*You are now viewing the links page for 18 USC 2257 and censorship issues
Read on............

18 USC 2257's 28 CFR 75 -- just the basics
28 CFR 75 amends 18 USC 2257 to go into more detail as to what is expected in adult recordkeeping. Far right column is the version that is in effect from June 23 2005 onward.

18 USC 2257
The law regarding Recordkeeping & Custodian of Records. Be sure to consult 28 CFR 75, as that contains amendments to 18 USC 2257.

2002-10-16 Censorship Charge to Credit Cards

2003-08-25 Defendants Plead Guilty in Obscenity Case
Urination/defecation media. Press release at USDOJ.gov.

2004-06-04 Knock, Knock - It's the 2257 Man
AVN article.

2004-06-28 Changes to 2257 now an Official Proposal
AVN article.

2004-08-12 'Webmaster's Primer on 2257 Compliance'
AVN article.

2004-09-01 '2257 Compliance Checklist for European Producers'
AVN article.

2004-09-01: '2257 and You'
AVN article.

2004-09-08 Info Requested via Freedom of Information Act
AVN article.

2004-10-20 FSC Preparing to Challenge New 2257 Regulations
AVN article.

2004-11-26: 'Copyright Czar added to Fed Bill'
AVN article.

2004-12-02: Senate Hearing: 'The Science Behind Porn Addiction'
AVN article. "Suggestions were made that pornography was... a harmful, addictive product which should outweigh any protection it may have as expression."

2005-01-11 'Gonzales Commits To Fighting Porn'
AVN article.

2005-02-01: 'Legal Issues of Producing Adult Content'
AVN article.

2005-02-15 Free Speech Coalition Submits Testimony
AVN article.

2005-02-15 Letter to Subcommittee about Obscenity Hearing
AVN article.

2005-02-15: Upcoming Senate ''Obscenity'' Hearing
AVN article.

2005-02-16: Senate Hearing: 'Obscenity Prosecution and the Constitution'
Hearing notice at Senate.Gov. Last word was this was cancelled...

2005-03-01 Fetish Materials and the Law
AVN article

2005-03-03: Gonzales Urged to Declare War on Child Porn
AVN article.

2005-03-15 Googlejacking
AVN article

2005-04-01 Do You Know What Your Affiliates Are Doing
AVN article

2005-05-06: Hit Child Porn, not Legal Adult Content
AVN article.

2005-05-11: Attorneys weigh in on Obscenity Task Force
AVN article.

2005-05-17: Attorney Gen. Adds to 18USC2257
Department of Justice press release.

2005-05-17: New 2257 Rules signed by Attorney General
AVN article

2005-05-24 Confusion and Anger over Regs
AVN article

2005-05-27 Understanding Personal ID Requirements
AVN article

2005-06-01 Foreign ID Discussion
YNOT.com article

2005-06-07 Software Developers Offer 2257 Compliance Solutions
YNOT.com article.

2005-06-14 Webmasters Concerned about 2257 Info Sharing
XBiz article.

2005-06-17 Motion Filed Seeking 2257 Temporary Restraining Order
AVN article - very thorough - a must read regarding the legal holes in the 2257 changes

2005-06-22 Announcement Due Thursday; Industry Prepares
AVN article

2005-06-22: 2257 Aims to Crush Adult Entertainment
Article at Free Internet Press, informing fans about the law affecting adult companies.

2005-06-23 Free Speech Coalition Members Dodge Bullet For Now
AVN article.

2005-06-23 Free Speech Under Attack
Article explaining 2257 problems to fans, at morons.org.

2005-06-24 Stipulation Regarding Motion...
What FSC got instead of the restraining order they'd filed for.

2005-06-26 Industry Reacts to Free Speech Coalition Deal
AVN article

2005-06-29 Dodging the Censor's Bullet
Windy City Media Group Gay-Lesbian news. Article.

2005-07-01 Atty General Alberto Gonzales Lost Moral Compass
AVN article.

