2257

2257 refers to 18 U.S.C. § 2257, a United States federal statute enacted as part of the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988. The law imposes record-keeping and age-verification requirements on producers of sexually explicit content to ensure that performers are at least 18 years old at the time of production.

Scope and requirements: The statute applies to individuals or entities engaged in the business of producing, distributing, or disseminating visual depictions of actual sexual conduct. Producers must create and maintain records for each performer showing the performer’s true name, date of birth, stage name (if used), and the date of the performance, along with the production’s title and the production company. They must also retain copies of documents used to verify age (such as government-issued identification). The records must be kept at a designated location and be available for inspection by federal authorities.

Enforcement and penalties: Violations may subject a person to criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment, with enforcement carried out by federal agencies. Penalties can be substantial and may apply per depiction, affecting individuals and corporations involved in the production, distribution, or marketing of the material.

History and impact: Passed in 1988 as part of a broader approach to obscenity enforcement, 2257 has been central to debates over age verification, privacy, and the regulatory burden on the adult entertainment industry. In practice, many production companies and platforms maintain 2257-compliant records to mitigate legal risk and ensure compliance with the statute.