Expert: Dan Pepper - 4/27/2008

Question
Dan,

I am in start up mode in an Adult Production company.

My business will deal with shooting content that will be sold to existing online Adult media suppliers.

Where is a good place to source all the info so I can make sure this is done correctly and by the book? And also to be equip myself on the general mechanics and legal mechanics of the industry?

I need to find out more about complying with 18 USC 2257 - the federal record keeping requirements.

Also I need to know about contracts in general and Re: the international legal arena, considering I am also looking to get content shot outside the US. I want everything legitimate and legally binding.

I look forward to your reply and thanks for your time.

Regards,
Nate

Answer
You've asked some very broad and complex questions, of which it is impossible for me to fully and completely answer here.

1.  Where is a good place to source all the info so I can make sure this is done correctly and by the book?  And also to be equip myself on the general mechanics and legal mechanics of the industry?

I know of no one single place to get ALL of the legal and business information you need to start and run every aspect of an adult film business.  It simply doesn't exist.  Laws vary by geographic location, the nature of the content you wish to shoot, how you plan on getting your talent, understanding copyright and trademark laws, licensing parameters and mechanics, and the list goes on.

It's not a bad idea to start learning about your state's obscenity laws.  You can check those out here:  http://www.moralityinmedia.org/nolc/index.htm?statutesIndex.htm

2.  I need to find out more about complying with 18 USC 2257 - the federal record keeping requirements.

The federal statute and accompanying regulations, as well as certain explanatory comments from the Department of Justice can be found here:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title28/28c...
http://www.openmindmedia.com/records/response.html

3.  Also I need to know about contracts in general and Re: the international legal arena, considering I am also looking to get content shot outside the US. I want everything legitimate and legally binding.

Quite simply, this is why you hire a qualified lawyer in this area.  It is impossible to run a successful adult production company on the cheap - and frankly, since the penalties of getting it wrong mean jail time, I'm not sure why anybody would NOT want to get into this business without a lawyer.