2005-07-02 Role of the 2257 Special Master explained
XBiz article.

2005-07-05 Regulations Impinge on Free Speech
Article at PoliticalGateway.com.

2005-07-19 New Bill: 25% Tax on Adult Website Sales?
This law would utilize 18 USC 2257 as a roster for taxing adult sites at a ridiculous rate. The idea about adding age-verification to credit card sales, though, would have been an acceptable idea on its own...

2005-07-21 Justice Dept Responds to 7 Questions
AVN article. Dept of Justice provides clarifications and concessions on 7 points of 2257. A must-read.

2005-07-27 Age Verif and 25% Porn Tax Battle Begins
AVN article

2005-07-27 Porn Tax - Proposal
Legal wording.

2005-07-28 NY Judge Won't Enjoin Anti-Porn Statute
AVN article

2005-08-02 Federal Regs Argued in Colorado Court
Sovo.com article.

2005-08-02 No Decision Today; Gov't Backs Down on Some Claims
AVN article.

2005-08-05 Court Weighs Federal Website Rules
Sovo.com article. This article mentions that the Free Speech Coalition currently has 3,625 members.

2005-08-10 Some 2257 Regs Clarified by DOJ and FSC
AVN article

2005-08-22 No Decision Yet
YNot article

2005-08-29 Silver Lining: the Good in 2257
YNot article.

2005-08-30 U.S. Attorney's Porn Fight Gets Bad Reviews
Law.com article.

2005-08-31 Deal with Government Extended
YNot article.

2005-09-01 Web Sexual Expression Imperiled
GayCityNews article.

2005-09-06 Federal Regulations Again Stalled
Sovo article.

2005-09-12 Freedom of Information takes a Year
AVN article.

2005-09-14 House introduces Child Prevention Act 2005
AVN article.

2005-09-15 Coalition Statement on Child Porn Protect Act 2005
AVN article

2005-09-20 FBI Recruiting for Anti-Obscenity Unit
AVN article. New "anti-obscenity squad"... will allegedly target "bestiality, urination, defecation, as well as sadistic and masochistic behavior"... rape...fisting.

2005-09-21 Models IDs Posted on Online Forum
Please forward this link to every producer you know, so that whoever hired this guy just before August 13 will piece things together.

2005-09-23 Churches declare National Anti-Porn Day
AVN article.

2005-09-29 War on Porn
MSNbc article.

2005-10-02 Agreement on 2257 Motion extended to Oct 31
AVN article

2005-10-06 California: Max Hardcore raided for ''Obscenity''
Titles seized depict watersports, fisting. AVN article. Note: Performer ID documents were also seized. According to Max Hardcore's attorney, even though Max Hardcore is a member of the FSC, the current stipulated agreement that prevents the DOJ from enforcing 2257 federal record-keeping and labeling laws against FSC members (until after a federal judge rules on a pending motion for a preliminary injunction) is not applicable when IDs are seized in the course of an obscenity investigation. IDs seized in the raid were limited to the performers who appeared in the 5 seized tapes.

2005-10-07 Erotic Stories Site closed by FBI
Ynot article.

2005-10-07 Red Rose Stories site Charged with Obscenity
Xbiz article.

2005-10-12 Some Members of BDSM Community Self-Censoring
Ynot article.

2005-10-13 Legal Beat - October
Summary of current events in 2257 etc. Xbiz article.

2005-10-19 Arguments in Extreme 'Obscenity' Case before 3rd Circuit
Ynot article.

2005-10-19 Bill Revisited - ''Legitimate'' Industry Might Be Exempted
Article at crime-research.org

2005-10-20 ''Extreme Case About Privacy, Not Obscenity''
AVN article

2005-10-25 Child Safety Act to change Movie Industry
Article in student newspaper at George State U.

2005-10-27 Federal Porn Crackdown Intensifies
Bay Area Reporter article.

