Pornography laws by region

Definitions and restrictions on pornography vary across jurisdictions. 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 are mentally handicapped or highly intoxicated). The minimum age requirement for performers is most typically 18 years.

This page excludes material considered child pornography or zoophilic pornography. In most cases the legality of child pornography and legality of zoophilic pornography is treated as a separate issue, and it is usually subject to additional, specialized laws. Specialized laws to address the emerging phenomenon of "deep fake" pornographic content became an active subject of law-making and litigation in the 2020s, although fictional and semi-fictional pornography has existed throughout history.

Summary of pornography laws

This is a summary table of laws and their enforcement by governments. The subsequent sections contain more detail on each of the jurisdictions.

Africa

Country	Legal texts	Enforcement
Angola	It is illegal to import pornography into Angola. However, the law about possession and distribution is not clearly stated.
Botswana	Penal Code — Article 178 (Traffic in obscene publications)
Djibouti	The sale, manufacture, or distribution of all pornography, including child pornography, is prohibited, and is punishable by one year's imprisonment and a fine of up to 200,000 DJF ($1,130).
Egypt		No broad internet blocks
Eritrea	Article 313. (Obscene or Indecent Publications) A person who publicly distributes, displays or traffics in writings, images, posters, films, possession, objects or other communications that are obscene or grossly indecent, is guilty of obscenity, a Class 1 petty offence, punishable with a definite term of imprisonment of not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months, or a fine of 20,001 – 50,000 Nakfas, to be set in intervals of 2,500 Nakfas. It is not an offence under sub-Article (1) where the conduct takes place in private, or where the material is artistic, literary or scientific in character.
Eswatini
Ethiopia	Article 609 (Obscene or Indecent Publications) (1) Whosoever: (a) makes, imports or exports, transports, receives, possesses, display in public, of fern for sale or hire, distributes or circulates writing images, posters, films or other objects which are obscene or grossly indecent, or in any other way trafficks or trades in them; or (b) advertises, indicates or makes known, by any means, how or from whom such objects may be procured or circulated, either directly or indirectly, is punishable with simple imprisonment or fine, without prejudice to the forfeiture and destruction of the incriminating material. (2) Simple imprisonment shall be for not less than one month, and the fine, according to the circumstances, shall not exceed ten thousand dollars, where the offender: (a) habitually engages in or carries on such traffic; or (b) knowingly exhibits, hands over or delivers such objects to an infant or young person for a consideration.
Gabon	Article 430. Anyone who, with a view to distribution, fixes, records or transmits an image or of an adult when this image or this representation presents a pornographic scene is punishable by up to "five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to 10,000,000 FCFA fine".
Ghana	Article 281. (Further Offences Relating to Obscenity) Any person who: (a) for the purposes of or by way of trade, or for the purposes of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces, or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph films, or any other obscene objects [...]  : shall be guilty of a misdemeanour.
Kenya	Article 166. (Traffic in obscene publication) Any person who: (a) for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph -films or any other objects or any other object tending to corrupt morals [...]  : is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable, to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of seven thousand shillings.
Malawi	Article 179 (Obscene matters or things) (1) Any person who— (a) makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, photographic negatives or prints, cinematograph films, gramophone records or other contrivances for the reproduction of sound or any other obscene objects or any other objects tending to corrupt morals; is guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of K500,000 and to imprisonment for a term of two years.
Morocco (including Western Sahara)
Nigeria
South Africa
South Sudan	Article 260. (Sale of Obscene Books etc.) Whoever, sells, distributes, possession, imports or prints, or makes for sale or hire or willfully exhibits to public view any obscene writing, book, newspaper, film, gramophone record or similar article, drawing, painting, representation or figure or attempts or offers so to do or has in his or her possession any such obscene book or other thing for the purpose of sale, distribution or public exhibition, commits an offence, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or with a fine or with both.
Sudan	Article 235. (Sale etc. of Obscene Books etc) Whoever sells or distributes, imports or prints, or makes for sale or hire or willfully exhibits to public view any obscene writing, book, newspaper, film, gramophone record or similar article, drawing, painting, representation or figure or attempts or offers so to do or has in his possession any such obscene book or other thing for the purpose of sale, distribution or public exhibition, commits an offence and shall on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or with fine or with both.
Tanzania	Article 175. Any person who: (a) for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures» posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph -films or any other objects or any other object tending to corrupt morals [...]  : is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable, to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of two thousand shillings.
Uganda
Zambia	Article 177. (Obscene matters or things) Any person who makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph films or any other object tending to corrupt morals is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for five years or to a fine of not less than fifteen thousand penalty units nor more than seventy-five thousand penalty units.
Country	Legal texts

