Hays Production Code

The Hays Production Code, also known as the Motion Picture Production Code or simply as the Hays Code, was a set of self-censorship guidelines put in place by the MPAA, named after its then-president, Will H. Hays. The code prohibited the use of profanity, suggestive nudity, graphic or realistic violence, sexual persuasions and rape in motion pictures. It also had rules regarding the use of crime, costume, dance, religion, nationality, and morality. However, it was deemed unconstitutional in the late 1960s and Hollywood was freed from the code.