2005-11-01 Precedent set in Copyright Infringement Case
AVN article about Titan vs Bareback. Two notable issues. 1. Site allowing customers to post images, found liable in not preventing or deleting copyright images from other sources. 2. Court allowance of seizing domain names for auction to raise money for the judgement.

2005-11-17 War on Porn Starts in Texas
Piercings, simulated torture join DOJ's list of 'obscenity'.

2006-02-13 Websites Fight Rules
Amazingly, in this article AEBN states publicly that they don't have all their records.

2006-03-20 Court rejects Obscenity Appeal (S/M)
Barbara Nitke's appeal is denied.

2006-07-25 FBI Inspects Diabolic
AVN article.

2006-08-18 $50,000 Monthly Minimum
Many merchant banks now requiring a $50K monthly minimum before considering an applicant for a merchant account. This link shows a statement by NetBilling to that effect; I've received similar information from other places.

2006-09-12 Latest ''Obscenity'' List
This is the most current "Obscenity List" I have compiled (Sep.2006). Items the Dept. of Justice has indicated/announced they consider "obscene": Bestiality, urination, defecation, rape, sadistic and masochistic behavior (sometimes called sadistic and masochistic conduct) (this string is often accompanied by the phrase "in conjunction with sex acts"). Added: fisting. Added: live piercing, simulated torture, sexual torture. Added: blood play, menstruation. Added: vomit, mutilation. Latest known added: bukkake [text described what sounded to be American-variation bukkake, not Japanese style bukkake]

2006-10-11 FBI Inspects Darkside
AVN article.

2006-11-17 FSC Objects to 'Illegal Searches'
AVN article.

2007-01-17 Attorney discusses aspects of 2257
AVN article.

2007-01-24 FBI Inspects Wicked Pictures
AVN article.

2007-03-23 Districts 'Don't Give a Rat's Ass'
AVN article about U.S. attorneys, Dept. of Justice and FBI not working together to fight obscenity.

2007-05-07 FBI Inspects Shane's World
AVN article. Shane's World is a member of the Free Speech Coalition.

2007-11-14 Case re Section 2257 Struck Down
In-depth discussion of what's unconstitutional about 2257

2008-04-10 6th Circuit Grants Rehearing in 2257 Case
The saga continues

2008-06-09 Isaacs Obscenity Trial Upcoming
Los Angeles. Defendant Ira Isaacs. Videos include defecation, bestiality.

2009-06-29 Recession So Bad Even Sex Doesn't Sell
Article

2009-07-27 Torture Portal Indicted on 8 Obscenity Counts
Article

2257 Blows
Forum "for all who are involved in adult and affected by 2257, but most importantly also for the talent, performers and models implicated, which 2257 actually pertains to. Come discuss, rant, and exchange your views about this hot and never ending issue and anything else you may have on your chest."

Adult Freedom Foundation
"Defending the Adult Industry"

AEBN's Content Restrictions
Streaming-video and downloadable-video co-op megasite. In email dated December 7, 2005: "We at AEBN ... adhere strictly to obscenity laws. The following categories describe the only content AEBN will not accept: Under age. Bestiality. Incest. Scat. Abduction/Chloroform/Rape."

Article: Just How Bad is Porn, Anyway?
Writer looks at studies and statistics.

Barbara Nitke's CDA Lawsuit (Obscenity)