Asia

See also: Pornography in Asia

Country	Legal texts	Enforcement
Bangladesh
Bhutan	Article 381. (Lewd and lascivious conduct ) A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of lewd and lascivious conduct, if the defendant: (b) Sells, manufactures, issues, distributes, displays or otherwise deals in obscene material. Article 476. (Computer pornography ) A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of computer pornography, if the defendant: (a) Publishes and distributes an obscene photograph or picture on the computer or over the internet; or (b) Is an internet service provider, who knowingly acts as a host for pornographic material or acts as a channel for the image to be transmitted to an individual user.
People's Republic of China	Criminal Law — Section 9 Public Security Administration Punishments Law Law on the Protection of Minors
Hong Kong
India (including all states and union territories)	Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 294, 295 and 296 and IT Act-67B. (Illegal dissemination of pornographic materials) & (Illegal Child Pornography) Anyone who sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits or circulates to any person under the age of 20 years any such obscene object a Illegal manufacture, sale as well as, dissemination of pornographic materials or items, as well as, printed publications will severely punished with a fine in the amount of 2000 rupees fine for monthly term, or with imprisonment for the term of up to 7 years. Whoever browses, publishes, creates, downloads obscene content of child pornography which are strictly prohibited will be punished with imprisonment of 5 years and 10 lakh rupees fine.	Blocking orders by the government to ISPs
Indonesia	(Republic of Indonesia Law No. 44 Year 2008 on Pornography, Article 29 and 32) Pasal 29 (Article 29) (Every person who produces, makes, reproduces, duplicates, spreads, airs, imports, exports, offers, trades, rents, or provides pornography as meant in Article 4 paragraph (1) shall be punished with imprisonment of at least 6 (six) months and at most 12 (twelve) years and/or a fine of at least Rp250.000.000,00 (two hundred fifty million rupiah) and at most Rp6.000.000.000,00 (six billion rupiah).) Pasal 32 (Article 32) (Every person who plays, displays, utilizes, possesses, or stores pornographic products as meant in Article 6 shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 4 (four) years and/or a fine of at least Rp250.000.000,00 (two hundred fifty million rupiah) and at most Rp6.000.000.000,00 (6 billion rupiah).)
Iraq	Penal Code — Paragraph 403 Law on Combatting Prostitution
Japan	Article 175. (Distribution of Obscene Objects ) A person who distributes, sells or displays in public an obscene document, drawing or other objects shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than 2 years, a fine of not more than 2,500,000 yen or a petty fine. ※ Pornography showing sexual genitals is illegal in Japan. Pornography that blurred out sexual genitals is considered legal which is called AV(Adult Video).
North Korea
South Korea	Article 243 (Distribution, etc. of Obscene Pictures) Any person who distributes, sells, lends, openly displays or shows any obscene documents, drawing, pictures, films or other things, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding five million won. Article 244 (Manufacture, etc. of Obscene Pictures) A person who, for the purpose of accomplishing the acts as prescribed in Article 243, manufactures, possesses, imports or exports obscene goods, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding five million won. Article 44-7 (Prohibition on Circulation of Unlawful Information) No one may circulate any of the following information through an information and communications network: 1. Information with obscene content distributed, sold, rented, or displayed openly in the form of code, words, sound, images, or motion picture;
Laos	Article 138. (Dissemination of Pornographic Objects and Objects Contrary to Fine Traditions) Any person engaging in the widespread production, distribution, or dissemination of pornographic items, magazines, pictures, video cassettes and other materials contrary to fine traditions shall be punished by three months to one year of imprisonment and shall be fined from 200,000 Kip to 5,000,000 Kip.
Malaysia
Maldives	Article 622. (Producing or Distributing Obscene Material) A person commits an offense if, with knowledge of its obscene nature or content, he: (1) Sells, delivers, or provides one or more obscene writings, pictures, records, or other representations or embodiments of the obscene; or [...] (6) Creates, buys, procures, or possesses obscene matter or material with the purpose of distributing it in violation of this Section. [...] The offenses in Subsections (a)(1) through (a)(6) are Class 1 misdemeanors.
Mongolia	Article 123. (Advertising and dissemination of pornography and prostitution) W Preparation, dissemination, sale, display to the public, crossing of the state frontier of the press, literature, films, video tapes and other items advertising pornography shall be punishable by a fine equal to 31 to 50 amounts of minimum salary or by incarceration for a term of 1 to 3 months.
Nepal
