In March 2006, several deputy sheriffs raided X-Mart Supercenter during a two-month, countywide investigation of illegal DVD and VHS sales. A Florida law states that all videos must prominently feature an MPAA or other rating on their covers. Most of those sold at X-Mart were unrated, investigators said.
The law was passed to inform customers of film content before they purchase or rent them.
In a court ruling last month, Sumter County Judge Thomas Skidmore determined the law to be "vague" and ordered the movies be returned to Souliaguine.
"The title of such movies, as well as the pictures on the DVD's cover, probably do more to put the public on notice of the DVD's content than does any rating system," Skidmore said.
Sumter followed his decision by saying that any patron of X-Mart would likely be aware of the content of the films sold in the store and that labeling them with ratings would be meaningless.
The Sheriff's Office decided not to appeal the judge's decision. The Office's press officer was unavailable for comment at press time.
Souliaguine said he plans to restock his store's shelves with the returned videos as soon as possible.
