Expert: Dan Pepper - 1/10/2012

Question
Dear Dan,

I have a range of questions that that I would like to ask as follows,

I am a resident of Australia inquiring about the prospect of starting a website hosted in the USA but set up and operated from Australia. My question is in regards to my US 2257 obligations and whether I can store copies of identification in Australia of models that appear on my website, or do they have to be stored in the USA?

Another question is in regards to whether you have to be a registered business to host an adult content website in the USA or can you run an adult content site as a hobby that may one day turn into a business?

If I was to pay models that are residence of USA in exchange for sets of images, is it solely up to the individual receiving the payment to report that payment on there income tax reports, or do I also have a responsibility?

If I purchase images from models to display on my website and keep the required US 2257 records myself along with a signed model release form and copyright ownership of the images,do the models also have to have keep records themselves because they produced the images in the first place?

If the model produces images and it is restricted to produces images of sexual nature in her state is she breaking any laws for providing them to me?, and am I for displaying them on my website? The type of images I would be requesting would be individual still photos of models that contain no sexual acts with another person, but do contain nudity and may contain female genitalia.

I look forward to any thoughts or reply that you may provide me with, and thank you in advance for taking the time to read my questions

Regards

Answer
Alvis,

Thanks for your questions.  Unfortunately, you are asking for specific legal advice which I cannot provide in this forum.  I would be happy to discuss these questions with you directly if you'd like to contact me through my website at http://www.adultwebsitelawyer.com.

Thanks,
Dan