Philippines	Section 4.e of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. Section 4. Acts of Trafficking in Persons. It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to commit any of the following acts: (e) To maintain or hire a person to engage in prostitution or pornography;
Qatar	Article 292. (Sale of obscene books, etc.) Whoever produces, imports, exports, possesses or transports immoral books, prints, writings, drawings, photos, movies or symbols for the purpose of exploitation, distribution or display shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding five thousand Qatari Riyals (QR 5.000).
Saudi Arabia	Pornography is a crime under the Sharia Law.
Singapore	Article 292. (Sale of obscene books, etc.) Whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, transmits by electronic means, publicly exhibits or in any manner puts into circulation, or for purposes of sale, hire, distribution, transmission, public exhibition or circulation, makes, produces, or has in his possession any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure, or any other obscene object whatsoever shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with fine, or with both.
Sri Lanka	Article 285. (Sale, &c. of obscene books .&c.) Whoever sells or distributes, imports, or prints for sale or hire, or wilfully exhibits to public view, any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, photograph, representation, or figure, or attempts or offers so to do, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both. Article 286. (Having in possession obscene books, &c for sale or public exhibition. ) Whoever has in his possession any such obscene book or other thing as is mentioned in the last preceding section for the purpose of sale, distribution, or public exhibition, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months. Or with fine, or with both.
Syria
Taiwan	J.Y. Interpretation No. 617 & Article 235 of the Criminal Code.
Thailand	Section 287. Whoever for the purpose of trade or by trade, for public distribution or exhibition, makes, produces, possesses, brings or causes to be brought into the Kingdom, sends or causes to be sent out of the Kingdom, takes away or causes to be taken away, or circulates by any means whatever, any document, drawing, print, painting, printed matter, picture, poster, symbol, photograph, cinematograph film, noise tape, picture tape or any other thing which is obscene [...] shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years or fined not exceeding six thousand Baht, or both.
Turkey	Section 226 of Turkey Penal Code (Obscenity) Section 226. (1) A person who, (a) shows or reads obscene text, images or words to a child, or makes a child listen or read obscene text, images or words, (b) places, displays or shows obscene content in places which children can see, read or hear (c) sells or rents obscene content in a way that may aims to hide the actual content (d) sells or rents obscene content in places where it's not allowed (e) distributes obscene content with other (non-obscene) content is punished with imprisonment from six months to two years and a judicial fine (2) A person who publishes obscene images, texts or words through press or broadcasting, or who mediates its publication is punished with imprisonment from six months to three years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days. (3) A person who represents or uses images of children or people who appear to be children children in the production of products containing obscene images, text or words, is punished with imprisonment from five to ten years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days. A person who reproduces, offers for sale, sells, transports, stores, exports , keeps, brings these products into the country or makes them available for others is punished with imprisonment from two years to five years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days. (4) A person who produces, reproduces, offers for sale, sells, transports, stores, exports , keeps, brings products that contain obscene content with violence, animals, dead human bodies or unatural sexual behavior into the country or makes these content available for others is punished with imprisonment from one to four years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days. (5) A person who publishes the contents of the products in the third and fourth paragraphs through press and publication or broadcasting or who allows children to see, listen to or read this content is punished with imprisonment from six to ten years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days. (6) Due to these crimes, security measures specific to legal entities are imposed on them. (7) The provisions of this section (excluding the third paragraph) do not apply to scientific, artistic and literary works, as long as children are prevented from accessing these works.	Blocking access to some websites that allow users to share pornographic content
Turkmenistan
Vietnam	Article 326. (Distribution pornographic materials) Any person who makes, duplicates, publishes, transports, deals in, or stores books, magazines, pictures, films, music, or other items that contain pornographic contents for the purpose of distributing them or distributes pornographic materials in any of the following cases shall be a fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 or face a penalty of up to 03 years' community sentence or 06 – 36 months' imprisonment
Country	Legal texts

