Pornography in Europe

Pornography has been dominated by a few pan-European producers and distributors, the most notable of which is the Private Media Group that successfully claimed the position previously held by Color Climax Corporation in the early 1990s. Most European countries also have local pornography producers, from Portugal (e.g. Naturalvideo) to Albania, who face varying levels of competition with international producers. The legal status of pornography varies widely in Europe; its production and distribution are illegal in countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and Bulgaria, while Hungary has permissive pornography laws.

Albania

In Albania, pornography is illegal only for producing, delivery, advertising, import, selling and publication of pornographic materials in persons under 18 years old. Child pornography is strictly prohibited.

Austria

Austrian legislation on pornography has its roots in legal efforts dating back to 1715 to suppress obscene writings and objects, which became increasingly widespread with the advent of printing. The reason for enacting the pornography law was that the catastrophe of World War II had not only crippled the economy, but also led to a shake-up of traditional views on customs and morals. The law was intended to set boundaries of decency and propriety in the interest of orderly coexistence. It serves to restrict the satisfaction of sexual desire, as purely erotic works have an intoxicating effect similar to that of drugs, arousing the subconscious urges of young people.