{
  "batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
  "articles": [
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_anchor",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code: official statute index",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The Ohio Revised Code is the official codified law of the state of Ohio, organized into 31 general titles broken into chapters and sections, maintained by the Legislative Service Commission at codes.ohio.gov.",
      "body": "The Ohio Revised Code is the official codified law of the state of Ohio, organized into 31 general titles broken into chapters and sections, maintained by the Legislative Service Commission at codes.ohio.gov.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation. Ohio Revised Code Title General Provisions Title 1 | State Government Title 3 | Counties Title 5 | Townships Title 7 | Municipal Corporations Title 9 | Agriculture-Animals-Fences Title 11 | Banks-Savings and Loan Associations Title 13 | Commercial Transactions Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources Title 17 | Corporations-Partnerships Title 19 | Courts-Municipal-Mayor's-County Title 21 | Courts-Probate-Juvenile Title 23 | Courts-Common Pleas Title 25 | Courts-Appellate Title 27 | Courts-General Provisions-Special Remedies Title 29 | Crimes-Procedure Title 31 | Domestic Relations-Children Title 33 | Education-Libraries Title 35 | Elections Title 37 | Health-Safety-Morals Title 39 | Insurance Title 41 | Labor and Industry Title 43 | Liquor Title 45 | Motor Vehicles-Aeronautics-Watercraft Title 47 | Occupations-Professions Title 49 | Public Utilities Title 51 | Public Welfare Title 53 | Real Property Title 55 | Roads-Highways-Bridges Title 57 | Taxation Title 58 | Trusts Title 59 | Veterans-Military Affairs Title 61 | Water Supply-Sanitation-Ditches Title 63 | Workforce Development”\n\nNote: Anchor record for Ohio Revised Code official index page showing all 31 titles.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation. Ohio Revised Code Title General Provisions Title 1 | State Government Title 3 | Counties Title 5 | Townships Title 7 | Municipal Corporations Title 9 | Agriculture-Animals-Fences Title 11 | Banks-Savings and Loan Associations Title 13 | Commercial Transactions Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources Title 17 | Corporations-Partnerships Title 19 | Courts-Municipal-Mayor's-County Title 21 | Courts-Probate-Juvenile Title 23 | Courts-Common Pleas Title 25 | Courts-Appellate Title 27 | Courts-General Provisions-Special Remedies Title 29 | Crimes-Procedure Title 31 | Domestic Relations-Children Title 33 | Education-Libraries Title 35 | Elections Title 37 | Health-Safety-Morals Title 39 | Insurance Title 41 | Labor and Industry Title 43 | Liquor Title 45 | Motor Vehicles-Aeronautics-Watercraft Title 47 | Occupations-Professions Title 49 | Public Utilities Title 51 | Public Welfare Title 53 | Real Property Title 55 | Roads-Highways-Bridges Title 57 | Taxation Title 58 | Trusts Title 59 | Veterans-Military Affairs Title 61 | Water Supply-Sanitation-Ditches Title 63 | Workforce Development",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code",
      "topic": "official statute index",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio-specific statute compilation",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "choosing",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_recording_consent",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code § 2933.52: recording and interception statute — one-party consent",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio is a ONE-PARTY consent state for recording wire, oral, or electronic communications; a person who is a party to the communication or has prior consent from one party may lawfully intercept it, unless done for a criminal or tortious purpose.",
      "body": "Ohio is a ONE-PARTY consent state for recording wire, oral, or electronic communications; a person who is a party to the communication or has prior consent from one party may lawfully intercept it, unless done for a criminal or tortious purpose.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(4) A person who is not a law enforcement officer and who intercepts a wire, oral, or electronic communication, if the person is a party to the communication or if one of the parties to the communication has given the person prior consent to the interception, and if the communication is not intercepted for the purpose of committing a criminal offense or tortious act in violation of the laws or Constitution of the United States or this state or for the purpose of committing any other injurious act; (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications, a felony of the fourth degree.”\n\nNote: Ohio's wiretap statute § 2933.52(B)(4) establishes one-party consent. For a two-person shoot, either participant may record audio without the other's consent so long as the recording is not for a criminal or tortious purpose. Video without audio is not covered by this statute.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2933.52",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(4) A person who is not a law enforcement officer and who intercepts a wire, oral, or electronic communication, if the person is a party to the communication or if one of the parties to the communication has given the person prior consent to the interception, and if the communication is not intercepted for the purpose of committing a criminal offense or tortious act in violation of the laws or Constitution of the United States or this state or for the purpose of committing any other injurious act; (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications, a felony of the fourth degree.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code § 2933.52",
