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Thread: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

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    Default Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Hi all, I am new to this and was thinking about doing the webcam modeling thing but I want to make sure that it is Ligit!!!Please help!

    I was wondering if webcam modeling is really legal in the usa?
    or what is legal and what isnt?
    thanks guys

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Please do your research. Use the search function here on sw.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Yes, it's legal as long as you're 18.

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    Veteran Member Ashly06's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    It has to be,or we're all going to jail!! You've got ALOT of reading to do hun.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    well I believe there can be zoning issues but there is a post by pornlaw on here somewhr

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashly06 View Post
    It has to be,or we're all going to jail!! You've got ALOT of reading to do hun.
    right. lol.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    I have never heard of an independent webcam girl being arrested or prosecuted for camming...

    The only zoning issues I can see is with running a webcam studio. You would have other girls that come and go from the location. However thats still not open to the public but you might have some nuisance issues or running a business from your home issues to contend with.

    Most cities allow home based business with a limitation on the number of employees. No one wants their street to become a parking lot.

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    Featured Member kittykrane's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    There are also local obscenity laws, but really, with all the people doing that stuff in their homes all the time (even law enforcement people get freaky), who enforces that stuff? Unless it's really really sick stuff like with animals or underage. Heck , sodomy and oral sex are illegal in some places, but no one gets arrested for it unless you are doing it publicly. My advice is "play in private"...That's how camming is supposed to be. Not some public free for all freak show.

    I found this about Texas:

    "Texas has some stupid laws. Unfortunately Texas also has legislators who lack the courage or wisdom to repeal stupid laws. Instead, Texans must rely on federal courts, or even the Supreme Court to declare our stupid laws unconstitutional.

    One such stupid law bans the "promotion" (sale) of dildos.

    § 43.23. OBSCENITY. (a) A person commits an offense if, knowing its content and character, he wholesale promotes or possesses with intent to wholesale promote any obscene material or obscene device.

    An obscene device is a dildo, vibrator etc. Of all the things to waste law enforcement resources on, dildo prohibition is probably the most useless (marijuana would be a close second)." (re: http://www.dallascriminaldefenselawy...-texas-ag.html)

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Unless the production of pornagraphy is legal in your state what you are doing is illegal.
    Even then, you are operating without a permit. If someone knew you and recorded you and contacted the police and said you were producing pornagraphy for distribution and provided them a tape, yeah, you could be arrested.

    It's only a matter of time before the right wing holy-rollers get whiff of this hustle (and the fact that underage 3rd world children and sex slaves are being pimped via webcam) and it will be all over.

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    Veteran Member naughtycammer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    I highly doubt that's true. lol.
    I like naked chicks.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sam38g View Post
    I refuse to feel guilt about my sexuality. I REFUSE to feel bad about my job.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Webcam performers produce pornagraphic material.

    It is only legal in California and Florida to produce pornagraphy.

    If you are in any other state, and you stick a dildo up your vagina and broadcast it live on the internet and recieve payment, you have also commited wire fraud. Because you can't have money wired to your account or cash a check for payment for an illegal activity.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?


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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Quote Originally Posted by WorkerBee View Post
    Webcam performers produce pornagraphic material.

    It is only legal in California and Florida to produce pornagraphy.

    If you are in any other state, and you stick a dildo up your vagina and broadcast it live on the internet and recieve payment, you have also commited wire fraud. Because you can't have money wired to your account or cash a check for payment for an illegal activity.
    um, no offense, but who are you??
    don't expect anyone to believe what you are saying or take it seriously if you don't show tangible proof and resources of where you got your information from. do you think wikipedia would allow you to post if you didn't have any sources sited? hell no. i'm tired of people coming in here making extreme claims with nothing to back it up.

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    Veteran Member pornlaw's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Quote Originally Posted by WorkerBee View Post
    Webcam performers produce pornagraphic material.

    It is only legal in California and Florida to produce pornagraphy.

    If you are in any other state, and you stick a dildo up your vagina and broadcast it live on the internet and recieve payment, you have also commited wire fraud. Because you can't have money wired to your account or cash a check for payment for an illegal activity.
    Actually its California and New Hampshire. Florida, depending on the area, is one of the least friendly porn states -- ie., CumOnHerFace.com and Max Hardcore prosecutions. While you are technically correct about camming, if its solo girl its much harder to prosecute. If you are talking B/G or G/G cam shows I might agree that a prosecution COULD happen.

