Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 18 : Section 2257


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 2257. Record keeping requirements

      (a) Whoever produces any book, magazine, periodical, film,
    videotape, or other matter which - 
        (1) contains one or more visual depictions made after November
      1, 1990 of actual sexually explicit conduct; and
        (2) is produced in whole or in part with materials which have
      been mailed or shipped in interstate or foreign commerce, or is
      shipped or transported or is intended for shipment or
      transportation in interstate or foreign commerce;

    shall create and maintain individually identifiable records
    pertaining to every performer portrayed in such a visual depiction.
      (b) Any person to whom subsection (a) applies shall, with respect
    to every performer portrayed in a visual depiction of actual
    sexually explicit conduct - 
        (1) ascertain, by examination of an identification document
      containing such information, the performer's name and date of
      birth, and require the performer to provide such other indicia of
      his or her identity as may be prescribed by regulations;
        (2) ascertain any name, other than the performer's present and
      correct name, ever used by the performer including maiden name,
      alias, nickname, stage, or professional name; and
        (3) record in the records required by subsection (a) the
      information required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection
      and such other identifying information as may be prescribed by
      regulation.

      (c) Any person to whom subsection (a) applies shall maintain the
    records required by this section at his business premises, or at
    such other place as the Attorney General may by regulation
    prescribe and shall make such records available to the Attorney
    General for inspection at all reasonable times.
      (d)(1) No information or evidence obtained from records required
    to be created or maintained by this section shall, except as
    provided in this section, directly or indirectly, be used as
    evidence against any person with respect to any violation of law.
      (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not preclude the use
    of such information or evidence in a prosecution or other action
    for a violation of this chapter or chapter 71, or for a violation
    of any applicable provision of law with respect to the furnishing
    of false information.
      (e)(1) Any person to whom subsection (a) applies shall cause to
    be affixed to every copy of any matter described in paragraph (1)
    of subsection (a) of this section, in such manner and in such form
    as the Attorney General shall by regulations prescribe, a statement
    describing where the records required by this section with respect
    to all performers depicted in that copy of the matter may be
    located.
      (2) If the person to whom subsection (a) of this section applies
    is an organization the statement required by this subsection shall
    include the name, title, and business address of the individual
    employed by such organization responsible for maintaining the
    records required by this section.
      (f) It shall be unlawful - 
        (1) for any person to whom subsection (a) applies to fail to
      create or maintain the records as required by subsections (a) and
      (c) or by any regulation promulgated under this section;
        (2) for any person to whom subsection (a) applies knowingly to
      make any false entry in or knowingly to fail to make an
      appropriate entry in, any record required by subsection (b) of
      this section or any regulation promulgated under this section;
        (3) for any person to whom subsection (a) applies knowingly to
      fail to comply with the provisions of subsection (e) or any
      regulation promulgated pursuant to that subsection; and
        (4) for any person knowingly to sell or otherwise transfer, or
      offer for sale or transfer, any book, magazine, periodical, film,
      video, or other matter, produce in whole or in part with
      materials which have been mailed or shipped in interstate or
      foreign commerce or which is intended for shipment in interstate
      or foreign commerce, which - 
          (A) contains one or more visual depictions made after the
        effective date of this subsection of actual sexually explicit
        conduct; and
          (B) is produced in whole or in part with materials which have
        been mailed or shipped in interstate or foreign commerce, or is
        shipped or transported or is intended for shipment or
        transportation in interstate or foreign commerce;

      which does not have affixed thereto, in a manner prescribed as
      set forth in subsection (e)(1), a statement describing where the
      records required by this section may be located, but such person
      shall have no duty to determine the accuracy of the contents of
      the statement or the records required to be kept.

      (g) The Attorney General shall issue appropriate regulations to
    carry out this section.
      (h) As used in this section - 
        (1) the term "actual sexually explicit conduct" means actual
      but not simulated conduct as defined in subparagraphs (A) through
      (D) of paragraph (2) of section 2256 of this title;
        (2) "identification document" has the meaning given that term
      in section 1028(d) of this title;
        (3) the term "produces" means to produce, manufacture, or
      publish any book, magazine, periodical, film, video tape,
      computer generated image, digital image, or picture, or other
      similar matter and includes the duplication, reproduction, or
      reissuing of any such matter, but does not include mere
      distribution or any other activity which does not involve hiring,
      contracting for managing, or otherwise arranging for the
      participation of the performers depicted; and
        (4) the term "performer" includes any person portrayed in a
      visual depiction engaging in, or assisting another person to
      engage in, actual sexually explicit conduct.

      (i) Whoever violates this section shall be imprisoned for not
    more than 5 years, and fined in accordance with the provisions of
    this title, or both. Whoever violates this section after having
    been convicted of a violation punishable under this section shall
    be imprisoned for any period of years not more than 10 years but
    not less than 2 years, and fined in accordance with the provisions
    of this title, or both.



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