Europe

See also: Pornography in Europe

Country	Legal texts	Enforcement
Albania	Article 117. Production, distribution, advertisement, export, import, sale, and publication of pornographic materials in environments with children, by any means or form, shall constitute criminal contravention and shall be punishable by imprisonment of up to two years. Production, import, offering, making available, distribution, broadcasting, use, or possession of child pornography, as well as the conscious creation of access in it, by any means or form, shall be punishable by three to ten years of imprisonment. Recruitment, exploitation, compulsion, or the persuasion of a child to participate in pornographic shows, as well as the participation in such shows which involve the participation of children, shall be punishable by five to ten years of imprisonment.
Andorra
Austria
Belarus	Article 343. Production and distribution of pornographic materials or items of a pornographic nature "1. Storage for the purpose of distribution or advertising or distribution, advertising of pornographic materials, printed publications, images, films, videos or scenes of pornographic content, other items of a pornographic nature, committed within a year after the imposition of an administrative penalty for the same violations, as well as production for the purpose of distribution or advertising or broadcast or public display of pornographic materials, printed publications, images, films, videos or scenes of pornographic content, other items of a pornographic nature shall be punished by community service, or a fine, or correctional labor for up to two years, or arrest. "2. Production or storage for the purpose of distribution or advertising or distribution, advertising, broadcast or public display of pornographic materials, printed publications, images, films, videos or scenes of pornographic content, other items of a pornographic nature, committed for mercenary reasons or by an organized group, or likewise, distribution, advertising, broadcast or demonstration of pornographic materials, printed publications, images, films, videos or scenes of pornographic content, or other items of a pornographic nature, to a minor, committed by a person who has reached the age of eighteen, shall be punishable by restriction of freedom for a term of two to four years or imprisonment for the same term."
Belgium	Further information: Pornography in Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria	Article 159. A person who produces, displays, presents, broadcasts, distributes, sells, rents or otherwise circulates a pornographic material, shall be punished by deprivation of liberty of up to one year and a fine of BGN one thousand (1,000) to three thousand (3,000).
Croatia
Czech Republic	Further information: Pornography in the Czech Republic
Denmark (including all territories)	Further information: Pornography in Denmark
Estonia	Further information: Pornography in Estonia
Finland (including Åland)
France (including all territories)
Germany
Greece
Hungary	Section 204 and 204A of Hungary Criminal Code. Section 204. (1) A person who has taken a pornographic photograph depicting a person who has not reached the age of eighteen (a) acquires or retains, for a criminal offense, from one year to five years, (b) offers, transfers or makes available, for a criminal offense, from two to eight years, (c) makes, places on the market, trades in or makes available such recordings for a period of five to ten years for criminal offenses; shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of (2) The punishment shall be imprisonment for a term of two to eight years in the case of subparagraph (a), five to ten years in the case of subparagraph (b) and five to fifteen years in the case of subparagraph (c), if the offense is defined therein. (a) to the detriment of a person under the age of twelve, (b) to the detriment of a person under the education, supervision, care or treatment of the offender or to abuse any other power or influence in relation to the victim, or to exploit the vulnerable position of the victim, (c) as an official, using that grade, (d) recording involving harassment or the use of force; or (e) as a particular recidivist are committed. (3) The penalty shall be imprisonment for a term of five to ten years in the case of subparagraph (a), five to fifteen years in the case of subparagraph (b) and five years to twenty years in the case of subparagraph (c) if the offense specified therein is not completed within the age of twelve years. harassment or the use of force. (4) Who is defined in paragraph 1 (c) a) provides material means for a criminal offense, from one year to five years for a criminal offense, (b) prepares for a criminal offense for a period of three years shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of (5) A person who depicts pornography depicting a person who has reached the age of fourteen but has not reached the age of eighteen (a) acquires or retains for three years as a result of a criminal offense, b) prepares, for a crime of one to five years shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of one of the persons referred to in points (b) to (e) of paragraph 2. (6) Whoever invites a person or persons under the age of eighteen to participate in pornographic recording shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of one to five years for a criminal offense. 7. Whoever calls on a person or persons who have reached the age of fourteen but has not reached the age of eighteen to take part in pornographic performances shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to three years if one of the circumstances specified in paragraph 2 (b) to (e) does not exist. (8) For the purposes of this section, pornographic recording shall mean the depiction of another person or others in a manner that is seriously defamatory of sex, in a manner intended to arouse sexual desire, including a realistic depiction of a non-existent person or persons. Section 204A. (1) A person (a) participates in a pornographic program involving a person under the age of eighteen years or persons appearing for such an offense as a criminal offense between the ages of two and eight years; (b) engages in or organizes a pornographic program of a person or persons below the age of eighteen years, for a period of five to ten years as a result of a criminal offense; shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of (2) The punishment shall be imprisonment for a term of five to ten years in the case of paragraph 1 (a) and five to fifteen years in the case of paragraph (b) if the offense specified therein is (a) to the detriment of a person under the age of twelve, (b) to the detriment of a person under the education, supervision, care or treatment of the offender or to abuse any other power or influence in connection with the victim, (c) as an official, using that grade, (d) a program of harassment or violence, or (e) as a particular recidivist are committed. (3) The punishment shall be imprisonment from five to fifteen years in the case of paragraph 1 (a) and from five to twenty years in the case of paragraph (b) if the offense specified therein is committed for the purpose of harassing or using violence against a person under the age of twelve. (4) Who is defined in paragraph 1 (b) a) provides material means for a criminal offense, from one year to five years for a criminal offense, (b) prepares for a criminal offense for a period of three years shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of (5) Whoever invites a person or persons under the age of eighteen to participate in a pornographic program shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of one to five years for a criminal offense. (6) Whoever invites a person or persons who have reached the age of fourteen but has not reached the age of eighteen to participate in a pornographic program shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years if any of the circumstances specified in subsection (2) (b) to (e) do not exist. (7) For the purposes of this section, a pornographic program is an act or performance intended to arouse sexual desire by portraying the sex of another or others with serious oppression.
Iceland	Article 210, Icelandic Criminal Law If pornography is published in print, the person responsible for publishing it in accordance with printing laws shall be subject to fines or imprisonment for up to 6 months.
Ireland
Italy
