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January 1981-1989[]

The warning screen from CIC Video is a powder blue background with a large white "Warning" on the top and the CIC Video logo on the bottom. Between them is white warning text scrolling upward. It then fades out. Before 1987, the "Not for sale or hire in Australia and New Zealand" notice is not shown. On Australian tapes, different warning text scrolls up with "Warning", the CIC Video logo isn't shown, the fonts may vary, and later segues into either the CIC Video logo or the Merlin Video logo.

The early variant is different from the standard variant. The text did not scroll, the warning text is different, and the 1980 logo appears before it. There is an early version without the chain on the "I".

As seen on VHS, such as Star Trek 3: The Search for SpockHigh Plains DrifterNightmares, Heartburn, Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives, Back to the Future, Biloxi Blues, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Saturday Night Fever, and Critical Condition among others.

1988-1991[]

The 2nd warning screen is situated on the same space background as the 1986 logo. The word "Warning" fades in at the top in white. Below it, white warning text scrolls upward. Afterwards, the 1986 logo animates. On Australian tapes, different warning text scrolls up with the word "Warning". On French tapes, French warning text scrolls up with the word "Avertissement". On Spanish tapes from Spain, Spanish warning text scrolls up with the words "Aviso Legal".

As seen on VHS, such as Shadow Makers (a.k.a. Fat Man and Little Boy), King Ralph, Internal Affairs, Black Rain, Back to the Future: Part 3, The Naked Gun, The Hunt for Red October, and Crocodile Dundee 2.

1991-1997[]

The 2nd warning is situated on a black/blue gradient background. The word "WARNING" and generic white warning text, in the Times New Roman font are shown. Since 1994, the font of the text is Helvetica. Before 1993, the 1991 CIC Video logo animates after the warning. On Australian releases, the word "Warning" isn't underlined. The same Australian warning text from the previous warning scrolls upwards before the 1991 logo or the 1997 logo animates. The scrolling variant, seen at the end of 1991-1994 VHS tapes, is different from the standard warning because the warning text is longer. The text is similar to the previous 2 warnings, but "videocassette" is replaced by "video recording". The font of the text in this variant is Times New Roman, similar to the standard version. The second scrolling variant, seen at the end of 1994-1997 VHS tapes, is the same as the previous scrolling variant, but it's shorter and the warning text is in the Helvetica font.

As seen on VHS, such as Child's Play 3Scent of a Woman, early Star Trek: Voyager videos, early Rugrats videos, The Land Before Time videos, Star Trek: The Next Generation videosJuniorJurassic ParkRen and Stimpy videos, True LiesClarissa Explains it All videos, Schindler's List, and Apollo 13.

1997-2001[]

Warning: On the same aurora background as the 1997-2000 CIC Video logo, we see the word "WARNING" and generic text in Russell Square font reading:

The copyright owner has licensed
this video recording for home use
only. All other rights are reserved.

For further details please refer to
the end of the programme.

Behind it is a faded "CIC" logo. At the end of the tapes, the longer warning text scrolls up reading:

WARNING

The copyright owner has
licensed the film (including
it's soundtrack) recorded on
this video recording for home
use only. All other rights
are reserved.

The definition of home use
excludes the use of this video
recording at locations such as
clubs, coaches, hospitals,
hotels, oil rigs, prisons and
schools.

Any unauthorised copying,
editing, exhibition, sale,
rental, lending or any other
kinds of trading, public
performance or transmission
by air, cable or otherwise of
this video recording or any
part thereof is strictly
prohibited and any such action
establishes liability for civil
action and may give rise to
criminal prosecution.

Not for sale or hire in
Australia/New Zealand.

When the text is already finished scrolling up, the background stays on for 2 seconds before it fades out.

Variants:

  • On 1998-2000 DreamWorks releases technically under the CIC Video label, the faded "CIC" was removed and the warning text's shadow has a darker shade. In 2000, Paramount releases reused this variant but the Warning text's shadow has a lighter shade.
  • At the end of DreamWorks tapes, the same warning text scrolls upwards but the text size is increased, When the text is already finished scrolling up, the background fades out early.
  • At the end of 2000-2001 Paramount tapes, the same warning text scrolls upwards, When the text finished scrolling up, the background stays on for a split second.
  • There is a coded preview variant where the faded "CIC" zooms up to its center in style of the 1997-1999 logo, then the different Warning text in a Univers Condensed Font scrolls upwards reading:

WARNING

This individually coded preview cassette is loaned to you with the compliments of CIC Video as a professional courtesy.

If you have purchased or rented this videocassette please contact The Federation Against Copyright Theft (F.A.C.T.) on 0181 568 6646

CIC has made this cassette available on loan for personal and temporary use of the recipient only. All other rights are reserved. The definition of personal use excludes all commercial exploitation and the making available of the film in whole or in part to 3rd parties for any purpose whatsoever unless specifically consented to by CIC.

The material contained in this video recording is protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988. Commercial exploitation of this review cassette including any unauthorised copying, editing, exhibition, sale, rental, lending, public performance or transmission by air, cable or otherwise of the whole or any part of this videocassette is strictly prohibited and any such action establishes liability for civil action and may give rise to criminal prosecution.

Cheesy Factor: On DreamWorks and 2000 Paramount releases, the background time length has shortened. Also at the end of DreamWorks tapes, the word "Copyright" in the scrolling warning text has the first letter been capitalized, at the end of Paramount tapes the first letter in "copyright" isn't capitalized. Meanwhile, in the 2nd half of the text, in the Paramount version, "definition" is seen, while on DreamWorks tapes, "defination" is seen. On CIC Video tapes, In the 2nd half The words "oil rigs" is seen and on DreamWorks and Paramount tapes the words are conjoined as "oilrigs".

FX/SFX: The aurora background. The scrolling text at the end of the tape.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on 1997-1999 CIC Video and DreamWorks releases and remained on international Paramount releases until 2001. The Paramount examples are the In and Out, The Education of Little Tree, Sliding Doors, Primal Force, The Rugrats MovieTwilight (1999), Star Trek: Voyager videos, Good Burger, Rugrats videos, and Harriet the Spy. The Universal examples are The Land Before Time 6, Twister, The Frighteners, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and The Chamber. The DreamWorks examples are Antz, Mousehunt, Deep Impact, The Prince of Egypt and In Dreams.

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