Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 2319B: Unauthorized recording of Motion pictures in a Motion picture exhibition facility

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits unauthorized recording of motion pictures in theaters. Violations carry up to 3 years imprisonment for first offense; up to 6 years for repeat offenses.

Read the full statutory text
be imprisoned for not more than 3 years, fined under this title, or both; or if the offense is a second or subsequent offense, be imprisoned for no more than 6 years, fined under this title, or both. Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution relating to this section shall be subject to section 2323, to the extent provided in that section, in addition to any other similar remedies provided by law. This section does not prevent any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity by an officer, agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State, or by a person acting under a contract with the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State. may detain, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time, any person suspected of a violation of this section with respect to that motion picture or audiovisual work for the purpose of questioning or summoning a law enforcement officer; and shall not be held liable in any civil or criminal action arising out of a detention under paragraph (1). During the preparation of the presentence report under rule 32(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, victims of an offense under this section shall be permitted to submit to the probation officer a victim impact statement that identifies the victim of the offense and the extent and scope of the injury and loss suffered by the victim, including the estimated economic impact of the offense on that victim. producers and sellers of legitimate works affected by conduct involved in the offense; holders of intellectual property rights in the works described in subparagraph (A); and the legal representatives of such producers, sellers, and holders. Nothing in this section may be construed to annul or limit any rights or remedies under the laws of any State. The terms “audiovisual work”, “copy”, “copyright owner”, “motion picture”, “motion picture exhibition facility”, and “transmit” have, respectively, the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 17 . The term “audiovisual recording device” means a digital or analog photographic or video camera, or any other technology or device capable of enabling the recording or transmission of a copyrighted motion picture or other audiovisual work, or any part thereof, regardless of whether audiovisual recording is the sole or primary purpose of the device.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.