Latvia	Article 166. Violation of Provisions Regarding the Demonstration of a Pornographic Performance, Restriction of Entertainment of Intimate Nature and Handling of a Material of Pornographic Nature For a person who commits violation of the provisions regarding demonstration of a pornographic performance or other provisions regarding the restriction of entertainment of intimate nature, or provisions regarding the handling of a material of pornographic nature, if it has been committed on a significant scale or substantial harm has been caused by committing it, the applicable punishment is the deprivation of liberty for a period of up to one year or temporary deprivation of liberty, or community service, or a fine. For a person who commits visiting or demonstration of such pornographic performance or handling of such materials of pornographic nature which contain child pornography, sexual activities of people with animals, necrophilia or sexual gratification in a violent way, the applicable punishment is the deprivation of liberty for a period of up to three years or temporary deprivation of liberty, or community service, or a fine, with or without the confiscation of property and with probationary supervision for a period of up to three years. For a person who commits encouraging, involvement, forced participation or utilisation of minors in a pornographic performance or the production of a material of pornographic nature, the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a period up to six years, with or without confiscation of property and with probationary supervision for a period up to three years. For a person who commits encouraging, involvement, forced participation or utilisation of persons who have not attained the age of sixteen years in a pornographic performance or the production of a material of pornographic nature, the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a period of three years and up to twelve years, with or without confiscation of property and with probationary supervision for a period up to three years. For a person who commits the acts provided for in Paragraph three or four of this Section, if they have been committed by an organised group or if they have been committed by means of violence, the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a period of five and up to fifteen years, with or without confiscation of property and with probationary supervision for a period up to three years.
Liechtenstein
Lithuania	Article 309. (Distribution of Pornographic Material) A person who, for the purpose of distribution, produces or acquires pornographic material or distributes such material shall be punished by community service or by a fine or by restriction of liberty or by imprisonment for a term of up to one year.
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova	Article 90. Producing, selling, distributing or keeping pornographic products Producing, selling, broadcasting or keeping pornographic products to be sold or broadcast is sanctioned with a fine from 24 to 30 conventional units applied to the natural person, or with a fine from 60 to 90 conventional units applied to the legal person.
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands (including all territories)	Article 240a. (Crimes against morality) With imprisonment of at most one year or a fine of the fourth category is punished he who gives, offers or shows an image, an object or a data carrier, containing an image of which the display is considered harmful for persons under the age of sixteen, to a minor of whom he knows or should reasonably suspect that this person is under the age of sixteen. Article 240b. (Crimes against morality) With an imprisonment not exceeding four years or a fine of the fifth category is punished whoever distributes, offers, openly exhibits, manufactures, imports, implements, acquires, possesses or obtains access to an image – or a data carrier containing an image – of a sexual act, involving or seemingly involving someone who has evidently not reached the age of eighteen yet. A person who makes a profession or habit out of committing one of the offences described in paragraph 1 shall be punished with imprisonment of not more than eight years or a fine of category five. Article 254a. (Crimes against morality) A person who distributes, openly exhibits, manufactures, imports, transports, implements or possesses an image – or a data carrier containing an image – of a lewd act in which a human being and an animal are involved or appear to be involved, is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine of the third category. A person who makes a profession or habit out of committing any of the offences described in paragraph 1 shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine of category four.
North Macedonia
Norway (including all territories)
Poland	Article 202. (Offenses against sexual freedom and decency) §3. Who produces, preserves or imports, stores or possesses, for the purpose of dissemination, distributes or presents pornographic content involving a minor or pornographic content related to the presentation violence or use of an animal is punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 12 years.
Portugal (including all territories)
Romania
Russia	Article 242. Illegal Making and Distribution of Pornographic Materials or Objects Illegal making and/or movement across the State Border of the Russian Federation for the purpose of distribution, public demonstration or advertising, or distribution, public demonstration or advertising of pornographic materials or objects, – shall be punishable with a fine in an amount of 100 thousand to 300 thousand roubles, or in the amount of a wage/salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of one to two years, or by compulsory labour for a term of up to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for the same term. Distribution, public demonstration or advertising of pornographic materials or objects to minors, or involvement of minors in distribution of pornographic materials effected by a person who has reached eighteen years of age – shall be punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of two to five years with or without deprivation of the right to hold definite offices or to engage in definite activities for a term of up to ten years. The deeds provided for by Parts One or Two of this article committed: by a group of persons by previous concert or by an organised group; through the use of mass media, in particular information-telecommunication networks (including Internet); with making profit on a large scale shall be punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of two to six years with or without deprivation of the right to hold definite offices or to engage in definite activities for a term of up to fifteen years. Note. As profit made on a large scale shall be deemed in this article, as well as in Article 242.1 of this Code, the profit in the amount exceeding fifty thousand roubles.
San Marino
Serbia	Article 185. (Showing, procuring and possession of Pornographic Material and Juvenile Pornography) Whoever sells, shows or publicly displays or otherwise makes available texts, pictures, audio-visual or other items of pornographic content to a minor or shows to a child a pornographic performance, shall be punished with a fine or imprisonment up to six months. Whoever uses a minor to produce photographs, audio-visual or other items of pornographic content or for a pornographic show, shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years. If the offence referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof has been perpetrated against a child, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment of six months to three years for the offence from paragraph 1 and with imprisonment of one year to eight years for the offence from paragraph 2. Whoever obtains for himself or another, possesses, sells, shows, publicly exhibits or electronically or otherwise makes available pictures, audio-visual or other items of pornographic content resulting abuse of a juvenile, shall be punished with imprisonment from three months to three years. Items specified in paragraphs 1 through 4 of this Article shall be confiscated.
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain (including all territories)
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine	Article 301. (Importation, making, sale or distribution of pornographic items) Importation into Ukraine for sale or distribution purposes, or making, transportation or other movement for the same purposes, or sale or distribution of pornographic images or other items, and also compelling others to participate in their making, shall be punishable by a fine of 50 to 100 tax-free minimum incomes, or arrest for a term up to six months, or restraint of liberty for a term up to three years, with the forfeiture of pornographic images or other items and means of their making and distribution.
United Kingdom (including all territories)	Further information: Pornography in the United Kingdom
Vatican City
Country	Legal texts

