47 U.S.C. § 561 — Scrambling of sexually explicit adult video service programming

in plain englishAI-generated · not legal advice

(a) A multichannel video programming distributor providing sexually explicit adult or indecent programming on a channel mainly devoted to sexually oriented programming must fully scramble or block its video and audio so non-subscribers do not receive it. (b) Until it does so, it must not provide that programming during Commission-designated hours when many children are likely to watch. (c) “Scramble” means rearranging a signal so the programming cannot be viewed or heard understandably.

the actual law source: uscode.house.gov ↗public domain

(a) Requirement

In providing sexually explicit adult programming or other programming that is indecent on any channel of its service primarily dedicated to sexually-oriented programming, a multichannel video programming distributor shall fully scramble or otherwise fully block the video and audio portion of such channel so that one not a subscriber to such channel or programming does not receive it.

(b) Implementation

Until a multichannel video programming distributor complies with the requirement set forth in subsection (a), the distributor shall limit the access of children to the programming referred to in that subsection by not providing such programming during the hours of the day (as determined by the Commission) when a significant number of children are likely to view it.

(c) “Scramble” defined

As used in this section, the term “scramble” means to rearrange the content of the signal of the programming so that the programming cannot be viewed or heard in an understandable manner.

Source credit: (June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title VI, § 641, as added Pub. L. 104–104, title V, § 505(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 136.)

history & why it existsrecord from the source credit

1934Enacted · Pub. L. 104-104 · 110 Stat. 136

A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 104-104 on 1934-06-19.