background, we see the following text:

COPYRIGHT NOTICE.

The copyright proprietors have licensed the
material contained in this DVD / videogramme
for private and domestic use only and any other
use or reproduction in whole or part including
the making of copies of the material or causing
it to be transmitted to subscribers to a diffusion
service or selling, letting or hire or otherwise
dealing with it in a whole or in part is
strictly prohibited.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on British PolyGram Video DVD releases, such as The Game.

Germany

(1993?-1999)

Warning: On a black background, the 1993 PolyGram Video logo animates as normal, however, once it's done, the following text in blue begins scrolling up as the logo fades out:

Der Copyright-Inhaber hat
das Programm auf dieser
Videocassette ausschließlich
zur privaten Nutzung
freigegeben. Er verbietet die
vollständige und teilweise
anderweitige Nutzung,
insbesondere die Kopierung,
Vervielfältigung, Überspielung,
die Öffentliche Vorführung
und den kommerziellen Verleih.

Following the scroll, publish info scrolls up and settles on the center of the screen.

Translation:
The copyright holder has released the program on this video cassette exclusively for private use. It prohibits the complete and partial other use, in particular copying, duplication, dubbing, public performance and commercial rental.

Variant: Some releases have the text in a more plain blue color and in a slightly different font. The publishing info also varies depending on the release.

Technique: The logo animating, the text scrolling.

Music/Sounds: For the first few seconds, just the sounds of the logo. Afterwards, it's silent.

Availability: Seen on German PolyGram releases including Barney's Insel der Fantasien (Barney's Imagination Island).

Legacy On the regular variant, where is the year of publishing, and why are "PolyGram GmbH" and the publish symbol spaced so far apart?

Spain

(1993-Late 1990's)

Warning:: On a black background is the following text, all scrolling up:

El propietario del copyright ha
licenciado el film (incluyéndo su
banda sonora) contenido en este
videocassette sólo para su uso
doméstico. Todos los demás
derechos quedan reservados.
Cualquier copia, edición, adición,
reducción, corrección, exhibición,
alquiler, intercambio, contrato,
préstamo, difusión, proyección
simultanea en videos comunitarios
u otras actividades y/o emisión
de exhibiciones públicas de este
videocassette o de alguna parte
del mismo, sin autorización
expresa, están terminantemente
prohibidos y la realización de
cualquiera de estas actividades
haría incurrir en responsabili-
dades legales y podría dar lugar
a actuaciones penales.

Translation:
The copyright owner has licensed the film (including its soundtrack) contained in this videocassette for home use only. All other rights reserved. Any copying, editing, addition, reduction, correction, display, rental, exchange, contract, loan, broadcast, simultaneous projection in community videos or other activities and/or broadcast of public exhibitions of this videocassette or any part thereof, without express authorization, are strictly prohibited and the performance of any of these activities would incur legal liability and could lead to criminal proceedings.

Technique: The scrolling up.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on Spanish PolyGram Video releases such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series.

France

1st Warning (Mid 1980's-1997?)

Mid 1980's-1991 variant
1991-1993 variant
Standard variant

Warning: On a black background, we see the following text flipping in:

Tous droits du producteur
et du propriétaire de l‘oeuvre
enregistrée réservés.
Sauf autorisation,
la duplication, la location, le prêt,
et l'utilisation de cette vidéo
cassette pour l'exécution publique
et la radiodiffusion sont interdits.

Translation:
All rights of the producer and owner of the registered work reserved. Unless authorized, duplication, rental, lending, and use of this videocassette for public performance and broadcasting is prohibited.

Variant: The pre-1993 tapes had the warning text in uppercase. On post-1991 tapes, the background is blue. It also fades in and out.

Technique: The flipping of the text for the standard variant. The fading of the text for the pre-1993 variant.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on French PolyGram Video releases such as Cabaret and Rai.

2nd Warning (1997-1999)

Warning: On the same background as the 1997 PolyGram Filmed Entertainment logo (and other PolyGram logos at the time), we see same warning text in white from the previous warning. After 15 seconds, the warning text fades out, and the word "EDV 764" fades in.

