In short
Act 141-2002 requires every cinema and commercial establishment — including mobile businesses — that sells and rents films on video and in any other form, technique or system, to permanently post and maintain a notice in Spanish and English with the initials and definition of each category of the rating system for the films it exhibits, sells or rents, in clear language understandable by an ordinary person. That notice must be placed where it is visible to everyone visiting the establishment or mobile business, including children; and in cinemas, it shall be installed where the consumer can clearly read it before purchasing tickets. In addition, every cinema must post a sign in Spanish and English warning the public if, during showings of films recommended for children under 13 years of age, trailers or advertisements will be run for films suggesting that minors under 17 be accompanied by an adult. The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs establishes by regulation the information to be included and the notice’s minimum size, and is empowered to impose administrative fines of no less than five hundred (500) dollars and no more than five thousand (5,000) dollars per violation.
What is it?
It is the law requiring that, where tickets and films are sold, what the ratings mean be made public. Its declared purpose is to establish an additional dissemination vehicle to publicize the film ratings voluntarily adopted by the United States film industry, so that people can be better informed when making their selection, particularly when it is for viewing by minors, eliminating the possibility of their witnessing scenes of obscene or pornographic, indecent, violent or otherwise harmful material. In other words: the State does not rate films — it requires the industry-adopted rating to be explained and displayed.
Who can do it?
Any consumer who buys tickets at a cinema or buys or rents films at a commercial establishment, including mobile businesses. Those cinemas and establishments are the ones bound.
Requirements
- That it be a cinema or a commercial establishment — including mobile businesses — that sells or rents films on video or in any other form, technique or system.Verified against the official source
Documents you need
Information pending verification.
Cost
Step by step
Step 1: Look for the notice before buying the ticket
The law sets where it must be: the notice must be placed where it is visible to everyone visiting the establishment or mobile business, including children, and in cinemas it shall be installed where the consumer can clearly read it before purchasing tickets. If you have to buy first and find out afterward, the notice is not where the law requires.
Step 2: Check it is in both languages and in clear language
The notice must be in Spanish and English, with the initials and definition of each category of the rating system for the films exhibited, sold or rented, in clear language understandable by an ordinary person. Posting the initials is not enough: the law requires the definition of each category.
Step 3: Watch for the trailers notice
This is the one almost nobody knows and the one that matters most if you go with children: every cinema must post a sign in Spanish and English warning the public if, during showings of films recommended for children under 13 years of age, trailers or advertisements will be run for films suggesting that minors under 17 be accompanied by an adult.
Step 4: If the notice is missing, the complaint goes to DACO
The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs shall establish by regulation the information to be included in the public notice and its minimum size, and where possible shall recommend a uniform design and language for all cinemas, fixed commercial establishments and mobile businesses subject to the law. And they are empowered to impose administrative fines of no less than five hundred (500) dollars and no more than five thousand (5,000) dollars per violation of Article 2, under Act 5-1973.
Where to do it
The Department of Consumer Affairs regulates the notice’s content and size and is the forum for a complaint when it is missing or non-compliant. If the matter is a canceled showing or event, that is a different consumer claim we cover in its own guide.
How long it takes
What to do if something goes wrong
What this law does and does not do, said precisely: it does not create a state film rating system or give the categories force of law. Its declared purpose is to serve as an additional dissemination vehicle for the ratings voluntarily adopted by the United States film industry, so the public is better informed when choosing. That is why the law requires displaying and explaining the rating, not barring entry based on it; each cinema’s admission policies are a separate matter. What we did not read for this guide: DACO’s regulation setting the notice’s information and minimum size, or Act 5-1973 beyond the fine range this law cites — so we publish no dimensions, designs or detailed complaint procedure. And we do not reproduce here the meaning of each rating initial because the law does not: what the law requires is that the establishment publish it.
Common mistakes
- Accepting a sign with only the initials: the law requires the initials and the definition of each category.
- Not demanding it in both languages: the notice must be in Spanish and English.
- Accepting it placed past the box office: in cinemas it must be clearly readable before purchasing tickets.
- Not knowing about the second notice: the one warning whether showings for children under 13 will run trailers for films suggesting adult accompaniment for minors under 17.
- Believing the State rates the films: the law disseminates the ratings the industry adopts voluntarily.
- Thinking it only applies to cinemas: it also covers commercial establishments and mobile businesses selling or renting films.
Frequently asked questions
Must the cinema tell me the rating before I buy?
Yes. The notice with the initials and definition of each category must be installed, in cinemas, where the consumer can clearly read it before purchasing tickets, in Spanish and English and in clear, understandable language.
What about adult trailers in a children’s movie?
Every cinema must post a sign in Spanish and English warning the public if, during showings of films recommended for children under 13, trailers or advertisements will be run for films suggesting that minors under 17 be accompanied by an adult.
Does it apply to stores that rent films?
Yes. The duty reaches every cinema and commercial establishment, including mobile businesses, that sells and rents films on video and in any other form, technique or system.
What is the fine if the notice is not posted?
The DACO Secretary may impose administrative fines of no less than five hundred (500) dollars and no more than five thousand (5,000) dollars per violation of Article 2 of the law, under Act 5-1973.
Official sources
These are the government pages this guide is based on.
- Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor (DACO)
DACO
bvirtualogp.pr.gov
- DACO services
DACO
www.daco.pr.gov
Last verified
August 24, 2026
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