North America

Country	Legal texts
Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas
Belize	Article 323. (Obscene publication) Every person who publishes or offers for sale any obscene book, writing or representation, shall be liable to imprisonment for two years.
Canada
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador	It is illegal to import "obscene articles" into El Salvador.
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti	It is illegal to import pornography into Haiti.
Honduras	It is illegal to import pornography into Honduras.
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago
United States (including all territories)
Country	Legal texts

Oceania

Country	Legal texts		Enforcement
Australia	Criminal Code Act 1995		Online pornography is legal in Australia. However, pornographic DVDs and magazines (which have since become obsolete) are rated X18+ by the Australian Classification Board (ACB), meaning they are restricted to those over the age of 18. Furthermore, they can only be purchased in the Australian Capital Territory and some parts of the Northern Territory. However, there are over 100 Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory that are classified as "dry communities", where it has been illegal to sell alcohol and pornography since 2007.
	Australian Capital Territory	Crimes Act 1900
	New South Wales	Crimes Act 1900
	Northern Territory	Criminal Code Act 1983
	Queensland	Criminal Code Act 1899 Classification of Publications Act 1991 Classification of Films Act 1991 Classification of Computer Games and Images Act 1995
	South Australia	Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 Summary Offences Act 1953
	Tasmania	Criminal Code Act 1924 Police Offences Act 1935 Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1995
	Victoria	Crimes Act 1958
	Western Australia	Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913
Fiji	There is currently no law that prohibits online pornography in Fiji. However, pornography cannot be imported into Fiji.
Kiribati	Article 166. (Traffic in obscene publication) Any person who: (a) for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph -films or any other objects or any other object tending to corrupt morals [...]  : is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable, to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of two hundred dollars.
Nauru
New Zealand	Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands	Article 173. (Traffic in obscene publication) Any person who: (a) for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph -films or any other objects or any other object tending to corrupt morals [...]  : is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable, to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of two hundred dollars.
Tonga	Pornography Control Act 2002 Any person who deals in or carries out any activity pertaining to the production of pornographic material or is otherwise concerned in the production of pornographic material commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or 3 years imprisonment or both.
Tuvalu	Article 166 of the Penal Code Any person who — for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, films as defined in the Cinemas and Films or any other obscene objects or any other object tending to corrupt morals; or for any of the purposes above mentioned imports, conveys or exports, or causes to be imported, conveyed or exported, any such matters or things, or in any manner whatsoever puts any of them in circulation; or carries on or takes in any business, whether public or private, concerned with any such matters or things, or deals in any such matters or things in any manner whatsoever, or distributes any of them or exhibit any of them publicly, or makes a business of lending any of them; or advertises or makes known by any means whatsoever with a view to assisting the circulation of, or traffic in, any such matters or things, that a person is engaged in any of the acts referred to in this section, or advertises or makes known how, or from whom, any such matters or things can be produced either directly or indirectly; or publicly exhibits any indecent show or performance or any show or performance tending to corrupt morals, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 2 years or to a fine of $200.
Vanuatu
Country	Legal texts

South America

Country	Legal texts	Enforcement
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
Venezuela
Country	Legal texts

Africa

Botswana

The possession of "indecent and obscene material such as pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs, Blu-Ray, VHS, and software" is prohibited in Botswana. Possession or import of such material is illegal and punishable by a fine or up to four years imprisonment.

Egypt

In Egypt, it is illegal to distribute pornography. Possession and access of pornography are not criminalised. Unlike numerous African nations which have no laws against child pornography, Egypt blocks child pornography websites and dealing in child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years and fines of US$29,000.

Eswatini

Under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, No. 15 or 2018, the publication, viewership, and sharing of pornography is legal in Eswatini only if it passes a three-element test. Pornography is legal if it does not involve any non-consenting persons (including children or those with a significant disability), can be easily traced to its creator, and does not otherwise depict a sexual offense.

Ethiopia

Distributing or selling pornographic materials is illegal in Ethiopia, and their production in the country is rare. There are no official laws regarding Internet pornography in Ethiopia, making the Internet the only available source of pornography.

Morocco

In 2004, Morocco introduced severe punishments for promoting pornography.

Nigeria

Nigeria has no national laws prohibiting pornography, although the public display of graphic sexual material is illegal in Lagos. The country has a small pornography industry which produces exclusively heterosexual pornography, as homosexual activity in Nigeria is illegal. Some Muslim politicians in the national government have proposed a nationwide block on pornographic websites. There is significant piracy of pornography in Nigeria, with pirated pornographic DVDs being sold from roadside stalls in Lagos. Pornography is also sold in Nigerian sex shops and some pornographic magazines are produced in the country, often reproducing pictures from foreign magazines.

The first officially acknowledged hardcore pornographic film produced in Nigeria was Better Lover Valentine Sex Party. It was not submitted to the National Film and Video Censors Board for classification and it was immediately banned on the grounds of obscenity and immorality. Internet pornography is widely viewed in Nigeria. In 2015 the monthly average for the number of searches for pornography was 135,000, and in December 2014 and 2015 the proportion of searches for pornography (relative to other searches) was higher in Nigeria than in the United States. In 2013 Nigeria ranked second globally for Internet searches for gay pornography.

South Africa

Pornography rated X18 is permitted by the law only if sold to persons over the age of 18 in registered stores. It is an offense to host a pornographic web site in South Africa because of the difficulty of age-verification and the requirement that pornography only be distributed from designated, licensed physical premises. It is also unlawful to visually represent bestiality (also rated XX), but not in text descriptions. Supplying violent pornography is an offence in any form, but the law allows the production of pornography that is not prohibited.

Distribution of pornography is regulated by the Films and Publications Act of 1996, which is enforced by the Films and Publications Board.

Uganda

Pornographic DVDs have in the past been sold on the streets in Uganda. However, an Anti-Pornography Act (popularly known as the "Anti-Miniskirt Law") was signed into law in 2014 with the stated objectives of defining what constitutes the offence of pornography and establishing a Pornography Control Committee. The committee is responsible for the implementation of the law and for taking measures to detect, prohibit, collect and destroy pornographic materials. The law broadly defines pornography as "any representation of the sexual parts of a person for primarily sexual excitement". The law says that "a person shall not produce, traffic in, publish, broadcast, procure, import, export, sell or abet any form of pornography". Breaches of the law are punishable with up to ten years in jail.

Prior to the passing of the act there were a number of laws concerning aspects of pornography in Uganda, but this was the first law to create a specific offence of pornography. The law repeals and replaces Section 166 of the Penal Code Act, widening the legal interpretation of pornography and prohibiting it comprehensively. The law has been subject to challenge in the Constitutional Court on the basis of its vague wording and the broad powers of the committee.

In July 2018, the Ugandan government directed the country's ISPs to block 27 pornographic websites.

Americas

Main article: Pornography in the Americas

Bahamas

The Bahamian penal code prohibits the production and distribution of obscene publications. Many types of pornography are prohibited in the Bahamas; however, law enforcement is relaxed and does not usually enforce the prohibition. Pornography is available on Bahamian cable television and in 2014 ZNS-TV broadcast a report on the establishment of a local pornography industry in the Bahamas.