      "topic": "recording and interception statute — one-party consent",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 29, Chapter 2933",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.content",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_voyeurism",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code § 2907.08: video voyeurism / unlawful surveillance",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio's voyeurism statute prohibits secretly or surreptitiously recording another person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy for the purpose of viewing private areas, recording through clothing, or recording a minor's private areas, with penalties ranging from third-degree misdemeanor to fifth-degree felony.",
      "body": "Ohio's voyeurism statute prohibits secretly or surreptitiously recording another person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy for the purpose of viewing private areas, recording through clothing, or recording a minor's private areas, with penalties ranging from third-degree misdemeanor to fifth-degree felony.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(B) No person shall knowingly commit trespass or otherwise secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, broadcast, stream, or otherwise record another person, in a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, for the purpose of viewing the private areas of that person. (C) No person shall knowingly commit trespass or otherwise secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, broadcast, stream, or otherwise record a minor, in a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, for the purpose of viewing the private areas of the minor. (D) No person shall secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, or otherwise record another person above, under, or through the clothing being worn by that other person for the purpose of viewing the body of, or the undergarments worn by, that other person. (E)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of voyeurism. (3) A violation of division (B) of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree. (4) A violation of division (D) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. (5) A violation of division (C) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree.”\n\nNote: Requires 'secretly or surreptitiously' recording and 'purpose of viewing private areas.' A consensual two-person adult shoot in a private setting where both parties know they are being recorded would not violate this statute, as it lacks the surreptitious element and the requisite sexual-gratification purpose.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2907.08",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(B) No person shall knowingly commit trespass or otherwise secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, broadcast, stream, or otherwise record another person, in a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, for the purpose of viewing the private areas of that person. (C) No person shall knowingly commit trespass or otherwise secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, broadcast, stream, or otherwise record a minor, in a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, for the purpose of viewing the private areas of the minor. (D) No person shall secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, or otherwise record another person above, under, or through the clothing being worn by that other person for the purpose of viewing the body of, or the undergarments worn by, that other person. (E)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of voyeurism. (3) A violation of division (B) of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree. (4) A violation of division (D) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. (5) A violation of division (C) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code § 2907.08",
      "topic": "video voyeurism / unlawful surveillance",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 29, Chapter 2907 Sex Offenses",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "running",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.content",
          "safety.harm",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "explicit_solo"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_ncimage",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code § 2917.211: non-consensual intimate image distribution — including synthetic/altered depictions",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio prohibits knowingly disseminating private sexual images of adults without consent and with intent to harm (division B), disseminating fabricated sexual images without consent (division C), and creating or soliciting fabricated sexual images to harass or harm (division D); penalties range from fifth-degree to third-degree felonies depending on prior offenses.",