    One of the few legal issues for webcamming I have seen has been in Florida for the FlavaWorks gay webcam house CocoDorm but that was in regards to permit issues.

    They originally sued Miami over the issue...http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece....all&q=cocodorm

    They recently lost the appeal though...http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece....mi=all&q=flava

    And they did have problems in Chicago as well...http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece....all&q=cocodorm

    But I dont remember anyone being prosecuted for the production of pornographic material in either instance and at both those locations men where having sex with other men.

    But then again, both houses were in major cities. And for good reason. If they were located in lets say in Bumfuck, Oklahoma it might have been worse...

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    No one has to believe anything I say. The OP asked a question and I answered it. If you believe what I say is false, then that's fine.

    Everyone here has the resources to do their own due diligence.

    I did not pull this out of my azz. I posted 2 facts. You can google them, research it in a brick and mortar library, or contact a lawyer and ask for yourself.

    Citizen's Guide to Federal Obscentity Laws
    http://www.justice.gov/criminal/optf...ens-guide.html

    Definition of wirefraud.
    http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18...3----000-.html

    I've done webcamming before because I instantly got excited about extra cash. I didn't think to research the legality of it. I'm still paranoid that this will come back and bite me in the azz.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Why is everyone so incredulous? I believe WorkerBee, and I believe her all the more because Pornlaw backs her up--except for the Florida / NH mix-up. Besides, the OP asked whether webcamming was straight-up legal, not whether its practitioners are actually actively pursued by L.E.

    Thanks WorkerBee. Thanks Pornlaw. It's high time that we take the initiative to get educated. Obscenity laws. The Meese Report. All that.

    She wonders how much he'd pay to see her innards, what it is guys think girls are hiding so that they always want to see them in every place.
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Well, you have to weigh a few things. Sex and obscenity laws have always been deliberately fuzzy, so it's helpful to take a look at what's prosecuted. PornLaw mentioned that no camgirl's been prosecuted - that's significant because that gives you an idea of where the priorities are. Of course, it doesn't mean priorities won't change, but it's still something to consider.

    You also need to factor in the resources required to actually bust a camgirl on obscenity, let alone RICO. All that costs money. To lay down all that cash and manpower to bust a camgirl, there's got to be a payoff for the prosecutor. Busting a camgirl for some arcane local obscenity law isn't going to be a big get.

    The best advice I ever received regarding sex work was from a client back when I was an escort. Being intimately familiar with the legal system - well, being *part* of the legal system - he said, "When it comes to sex work, if they want to bust you, they can. So the trick is: don't let them *want* to bust you." In other words, if you're a camgirl and getting naked or masturbating for pay, nobody's going to be motivated to track you down for obscenity, lay down the resources to build a case, prosecute you, go through rounds of appeals, etc. But if you're a camgirl and you're fucking your dog while a toddler wanders through the background, someone is going to be pretty motivated to find a way to bust you.

    Anyway... something to consider.
    Last edited by Noa; 04-10-2011 at 06:47 PM. Reason: typo

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Quote Originally Posted by Noa View Post

    The best advice I ever received regarding sex work was from a client back when I was an escort. Being intimately familiar with the legal system - well, being *part* of the legal system - he said, "When it comes to sex work, if they want to bust you, they can. So the trick is: don't let them *want* to bust you." In other words, if you're a camgirl and getting naked or masturbating for pay, nobody's going to be motivated to track you down for obscenity, lay down the resources to build a case, prosecute you, going through rounds of appeals, etc. But if you're a camgirl and you're fucking your dog while a toddler wanders through the background, someone is going to be pretty motivated to find a way to bust you.

    Anyway... something to consider.
    Very well said... but on the last part (bold) Who would do that??

    I would like to think the ladies on this forum have much more sense than that.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Very, very well-put, Noa. And just one more incentive to report all income to the IRS.