CCBill's Acceptable Use Policies, Jun 2005, html
But here's the version CCBill emailed to a client in September 2005: CCBill's ''AUP'' limits - cannot have on webpages/site and cannot link to such webpages/sites. Any and all depictions and/or actual occurrences and/or content and/or marketing and/or references to: 1. Underage: Provocative and/or Non-Provocative; including Hentai or animations. - 2. Rape: Rape, involuntary sex or forced sex; in all mediums including Hentai or animations. - 3. Bodily Excretions: Scat/fecal matter, person to person watersports, and/or a woman's period or menstruation. - 4. Extreme Violence: Acts of extreme violence, and/or depictions of extreme violence in all mediums including Hentai or animations. Extreme pain and/or implying and/or suggesting extreme pain. Flogging (severe beating). - 5. Bloodletting or Bloodshed. Consumption of Blood. (Webmasters note! The blood rule can affect your linking to vampire fetish, goth fetish, and horror movie fetish sites!) Self-mutilation. Cannibalism. Depiction of gore inflicted by oneself and/or another individual or group. 'Snuff' or 'Fantasy Snuff' content and/or content involving or implying death or serious bodily injury. Autopsy photos. (Webmasters note: This can affect your linking to necro fetish and "darksites".) - 6. Diaper Fetish: Diapers, Diaper Fetish and/or sites which depict models in diapers in all mediums including Hentai or animations; Sexual or Non-Sexual. --- Forbidden on CCBill's website but not mentioned in the email list: Bestiality, Incest. --- Not forbidden on CCBill's website and not in the email list, but forbidden according to CCBill staff: Chloroform (chloro, chloroformed), Kidnap (kidnapped, kidnapping), Ransom.

CCBill's Acceptable Use Policies, Nov 2003, html

Child Online Protection Act outcome

First Amendment - Justice Douglas' opinion
Justice Douglas' dissenting opinion: "The idea that the First Amendment permits government to ban publications that are 'offensive' to some people puts an ominous gloss on freedom of the press. That test would make it possible to ban any paper or any journal or magazine in some benighted place. The First Amendment was designed 'to invite dispute,' to induce 'a condition of unrest,' to 'create dissatisfaction with conditions as they are,' and even to stir 'people to anger.' The idea that the First Amendment permits punishment for ideas that are 'offensive' to the particular judge or jury sitting in judgment is astounding. No greater leveler of speech or literature has ever been designed. To give the power to the censor, as we do today, is to make a sharp and radical break with the traditions of a free society. The First Amendment was not fashioned as a vehicle for dispensing tranquilizers to the people. Its prime function was to keep debate open to 'offensive' as well as to 'staid' people. The tendency throughout history has been to subdue the individual and to exalt the power of government. The use of the standard 'offensive' gives authority to government that cuts the very vitals out of the First Amendment. As is intimated by the Court's opinion, the materials before us may be garbage. But so is much of what is said in political campaigns, in the daily press, on TV, or over the radio. By reason of the First Amendment - and solely because of it - speakers and publishers have not been threatened or subdued because their thoughts and ideas may be 'offensive' to some."

First Amendment Ally: American Civil Liberties Union
"Our job is to conserve America's original civic values - the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." Mission includes preservation of First Amendment rights -- freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press; freedom of religion supported by strict separation of church and state; right to privacy.

First Amendment Ally: Americans United
Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Founded in 1947 as non-sectarian non-partisan organization.

First Amendment Ally: Freedom Forum
Non-partisan foundation dedicated to free press and free speech.

First Amendment Ally: Internet Freedom Association
Non-profit corporation dedicated to protecting the right of adults to display/receive erotic or adult material.

First Amendment Ally: National Coalition Against Censorship
Alliance of 50 national non-profit organizations supporting freedom of thought, inquiry and expression.

First Amendment Ally: People for the American Way
Affirmation of the American Way - pluralism, individuality, freedom of thought, expression and religion, sense of community and tolerance and compassion for others.

First Amendment Ally: TV Watch
Coalition that opposes government control of TV programming.

Free Speech Coalition

Lorelei at AdultWhosWho.com
An adult-industry site for networking. I don't use it but, okay, I made a page there in case anyone needed to find me.

No correlative relationship between porn and rape
Since approximately 1993, the internet has dramatically increased the amount of porn viewed by U.S. citizens. Rape has decreased during this time period, not increased.