      "body": "Ohio prohibits knowingly disseminating private sexual images of adults without consent and with intent to harm (division B), disseminating fabricated sexual images without consent (division C), and creating or soliciting fabricated sexual images to harass or harm (division D); penalties range from fifth-degree to third-degree felonies depending on prior offenses.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(B) No person shall knowingly disseminate an image of another person if all of the following apply: (1) The person in the image is eighteen years of age or older. (2) The person in the image can be identified from the image itself or from information displayed in connection with the image and the offender supplied the identifying information. (3) The person in the image is in a state of nudity or is engaged in a sexual act. (4) The image is disseminated without consent from the person in the image. (5) The image is disseminated with intent to harm the person in the image. (C) No person shall knowingly disseminate a fabricated sexual image of another person without the other person's consent. (D) No person shall, without the consent of the depicted person, in order to harass, extort, threaten, or cause physical, emotional, reputational, or economic harm to a person falsely depicted, knowingly do either of the following: (1) Create a fabricated sexual image with intent to distribute; (2) Solicit the creation of a fabricated sexual image with intent to distribute. (H)(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(1)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a felony of the fifth degree. (2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(2)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (C) of this section is guilty of nonconsensual dissemination of fabricated sexual images, a felony of the fourth degree. (3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(3)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (D) of this section is guilty of nonconsensual creation of fabricated sexual images, a felony of the fourth degree.”\n\nNote: 'Fabricated sexual image' is defined in § 2307.66 and covers AI-generated or otherwise synthetic depictions. A two-person adult shoot stays outside this statute by obtaining clear consent from both parties for any dissemination, and not disseminating with intent to harm. The lawful-public-purpose and artistic-expression exceptions in (E)(3) and (E)(6) may also apply to legitimate adult content creation.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2917.211",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(B) No person shall knowingly disseminate an image of another person if all of the following apply: (1) The person in the image is eighteen years of age or older. (2) The person in the image can be identified from the image itself or from information displayed in connection with the image and the offender supplied the identifying information. (3) The person in the image is in a state of nudity or is engaged in a sexual act. (4) The image is disseminated without consent from the person in the image. (5) The image is disseminated with intent to harm the person in the image. (C) No person shall knowingly disseminate a fabricated sexual image of another person without the other person's consent. (D) No person shall, without the consent of the depicted person, in order to harass, extort, threaten, or cause physical, emotional, reputational, or economic harm to a person falsely depicted, knowingly do either of the following: (1) Create a fabricated sexual image with intent to distribute; (2) Solicit the creation of a fabricated sexual image with intent to distribute. (H)(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(1)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a felony of the fifth degree. (2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(2)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (C) of this section is guilty of nonconsensual dissemination of fabricated sexual images, a felony of the fourth degree. (3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(3)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (D) of this section is guilty of nonconsensual creation of fabricated sexual images, a felony of the fourth degree.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code § 2917.211",
      "topic": "non-consensual intimate image distribution — including synthetic/altered depictions",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 29, Chapter 2917 Offenses Against the Public Peace",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.content",
          "safety.harm",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "explicit_solo"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_obscenity_definition",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code § 2907.01(F): obscenity definition",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio defines 'obscene' material or performance as that which, when considered as a whole and judged by ordinary adult standards, has dominant appeal to prurient interest, or dominant tendency to arouse lust by depicting sexual activity/masturbation/nudity as mere objects of sexual appetite, or by depicting bestiality/extreme violence, or by appealing to scatological interest, or contains a series of such depictions whose cumulative effect appeals to prurient or scatological interest primarily for its own sake or commercial exploitation rather than genuine scientific, educational, sociological, moral, or artistic purpose.",
      "body": "Ohio defines 'obscene' material or performance as that which, when considered as a whole and judged by ordinary adult standards, has dominant appeal to prurient interest, or dominant tendency to arouse lust by depicting sexual activity/masturbation/nudity as mere objects of sexual appetite, or by depicting bestiality/extreme violence, or by appealing to scatological interest, or contains a series of such depictions whose cumulative effect appeals to prurient or scatological interest primarily for its own sake or commercial exploitation rather than genuine scientific, educational, sociological, moral, or artistic purpose.