    I'm reading "Bound and Gagged," by Laura Kipnis right now. It's a pro-porn treatise that's both excellently researched and really enjoyably written. The first chapter, though, offers a really sobering example of how the FBI spent over a million dollars (by conservative estimates) entrapping and prosecuting one guy on the basis of his BD/SM fantasy life. (I'm simplifying it wildly, here, but read the book, or at least the chapter. It's scary and important.)

    We ARE deviants to the vast majority of society. Even if you're putting on the most tame, vanilla, even CLOTHED cam-show, most people in this country will consider you less of a person. And overzealous D.A.s love a good sexy scapegoat--ESPECIALLY as election years near.

    She wonders how much he'd pay to see her innards, what it is guys think girls are hiding so that they always want to see them in every place.
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Sorry but Workerbee has no clue what she is talking about. If what she's saying is right then we're all going to jail. BS.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Is this work legal? Yes... for the vast majority of girls looking to work in adult... it's the
    best legal option available. In general, performing on a webcam
    from your home is 100% legal in all 50 states and worldwide; as
    long as the performer is over the age of 18. Whereas, "modeling"
    for adult videos and photos at any age is NOT. The production of
    sexually explicit movies, videos and photography... as far as the
    USA is concerned... is only legal in the state of California. In all
    other states, it is illegal. Many states... such as Florida and
    Arizona... are beginning to quietly prosecute both "producers" and
    models who are participating in the production of sexually explicit
    work. In fact, models and actors who advertise their availability for
    such work and describe the specific types of sex acts they'll perform
    can be prosecuted for solicitation. If you're working anyplace other
    than California as an adult "model" or "actor" and having physical
    contact with other people, you're playing a dangerous game. Be
    safe. If you can't work in California, but want to work in adult
    entertainment, your options are webcam performer, phone sex
    operator, text chat operator and stripper or dancer. Don't let a
    sleazy guy with a camera tell you otherwise. THERE ARE NO
    EXCEPTIONS.

    It seems some people just post anything on this site. Workerbee, you have no idea what you are talking about.
    There you have it.

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    Veteran Member sexandgrammar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Honey, do you want to call "BS" all day, or do you want to pull up a chair and listen to people who maybe, just maybe, know better?

    If you don't believe WorkerBee, believe Pornlaw. If you don't believe Pornlaw, do your reading. If you don't want to do your reading, take solace in the fact that, as Noa said, the law will most likely NOT spend lots of resources trying to bust you unless they want to. So don't make them want to.

    She wonders how much he'd pay to see her innards, what it is guys think girls are hiding so that they always want to see them in every place.
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    All I wanna do is get my pussy sucked / count a million bucks in the back of an armored truck.
    - Lil' Kim, "Suck My Dick"

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Quote Originally Posted by sexandgrammar View Post
    Honey, do you want to call "BS" all day, or do you want to pull up a chair and listen to people who maybe, just maybe, know better?

    If you don't believe WorkerBee, believe Pornlaw. If you don't believe Pornlaw, do your reading. If you don't want to do your reading, take solace in the fact that, as Noa said, the law will most likely NOT spend lots of resources trying to bust you unless they want to. So don't make them want to.
    Did you read my above comment before posting? I doubt that. Yes I will call BS on the notion that webcam modeling is illegal.

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Quote Originally Posted by TouringGirlfriend View Post
    Did you read my above comment before posting? I doubt that.
    I read the whole thing, babe. Where I come from, we cite our sources. But that's besides the point.

    It is naive to think that we as cam-girls will not be recorded. Hell, we record ourselves--and sell the clips! Yes, in a vacuum, webcam work is legal--it is as legal as peepshow work is. But that is not taking into account the medium, and its dissemination.

    She wonders how much he'd pay to see her innards, what it is guys think girls are hiding so that they always want to see them in every place.
    - Virginie Despentes,


    All I wanna do is get my pussy sucked / count a million bucks in the back of an armored truck.
    - Lil' Kim, "Suck My Dick"

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    Default Re: Is webcam modeling really legal in the usa?

    Even if an overzelous federal D.A. did decide to take on webcamming (which will happen in the future), I doubt they would arrest hundreds on top of hundreds of webcam models.

    But it would only take a snap of the fingers to freeze our accounts.

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