All For You

Title 18, § 2257, are really just shorthand for a law in the United States that revolves around the models involved in sexual activity being over 18 years of age.

Title 18 U.S.C. 2257 is the Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance law. In which (without getting to legal) states that you need to have proof that a model is over 18 years of ago if they are involved in anything sexual. Specifically Title 18, section 2257 states …

All models, actors, actresses and other persons that appear in any visual depiction of actual sexual conduct appearing or otherwise contained in the “website” were over the age of eighteen years at the time of the creation of such depictions. All other visual depictions displayed on this website are exempt from the provision of 18 U.S.C. 2257 and 28 C.F.R. 75 because any of said visual depictions which appear to be of sexually explicit conduct are merely simulated. With respect to all visual depictions displayed on this website, whether of actual sexual conduct, simulated sexual content or otherwise, all persons in said visual depictions were at least 18 years of age when said visual depictions were created.

So what exactly does that mean to you? Well the answer to that really depends on exactly what kind of website you run and what type of content you have. In short, you want to always know for a 100% fact that every model who appears on your website, male or female is over the age of 18 at the time they took the photo or performed in your video. You not only want to know for a fact that they are over 18 but you want to have proof of it.

If you are not the primary producer of the content - like say you have some affiliate content on your site from some sponsor, you want to damn well make sure that you trust them enough to have the required data on file. In most cases, the person who produces the content keeps all those types of records on file but in some cases, they affiliates themself also keep a copy if they are going to display the photos / videos on their website.

So what exactly do you need? Well first you need a signed model release. This is basically a document that states they are in fact over 18, not drunk or high and are fully aware of what they are signing, how much they are to be paid for the photo shoot and they agree that you the photographer own all the rights to the photo / videos they are about to make with you. The model release at the very bottom must include the date, the name of the model (printed), their signature, their social security number and one or two witnesses.

Then if all of that wasn’t enough, they must then provide you with two forms of valid ID, one should be a state issued identification card or a driver’s license. The other form can be something like a credit card in their name or their social security card. You must have a copy of these to include in their file and the copy of these must be legible so be very careful here when making copies. You want to make sure everything can be read. You then want a photo of them holding these two forms of ID and then it would probably be a good idea to photo / video then signing the model release stating I AM OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE verbally (if shooting the model release video).

Also in some cases they have asked that you gather the other names the person has performed under. Like with Lanny Barby, she has performed under the names Lanny Barbie and Lani, so you would include those names in your file for her.

Record keeping is a very time consuming job but it is important because it is the one thing that can keep your ass out of jail if the feds come knocking at your door and trust me, it *CAN* happen to you. Don’t think that it won’t. GET LEGAL AND STAY THAT WAY. Make sure that every model that appears on your website is over 18 and be ready to back it up with hardcore proof. This is especially the case with webmasters who run those “teen” websites because they are looked at more closely than say someone who runs a MILF site where the girls are very clearly over 25.

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