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(F) When considered as a whole, and judged with reference to ordinary adults or, if it is designed for sexual deviates or other specially susceptible group, judged with reference to that group, any material or performance is \"obscene\" if any of the following apply: (1) Its dominant appeal is to prurient interest; (2) Its dominant tendency is to arouse lust by displaying or depicting sexual activity, masturbation, sexual excitement, or nudity in a way that tends to represent human beings as mere objects of sexual appetite; (3) Its dominant tendency is to arouse lust by displaying or depicting bestiality or extreme or bizarre violence, cruelty, or brutality; (4) Its dominant tendency is to appeal to scatological interest by displaying or depicting human bodily functions of elimination in a way that inspires disgust or revulsion in persons with ordinary sensibilities, without serving any genuine scientific, educational, sociological, moral, or artistic purpose; (5) It contains a series of displays or descriptions of sexual activity, masturbation, sexual excitement, nudity, bestiality, extreme or bizarre violence, cruelty, or brutality, or human bodily functions of elimination, the cumulative effect of which is a dominant tendency to appeal to prurient or scatological interest, when the appeal to such an interest is primarily for its own sake or for commercial exploitation, rather than primarily for a genuine scientific, educational, sociological, moral, or artistic purpose.”\n\nNote: This is the Miller-test-style definition used for all obscenity prosecutions in Ohio. Adult content creators should note that material with serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value is excluded from the definition.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2907.01",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(F) When considered as a whole, and judged with reference to ordinary adults or, if it is designed for sexual deviates or other specially susceptible group, judged with reference to that group, any material or performance is \"obscene\" if any of the following apply: (1) Its dominant appeal is to prurient interest; (2) Its dominant tendency is to arouse lust by displaying or depicting sexual activity, masturbation, sexual excitement, or nudity in a way that tends to represent human beings as mere objects of sexual appetite; (3) Its dominant tendency is to arouse lust by displaying or depicting bestiality or extreme or bizarre violence, cruelty, or brutality; (4) Its dominant tendency is to appeal to scatological interest by displaying or depicting human bodily functions of elimination in a way that inspires disgust or revulsion in persons with ordinary sensibilities, without serving any genuine scientific, educational, sociological, moral, or artistic purpose; (5) It contains a series of displays or descriptions of sexual activity, masturbation, sexual excitement, nudity, bestiality, extreme or bizarre violence, cruelty, or brutality, or human bodily functions of elimination, the cumulative effect of which is a dominant tendency to appeal to prurient or scatological interest, when the appeal to such an interest is primarily for its own sake or for commercial exploitation, rather than primarily for a genuine scientific, educational, sociological, moral, or artistic purpose.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code § 2907.01(F)",
      "topic": "obscenity definition",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 29, Chapter 2907 Sex Offenses — applies to sections 2907.01 to 2907.38 and 2917.211",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "running",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.content",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "explicit_solo"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_obscenity_distribution",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code § 2907.32: obscenity distribution offense — pandering obscenity",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio prohibits creating, reproducing, publishing, promoting, selling, delivering, publicly disseminating, displaying, exhibiting, presenting, renting, or providing obscene material with knowledge of its character and for commercial exploitation or public dissemination; also prohibits creating/directing obscene performances for commercial exploitation or public presentation, and possessing obscene material with purpose to distribute; penalty is a felony of the fifth degree (fourth degree for repeat offenders).",
      "body": "Ohio prohibits creating, reproducing, publishing, promoting, selling, delivering, publicly disseminating, displaying, exhibiting, presenting, renting, or providing obscene material with knowledge of its character and for commercial exploitation or public dissemination; also prohibits creating/directing obscene performances for commercial exploitation or public presentation, and possessing obscene material with purpose to distribute; penalty is a felony of the fifth degree (fourth degree for repeat offenders).\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(A) No person, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, shall do any of the following: (1) Create, reproduce, or publish any obscene material, when the offender knows that the material is to be used for commercial exploitation or will be publicly disseminated or displayed, or when the offender is reckless in that regard; (2) Promote or advertise for sale, delivery, or dissemination; sell, deliver, publicly disseminate, publicly display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide; or offer or agree to sell, deliver, publicly disseminate, publicly display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide, any obscene material; (3) Create, direct, or produce an obscene performance, when the offender knows that it is to be used for commercial exploitation or will be publicly presented, or when the offender is reckless in that regard; (4) Advertise or promote an obscene performance for presentation, or present or participate in presenting an obscene performance, when the performance is presented publicly, or when admission is charged; (5) Buy, procure, possess, or control any obscene material with purpose to violate division (A)(2) or (4) of this section. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of pandering obscenity, a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section or of section 2907.31 of the Revised Code, then pandering obscenity is a felony of the fourth degree.”\n\nNote: Affirmative defense in (B) for bona fide medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purposes. A two-person adult shoot distributed commercially (e.g., on OnlyFans) could be prosecuted if the material meets the § 2907.01(F) obscenity definition and lacks serious artistic value. Most mainstream adult content platforms rely on the 'serious artistic value' prong and the fact that material is not 'patently offensive' under community standards.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2907.32",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(A) No person, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, shall do any of the following: (1) Create, reproduce, or publish any obscene material, when the offender knows that the material is to be used for commercial exploitation or will be publicly disseminated or displayed, or when the offender is reckless in that regard; (2) Promote or advertise for sale, delivery, or dissemination; sell, deliver, publicly disseminate, publicly display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide; or offer or agree to sell, deliver, publicly disseminate, publicly display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide, any obscene material; (3) Create, direct, or produce an obscene performance, when the offender knows that it is to be used for commercial exploitation or will be publicly presented, or when the offender is reckless in that regard; (4) Advertise or promote an obscene performance for presentation, or present or participate in presenting an obscene performance, when the performance is presented publicly, or when admission is charged; (5) Buy, procure, possess, or control any obscene material with purpose to violate division (A)(2) or (4) of this section. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of pandering obscenity, a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section or of section 2907.31 of the Revised Code, then pandering obscenity is a felony of the fourth degree.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code § 2907.32",
      "topic": "obscenity distribution offense — pandering obscenity",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 29, Chapter 2907 Sex Offenses",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "running",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.content",
          "safety.legal",
          "money.fees"
        ],
        "explicitness": "explicit_solo"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_indecent_exposure",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code § 2907.09: public indecency / indecent exposure — potential reach to filmed performance",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio's public indecency statute prohibits recklessly exposing private parts or engaging in sexual conduct/masturbation under circumstances likely to be viewed by and affront others in the person's physical proximity; it requires the conduct to occur in the physical presence of non-household members, making it inapplicable to filmed performances distributed online or in private settings.",
      "body": "Ohio's public indecency statute prohibits recklessly exposing private parts or engaging in sexual conduct/masturbation under circumstances likely to be viewed by and affront others in the person's physical proximity; it requires the conduct to occur in the physical presence of non-household members, making it inapplicable to filmed performances distributed online or in private settings.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(A) No person shall recklessly do any of the following, under circumstances in which the person's conduct is likely to be viewed by and affront others who are in the person's physical proximity and who are not members of the person's household: (1) Expose the person's private parts; (2) Engage in sexual conduct or masturbation; (3) Engage in conduct that to an ordinary observer would appear to be sexual conduct or masturbation. (B) No person shall knowingly do any of the following, under circumstances in which the person's conduct is likely to be viewed by and affront another person who is in the person's physical proximity, who is a minor, and who is not the spouse of the offender: (1) Engage in masturbation; (2) Engage in sexual conduct; (3) Engage in conduct that to an ordinary observer would appear to be sexual conduct or masturbation; (4) Expose the person's private parts with the purpose of personal sexual arousal or gratification or to lure the minor into sexual activity.”\n\nNote: The statute's 'physical proximity' and 'likely to be viewed by and affront others who are in the person's physical proximity' language limits it to live, in-person conduct. A filmed adult performance created in a private studio and distributed online would not violate this statute, as the viewers are not in the performer's physical proximity at the time of the conduct. Only a live public performance (e.g., at a club or outdoor location) could trigger it.