Technique: The warning text fades out after 15 seconds, and the word "EDV 764" fades in.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on later European French PolyGram releases.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == North American Warnings ==
 === 1st Warning (1982-1990) ===
-[[File:PolyGramWarningEarly1980s.png|200px|center]]
+[[File:PolyGramWarningEarly1980s.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, we see a {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} bar with "'''''WARNING'''''" (with a black drop shadow) in white and italics. There is white warning text below the bar.
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 === 2nd Warning (1990-1997) ===
-[[file:PolyGramWarning1990.png|200px|center]]
+[[file:PolyGramWarning1990.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, there is a {{color|red}} rectangle with the standard white FBI letters and logo. At the right of the screen is white text with the {{color|red}} text "{{color|red|'''WARNING'''}}" at the top.
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 === 4th Warning (1994-2002) ===
-[[File:PolyGramWarning1998.png|200px|center]]
+[[File:PolyGramWarning1998.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, we see the words "{{color|red|'''FBI WARNING'''}}" in Futura Bold. The "{{color|red|'''G'''}}" is slightly lowered compared to the rest of the phrase. Below is the white warning text in Helvetica. This is almost the same as the enhanced variant of Universal Pictures warning.
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 === 5th Warning (February 28, 1995-2005) ===
-<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="300">
 MangaEntertainmentWarning1994.png
 MangaEntertainmentWarning1998.png
@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 === 7th Warning (1995-1997) ===
-[[file:MangaEntertainmentWarning1996.png|200px|center]]
+[[file:MangaEntertainmentWarning1996.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a white background, we see a black rectangle with the standard FBI letters and logo. To its left is the word "{{color|red|'''WARNING'''}}" in {{color|red}}, and below that, the standard warning text.
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 === United Kingdom and Australia===
 ==== 1st Warning (1981-1986) ====
-[[File:PolyGramUKWarningEarly1980s.png|200px|center]]
+[[File:PolyGramUKWarningEarly1980s.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, this text is shown in white:
 <center>{{font|Arial|'''WARNING All rights of the<br>producer and of the owner<br>of the work reproduced<br>reserved. Unauthorised<br>copying, hiring, lending<br>public performance, radio<br>or TV broadcasting of this<br>video recording prohibited.<br>'''}}</center>
@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 ==== 2nd Warning (1983-1992) ====
-[[File:PolyGramAustraliaWarning1989.png|200px|center]]
+[[File:PolyGramAustraliaWarning1989.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, we see the word "{{font|Arial|{{color|red|WARNING}}}}" in {{color|red}}. Below it is the following text in white:
 <center>{{font|Arial|This Videogram is for private domestic}}<br>{{font|Arial|use only. All unauthorised uses,<br>including copying, public performance,}}<br>{{font|Arial|broadcast or transmission by diffusion}}<br>{{font|Arial|service of the whole or part of this}}<br>{{font|Arial|Videogram are prohibited.}}<br>{{font|Arial|Unauthorised use may incur damages}}<br>{{font|Arial|for breach of copyright and criminal}}<br>{{font|Arial|penalties of up to six months}}<br>{{font|Arial|imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000}}</center>
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 ==== 3rd Warning (1984-1998) ====
-<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="300">
 PolyGramUKWarningLate1980s.png
 PolyGramUKWarningLate1980sDupl.png
@@ Line 131: / Line 131: @@
 ==== 4th Warning (1990-1999) ====
-<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="300">
 PolyGramAustraliaWarning1994.png
 PolyGramAustraliaWarning1997.png
@@ Line 154: / Line 154: @@
 ==== 5th Warning (1992-1997) ====
-[[File:PolyGramUKWarning1993.png|200px|center]]
+[[File:PolyGramUKWarning1993.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, we see the word "{{font|Arial|'''<u>WARNING</u>'''}}" in the same font as the 1992 PolyGram logo in white, and below is the following text (also in white):
 <center>{{font|Arial|The copyright proprietors have licensed<br>the cinematograph film and sound<br>recording contained in this videogram<br>for private home use only.<br><br>All other rights reserved. Any<br>unauthorised use including copying,<br>editing, exhibiting, renting, lending,<br>diffusion, hiring, public performance,<br>radio or television broadcasting<br>or otherwise dealing with this<br>videogram or any part thereof is<br>strictly prohibited.}}</center>
@@ Line 165: / Line 165: @@
 ==== 6th Warning (1997-1999) ====
-[[File:PolyGramUKWarning1997.png|200px|center]]
+[[File:PolyGramUKWarning1997.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, we see the word "{{font|Arial|WARNING}}" in white, and below is the white warning text from the previous warning, and after 20 seconds it fades out, sometimes slower.
@@ Line 175: / Line 175: @@
 ====7th Warning (1998-1999)====
-[[file:PolyGramVideoUKDVDEarlyWarning.png|200px|center]]
+[[file:PolyGramVideoUKDVDEarlyWarning.png|300px|center]]
 '''Warning:''' On a black background, we see the following text:
 <center>
@@ Line 212: / Line 212: @@
 ===Spain===
 ====(1993-Late 1990's)====
-[[file:PolyGramVideoWarningSpain90s.png|center|200px]]
+[[file:PolyGramVideoWarningSpain90s.png|center|300px]]
 '''Warning:''': On a black background is the following text, all scrolling up:
 <center>{{font|Times New Roman|El propietario del copyright ha<br>licenciado el film (incluyéndo su<br>banda sonora) contenido en este<br>videocassette sólo para su uso<br>doméstico. Todos los demás<br>derechos quedan reservados.<br>Cualquier copia, edición, adición,<br>reducción, corrección, exhibición,<br>alquiler, intercambio, contrato,<br>préstamo, difusión, proyección<br>simultanea en videos comunitarios<br>u otras actividades y/o emisión<br>de exhibiciones públicas de este<br>videocassette o de alguna parte<br>del mismo, sin autorización<br>expresa, están terminantemente<br>prohibidos y la realización de<br>cualquiera de estas actividades<br>haría incurrir en responsabili-<br>dades legales y podría dar lugar<br>a actuaciones penales.}}</center>
@@ Line 226: / Line 226: @@
 ===France===
 ====1st Warning (Mid 1980's-1997?)====
-<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="300">
 PolyGramVideoWarningFrance1980s.png|Mid 1980's-1991 variant
 PolyGramVideoWarningFrance1991.png|1991-1993 variant
@@ Line 245: / Line 245: @@
 ====2nd Warning (1997-1999)====
-<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="300">
 PolyGramVideoWarningFrance1997N.png
 PolyGramVideoWarningFrance1997NContinued.png