Pornography laws by region
legality of pornography under different jurisdictions around the world
Pornography laws by region vary across jurisdictions in terms of definitions and restrictions on pornography. The production, distribution, and possession of pornographic films, photographs, and similar material are activities that are legal in many but not all countries, providing that any specific people featured in the material have consented to being included and are above a certain age. Various other restrictions often apply as well (e.g. to protect those who have intellectual disabilities or are highly intoxicated). The minimum age requirement for performers is most typically 18 years.
Pornography is usually expressed as obscene material by law and the meaning and range of obscenity differ from country to county. Most western countries allow hard-core pornography showing genitals and actual penetrations while other countries only allow soft-core pornography without showing genitals and actual penetrations. There are countries that ban pornography completely. It is illegal only to distribute and sell pornography in some countries, while in some countries it is even illegal to possess and watch it.
This article excludes material considered child pornography or zoophilic pornography.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Pornography laws by region” is legality of pornography under different jurisdictions around the world. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Pornography, laws and region, not as a finished interpretation.
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