18 U.S.C. § 2257 : US Code - Section 2257: Record keeping requirements

Search 18 U.S.C. § 2257 : US Code - 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.