Brazil

Main article: Pornography in Brazil

In Brazil, pornographic film actors must be 18 or older. Pornography which does not involve bestiality is legal when sold in public places. Depiction of sex with non-human animals is legal. However, magazine and DVD covers that depict genitalia must not be visible from public view, and pornography can only be sold to people 18 or older.

Canada

Main article: Pornography in Canada

The laws of Canada permit the sale of hardcore pornography to anyone over the age of 18. While persons below that age may have pornography in their possession, its sale to them is prohibited. Most hardcore pornography is sold in adult stores or on adult websites.

Cuba

Pornography was illegal in Cuba during Fidel Castro's leadership of the country, but the laws were relaxed in the 2010s. Currently, Cuba restricts online pornography.

United States

Main article: Pornography in the United States

In the United States, "non-obscene" pornography is generally lawful at the federal level. Distinguishing between "pornography" and "obscenity" is conducted using the Miller test, which was developed in the 1973 case Miller v. California. The Miller test has three parts:

• Whether "the average person, applying contemporary community standards", would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest,
• Whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable state law,
• Whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

The following four forms of pornography are specifically unlawful at the federal level.

1. Child pornography
   • The commercial production of child pornography was first made unlawful beginning in 1977, but child pornography itself was not made categorically unlawful until 1984.
   • Most of the current penal statutes are codified in chapter 110 of the United States Code.
2. Animal crush fetish pornography
   • Animal crush fetish pornography was first made unlawful in 1999, but that initial law was ruled unconstitutional and revised in 2010.
   • The current penal statute is found at title 18, United States Code, section 48 thereof.
3. Video voyeurism pornography
   • Made unlawful in 2004, the current penal statute is found at title 18, United States Code, section 1801 thereof.
4. Revenge pornography
   • While the current prohibition carries no civil or criminal penalties, there exists a private right of action for victims.
   • This redress for victims is currently found at title 15, United States Code, section 6851 thereof.

Asia

Main article: Pornography in Asia

Bangladesh

Main article: Pornography in Bangladesh

By passing the "Pornography Control Act, 2012", the government of Bangladesh prohibited the carrying, exchanging, using, selling, marketing, distributing, preserving, filming etc. of pornography (sexually explicit materials, unless it has artistic and/or educational value). Penalties include a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines up to Tk500,000 (US$6,410).

China

Main article: Pornography in China

China's criminal code defines pornography as

sex-propagating books or periodicals, films, video- or audio-tapes, pictures or other pornographic articles which concretely describe sexual acts or undisguisedly publicize sex

— translation by Asian Legal Information Institute

It is illegal to sell, distribute pornography or arrange for pornographic performances in mainland China.

Hong Kong

Pornographic films in Hong Kong are referred to as Category III films, after the territory's motion picture rating system. Prior to 1988 films with excessive nudity, violence, cursing in Chinese and drug use were not allowed to be shown in public theaters. This did not however mean that porn was banned. Porn was and still is legal and easily accessible. In the 80s and 90s before the internet was widespread, it was common to see adult videos for rent in convenience stores and elsewhere. Category III films are not similar to the R-rated films in the United States. Category III spans a wide spectrum from what would be considered "Hard R" all the way to hardcore NC-17 or X rating.

India

Main article: Pornography in India

• The selling and distribution of pornographic material is illegal in India under section 294, 295, 296.
• The distribution, sale, or circulation of obscene materials and the selling of pornographic content to any person under age 20 years are illegal under section 293 and IT Act-67B.
• Child pornography is illegal and strictly prohibited across the country under section 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
• The manufacturing, publishing and distribution of pornography is illegal in India under sections 292 and 293.

In July 2015 the Supreme Court of India refused to allow the blocking of pornographic websites and said that watching pornography indoors in the privacy of one's own home was not a crime. In August 2015 the Government of India issued an order to Indian ISPs to block at least 857 websites that it considered to be pornographic. In 2015 the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked internet service providers to take down 857 websites in a bid to control cyber crime, but after receiving criticism from the authorities it partially rescinded the ban. The ban from the government came after a lawyer filed a petition in the Supreme Court arguing that online pornography encourages sex crimes and rapes.

In October 2018 the government directed Internet service providers to block 827 websites that host pornographic content following an order by the Uttarakhand High Court. The court cited the rape of a 10th standard girl from Dehradun by four of her seniors. The four accused told police that they raped the girl after watching pornography on the Internet.

Indonesia

See also: Bill against pornography and pornoaction

A law passed in 2010 states any "pictures, sketches, photos, writing, voice, sound, moving picture, animation, cartoons, conversation, gestures, or other communications shown in public with salacious content or sexual exploitation that violate the moral values of society" will have offenders face up to a 15-year jail sentence. With the maximum penalty for downloading pornographic material is a 4-year jail sentence or a 2 billion rupiah ($219,200) fine.

Japan

Main article: Pornography in Japan

Pornography is legal in Japan; however, there are restrictions. Genitalia must be pixelated or censored and all participants must be 18 years of age or older, unless it is of a fictional character(s).

Malaysia

Pornography is illegal in Malaysia with fines of up to RM10,000 for owning or sharing pornographic materials. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked more than 2,400 pornographic websites between 2018 and 2020.