Obscenity notes at WorldGroups.com
U.S. Federal obscenity indictments since 1995 that specify or describe the subject matter alleged to be obscene: "The web sites, including 'forbiddenvideos.com', were used to advertise and distribute [content] depicting rape scenes, sexual torture, and urination and defecation in conjunction with sex acts ." ... "depicted scenes of rape, described and pandered on the website as follows: 'Want a video of a REAL RAPE? This is no joke.' " (United States. v. Clarence Thomas Gartman, Brent Alan McDowell & Lou Anthony Santilena, U. S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2004 ) -- "Video tapes, DVDs and computer video files. . .depicting sexually explicit scenes of defecation, urination and flatus..." [flatus = flatulence] (United States v. Michael J. Corbett, Sharon E. Corbett, Joseph Tanner, Randall Rogers, U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, 2003) -- "Videotapes identified as "PS-143: UR-A-Peen" and "MV-115: Rape and Sodomize."" j (United States v. Thomas W. Lambert and Sanford Wasserman, U.S. District Court, District of Montana, 2004) -- "Video tapes depicting rape scenes... described on the [defendants' ]web site as follows: 'Want a video of a REAL RAPE? This is no joke, they actually raped a girl and made this video. She is about 20 yrs. old, a very loud screamer, and cries like a baby. . . . She pleads for mercy and begs the men to stop the tape. The men tie her up and have their way with her, including shoving a BASEBALL BAT into her small pussy, pouring hot wax IN her pussy and mouth!' ; "...video tapes...described on the web site as follows: 'This girl gets her tits slashed by a sharp knife and 4 fingers shoved in her ass! 60 minutes.'" (United States v. Garry Layne Ragsdale, Tamara Michelle Ragsdale, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2003) -- "Video tapes which depicted graphic sexual acts including sexual intercourse between humans and animals, urination, defecation, and fisting...". (United States v. Gary A. Robinson, U.S. District Court, District of Montana, 2004) -- "Videotapes and DVDs depicting sexually explicit content involving ... sadistic and masochistic conduct, defecation, urination, and bestiality." (United States v. Ronald G. Urbassik, Alina D. Urbassik, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2004)

Opt-Out Child Email Registry - Michigan

Parents in Adult
"Serving parents working in the adult industry"

Recordkeeping for Non-US Producers
Info for non-US producers who want to market their material to US websites.

Recordkeeping System - Free - 2257Software.org
Free, but you have to know how to install it to run on your database programs.

Recordkeeping System for BrainCash Affiliates

Recordkeeping System: OMARS
System for running company and site with integrated 2257 recordkeeping included.

Recordkeeping System: 2257 Compliance

Recordkeeping System: KeepMyRecords.com
Offsite Custodian of Records service. Now closed due to latest version of 18 USC 2257.

Recordkeeping System: MAVIS and 2257Ware
Includes a URL-import module.

Recordkeeping System: YTracker

Sexuality-Related Laws in Europe
Outdated, but interesting.

Supreme Court Kills COPA Law
"In 1998, the U.S. Congress enacted the Child Online Protection Act (COPA), a law intended to control child access to sexually explicit material on the Internet. The law was immediately challenged on free speech and other grounds and its enforcement was delayed. After ten years of litigation, on January 22 the U.S. Supreme Court dealt the final blow to the law..."

Verotel's Content Compliance Policy
As of February 2006: No underage content and no use of words "little", "teen", "young", or "lolita". No nudist sites and no use of term "nudist". No scat and no use of term "scat". (Verotel's position on aby sites is not clear.) No real, simulated or implied death, dead people, executions or suicide. (Verotel's position on goth/vampire sites is not clear.) No propaganda of nazi, terrorist, anti-semitic, discriminatory propoganda. No photos, videos, drawings, cartoons or computer animations of real, simulated or implied rape or sexual assault, and no use of terms "rape" or "rapist". No photos, videos, drawings, cartoons or computer animations of real, simulated or implied incest, and no use of terms "incest", "family", "daughter", "son", "father", "mother", "uncle", "aunt", "niece", "nephew", or "cousin" used in relation to sexual conduct. No photos, videos, drawsings, cartoons or computer animations of real, simulated or implied bestiality. No newsgroup sites.

Webmaster's Primer on 2257 Compliance
Article by attorney.