18 U.S.C. § 2257 – Record Keeping Requirements

18 U.S.C. § 2257 – Record Keeping Requirements

This is a United States federal law that imposes record-keeping obligations on producers of sexually explicit content to ensure all performers are adults . Key provisions:

• Who must comply: Any person who produces books, magazines, films, videos, digital images, or other matter containing visual depictions of actual sexually explicit conduct, using materials shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce .

• What records must be kept: Producers must create and maintain individually identifiable records for every performer, including legal name, date of birth, all aliases/stage names, verified by examination of a government-issued photo identification document . Records must be organized and cross-referenced by names and titles .

• Record location: Records must be maintained at the producer's place of business and made available for inspection by the Attorney General at any reasonable time .

• Labeling requirement: Every copy of the covered material must have a statement affixed describing the physical street address where the age verification records are located. For websites, this applies to every page where such content appears .

• Exemptions: No records are required for depictions of simulated sexual conduct, non-sexually explicit nudity, or materials created before the effective date of the law .

• Penalties: Violations are punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines. Repeat offenses carry 2 to 10 years in prison .