Lawyer wants "R" movies removed from Redbox

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Redbox and Moviecube kiosks have been popping up all over outside popular stores and restaurants. Now, the companies may be facing charges because of the merchandise they offer.

Using the kiosk is, by design, very easy. Just swipe a credit card and, for a dollar and some change, users can pick out the latest DVD releases.

The problem is that the process is so easy, a kid can do it.

There are more than 20,000 Redbox kiosks around the country. Now, Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco is fighting to take "R" rated material out of Redbox. He said it's too easy for children to just walk up and rent an "R" rated movie.

"I sent out a letter to all the people who were distributing these and told them that I thought they had a potential violation there and they should remove them," said Levco.

Levco cites a law that bans providing "harmful" material to minors, like "R" rated or "unrated" movies found at the kiosks. It's a D felony.

A Minneapolis-based firm, Video Buyer's Group, which represents 1,700 private-owned video stores across the US, also supports the idea.

Company president, Ted Engen, said, "It's not a competition issue, that is not it. This is an issue of protecting the kids from the product we don't believe they should have."

But Redbox customers, like Lonna Lopez, know what they want. And it includes rated "R" movies.

"I rent "R" rated movies. So I wouldn't like it, I probably wouldn't come back, but my kids are five." said Lopez.

Levco said he doesn't know if he will pursue prosecution or who would face possible charges.

"I've gotten a number of responses from attorneys from around the county and the country. They want to persuade me that I shouldn't be going after them and I'm open to that," said Levco.

The attorney for Redbox and Moviecube, Larry Mackey, is based in Indianapolis.

Mackey is working on briefs based on federal law to stop retailers from pulling the "R" and "unrated" material from the kiosks.

Mackey is out of town on business. 24-Hour News 8 left him messages but he did not return our calls.