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2907.09",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(A) No person shall recklessly do any of the following, under circumstances in which the person's conduct is likely to be viewed by and affront others who are in the person's physical proximity and who are not members of the person's household: (1) Expose the person's private parts; (2) Engage in sexual conduct or masturbation; (3) Engage in conduct that to an ordinary observer would appear to be sexual conduct or masturbation. (B) No person shall knowingly do any of the following, under circumstances in which the person's conduct is likely to be viewed by and affront another person who is in the person's physical proximity, who is a minor, and who is not the spouse of the offender: (1) Engage in masturbation; (2) Engage in sexual conduct; (3) Engage in conduct that to an ordinary observer would appear to be sexual conduct or masturbation; (4) Expose the person's private parts with the purpose of personal sexual arousal or gratification or to lure the minor into sexual activity.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code § 2907.09",
      "topic": "public indecency / indecent exposure — potential reach to filmed performance",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 29, Chapter 2907 Sex Offenses — applies to live, in-person conduct only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "running",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.content",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "explicit_solo"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r198_ohio_video_recording_and_obscenity_statutes_ohio_right_publicity",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2741 (§§ 2741.01–2741.09): right of publicity / commercial appropriation of persona",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Ohio recognizes a statutory right of publicity in an individual's persona (name, voice, signature, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance) for commercial purposes during the individual's lifetime and for 60 years after death; unauthorized commercial use is prohibited without written consent from the rights owner, with civil remedies including actual damages, statutory damages ($2,500–$10,000), punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees; exceptions include literary/dramatic/audiovisual works, newsworthy material, fine art, truthful identification as performer, First Amendment-protected uses, and political campaigns.",
      "body": "Ohio recognizes a statutory right of publicity in an individual's persona (name, voice, signature, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance) for commercial purposes during the individual's lifetime and for 60 years after death; unauthorized commercial use is prohibited without written consent from the rights owner, with civil remedies including actual damages, statutory damages ($2,500–$10,000), punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees; exceptions include literary/dramatic/audiovisual works, newsworthy material, fine art, truthful identification as performer, First Amendment-protected uses, and political campaigns.\n\nWhat Ohio Legislative Service Commission actually says:\n\n“(A) \"Persona\" means an individual's name, voice, signature, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance, if any of these aspects have commercial value. (B) \"Commercial purpose\" means the use of or reference to an aspect of an individual's persona in any of the following manners: (1) On or in connection with a place, product, merchandise, goods, services, or other commercial activities not expressly exempted under this chapter; (2) For advertising or soliciting the purchase of products, merchandise, goods, services, or other commercial activities not expressly exempted under this chapter; (3) For the purpose of promoting travel to a place; (4) For the purpose of fundraising. (D) \"Right of publicity\" means the property right in an individual's persona to use the individual's persona for a commercial purpose. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not use any aspect of an individual's persona for a commercial purpose: (1) During the individual's lifetime; (2) For a period of sixty years after the date of the individual's death; or (3) For a period of ten years after the date of death of a deceased member of the Ohio national guard or the armed forces of the United States. (B) A person may use an individual's persona for a commercial purpose during the individual's lifetime if the person first obtains the written consent to use the individual's persona from a person specified in section 2741.05 of the Revised Code. (A) This chapter does not apply to any of the following: (1)(a) A literary work, dramatic work, fictional work, historical work, audiovisual work, or musical work regardless of the media in which the work appears or is transmitted, other than an advertisement or commercial announcement not exempt under division (A)(1)(d) of this section; (b) Material that has political or newsworthy value; (c) Original works of fine art; (d) An advertisement or commercial announcement for a use permitted by division (A)(1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section; (2) The use of an individual's name to truthfully identify the individual as the author of or contributor to a written work or the performer of a recorded performance under circumstances in which the written work or the recorded performance is otherwise lawfully reproduced, exhibited, or broadcast; (6) A use of the persona of an individual that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as long as the use does not convey or reasonably suggest endorsement by the individual whose persona is at issue. (A)(1) A person who violates section 2741.02 of the Revised Code is liable in a civil action to the person injured by the violation for the following: (a) Actual damages, including any profits derived from and attributable to the unauthorized use of an individual's persona for a commercial purpose as determined under division (A)(2) of this section; (b) At the election of the plaintiff and in lieu of actual damages, statutory damages in the amount of at least two thousand five hundred dollars and not more than ten thousand dollars, as determined in the discretion of the trier of fact, taking into account the willfulness of the violation, the harm to the persona in question, and the ability of the defendant to pay a civil damage award; (c) If applicable pursuant to section 2315.21 of the Revised Code, punitive or exemplary damages. (C) An action under this section shall be brought within four years of a violation of section 2741.02 of the Revised Code.”