California · Penal Code

PEN §653z: (a) Every person who operates a recording device in a motion picture theater while a motion picture is being exhibited, for the purpose of recording a theatrical motion picture and without the express

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A person who operates a recording device in a movie theater to record a film without the theater owner's written permission commits a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine up to $5,000, or both.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Every person who operates a recording device in a motion picture theater while a motion picture is being exhibited, for the purpose of recording a theatrical motion picture and without the express written authority of the owner of the motion picture theater, is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Recording device” means a photographic, digital or video camera, or other audio or video recording device capable of recording the sounds and images of a motion picture or any portion of a motion picture. (2) “Motion picture theater” means a theater or other premises in which a motion picture is exhibited. (c) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under any other provision of law.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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