\n\nNote: A two-person adult shoot must obtain written consent from both performers for any commercial use of their personas (name, image, likeness) in marketing, ads, or merchandise. The 'audiovisual work' exception in § 2741.09(A)(1)(a) likely covers the adult content itself when lawfully distributed, but not separate promotional use of a performer's persona without consent. The statute applies to Ohio residents; out-of-state performers may rely on their home state's law.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-2741",
      "last_verified": "2026-09-13",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Ohio Legislative Service Commission",
      "evidence_quote": "(A) \"Persona\" means an individual's name, voice, signature, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance, if any of these aspects have commercial value. (B) \"Commercial purpose\" means the use of or reference to an aspect of an individual's persona in any of the following manners: (1) On or in connection with a place, product, merchandise, goods, services, or other commercial activities not expressly exempted under this chapter; (2) For advertising or soliciting the purchase of products, merchandise, goods, services, or other commercial activities not expressly exempted under this chapter; (3) For the purpose of promoting travel to a place; (4) For the purpose of fundraising. (D) \"Right of publicity\" means the property right in an individual's persona to use the individual's persona for a commercial purpose. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not use any aspect of an individual's persona for a commercial purpose: (1) During the individual's lifetime; (2) For a period of sixty years after the date of the individual's death; or (3) For a period of ten years after the date of death of a deceased member of the Ohio national guard or the armed forces of the United States. (B) A person may use an individual's persona for a commercial purpose during the individual's lifetime if the person first obtains the written consent to use the individual's persona from a person specified in section 2741.05 of the Revised Code. (A) This chapter does not apply to any of the following: (1)(a) A literary work, dramatic work, fictional work, historical work, audiovisual work, or musical work regardless of the media in which the work appears or is transmitted, other than an advertisement or commercial announcement not exempt under division (A)(1)(d) of this section; (b) Material that has political or newsworthy value; (c) Original works of fine art; (d) An advertisement or commercial announcement for a use permitted by division (A)(1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section; (2) The use of an individual's name to truthfully identify the individual as the author of or contributor to a written work or the performer of a recorded performance under circumstances in which the written work or the recorded performance is otherwise lawfully reproduced, exhibited, or broadcast; (6) A use of the persona of an individual that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as long as the use does not convey or reasonably suggest endorsement by the individual whose persona is at issue. (A)(1) A person who violates section 2741.02 of the Revised Code is liable in a civil action to the person injured by the violation for the following: (a) Actual damages, including any profits derived from and attributable to the unauthorized use of an individual's persona for a commercial purpose as determined under division (A)(2) of this section; (b) At the election of the plaintiff and in lieu of actual damages, statutory damages in the amount of at least two thousand five hundred dollars and not more than ten thousand dollars, as determined in the discretion of the trier of fact, taking into account the willfulness of the violation, the harm to the persona in question, and the ability of the defendant to pay a civil damage award; (c) If applicable pursuant to section 2315.21 of the Revised Code, punitive or exemplary damages. (C) An action under this section shall be brought within four years of a violation of section 2741.02 of the Revised Code.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "198-ohio-video-recording-and-obscenity-statutes",
      "subject": "Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2741 (§§ 2741.01–2741.09)",
      "topic": "right of publicity / commercial appropriation of persona",
      "applies_to_country": "*",
      "applies_to_scope": "Ohio Revised Code Title 27, Chapter 2741 — applies to Ohio residents and those who died as Ohio residents after Jan 1,",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "running",
        "region": [
          "us-oh"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.privacy",
          "safety.legal",
          "money.fees"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    }
  ]
}