Nepal

Nepali law identifies pornography as illegal. The sharing, distribution and broadcasting of pornographic content through any medium is prohibited. In 2010 it was reported that the Home Ministry had banned access to a list of websites including explicitly adult websites. In September 2018, concerns about violence against women led the Government of Nepal to announce its intention to ban online pornography. From 24 September, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) began to put a block on all websites providing pornographic content on the orders of the Nepal Government Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MOCIT). By 12 October more than 21,000 pornographic websites had been blocked.

North Korea

Main article: Pornography in North Korea

Both domestic and imported works of pornography have been available in North Korea since recent decades. Producing, distributing, importing and watching pornography is prohibited.

There is no access to foreign pornographic websites from within North Korea.

Pakistan

See also: Pornography in Pakistan

Pornography in Pakistan is illegal and is subject to several legal provisions. Since November 2011 the Government has placed a complete ban on Internet websites containing pornographic material. The list of banned websites is updated on an ongoing basis. Despite this, child pornography is illegal and strictly forbidden in Pakistan and there are severe punishments for possessing or viewing child pornography which include a minimum of 14 years to 20 years in prison and a fine of 1 million Rupees. Pakistan also has cyber unit to curb child pornography within the country. The unit has a team of 40 members and one director-level official, who independently investigate the issue. The unit is integrated with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Philippines

See also: Pornography in the Philippines

The Philippine penal code prohibits the production and distribution of obscene publications. Despite this, enforcement is lax. Some local productions of pornography are known to exist in the country.

As of January 14, 2017, several pornography sites, mostly mainstream ones such as Pornhub and XVideos, have been blocked in the Philippines as part of a government crackdown on child pornography. The Philippine government cites Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Law as legal justification for the blocks. The list of sites blocked vary depending on the internet service provider enforcing them.

Saudi Arabia

Items considered pornographic by Saudi Arabian standards are forbidden in the country. Customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of pornographic items into Saudi Arabia. Such items may be confiscated on arrival and the owner may be subject to a fine.

South Korea

Further information: Internet censorship in South Korea

There is no penalty for viewing or possessing pornography on the Internet in South Korea with the exception of child pornography, for which possession carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, while distributing, selling or displaying it for commercial purposes carries a maximum sentence of ten years.

Many foreign pornographic websites are blocked, and those found to be operating from within the country are shut down. The Korea Internet Safety Commission is responsible for instructing Internet service providers to block access to "pornography and nudity". Google Search in South Korea filters search results for around 700 terms considered by the government to be adult in nature unless the user demonstrates that they are aged over 19.

Sri Lanka

Main article: Pornography in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, it is illegal to distribute pictorial or video pornography to persons under the age of 14.

Syria

Pornography is banned in the country. The government has blocked access to around 160 websites.

Thailand

Possession, production and distribution of pornography for the purposes of trade is illegal in Thailand under section 287 of the Thai Penal Code. The same section also criminalizes participating or assisting in the trade of pornography. A person guilty under this section can be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years or fined not exceeding THB6,000 or both.

Despite this, pornography is widely available in Thailand and the law remains usually unenforced with the exception of some high-profile cases. On November 3, 2020, The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society announced that it has banned Pornhub, along with 190 other pornographic websites. The ministry stated that the ban was part of the efforts to restrict access to pornography and gambling websites, which remains illegal in Thailand.

Turkmenistan

A law passed on 1 January 2015 bans access to internet pornography in Turkmenistan.

Vietnam

Production, distribution, broadcasting, transport, import and advertisement of pornography, is strictly illegal in Vietnam. In 1996 officials became concerned about pornographic films in the country and launched a campaign, with courts awarding fines and prison sentences. Pornography in Vietnam is classed as a "social evil".

Europe

Main article: Pornography in Europe

Belarus

Production, dissemination and assembly of pornography is illegal under article 343 of the Criminal Code, being punishable with up to four years in prison.

France

In France, pornography is overall permitted, but with distinctions:

• Hardcore pornography must not be sold to persons under the age of 18.
• Softcore pornography must not be sold to persons under the age of 16.
• Extremely violent or graphic pornography is considered X-rated, and so may be shown only in specific theaters, and may not be displayed to minors.
• Some pornography has a special VAT (value-added tax): a 33% tax is levied on X-rated movies, and a 50% excise is placed on pornographic online services.

The ratings system has caused controversy. For example, in 2000 the sexually explicit and violent film Baise-moi was initially rated only as "restricted" by the French government. This classification was overturned by a Conseil d'État ruling in a lawsuit brought by associations supporting Christian and family values.

Some movies are forbidden to persons under the age of 18, without the requirement for an X rating, such as Baise-moi, Ken Park or Saw 3, so that these movies can be viewed in theaters and not attract VAT.

Germany

Main article: Pornography in Germany

The constitution and law are very strict about hardcore pornography, especially when compared to very liberal laws about softcore pornography, prostitution and sex shops. Supplying hardcore pornography to people who are less than 18 years old is an offence, and shops selling it must keep people under the age of 18 from entering their premises. If only a part of the shop is dedicated to pornography, it must be completely closed off from the rest of the premises. Alternatively, shops may choose not to display their goods or advertise that they sell them, in which case minors may be admitted. Websites hosting pornographic material within Germany must comply with very strict rules about verifying that viewers are over 18.

Softcore pornography is less restricted, and may even be broadcast on TV at night. The age threshold is usually FSK-16. In contrast many uncut action films or video games easily reach the FSK-18 rating.

Hungary

Main article: Pornography in Hungary

Pornography is generally legal in Hungary

In 2021 Hungary's parliament passed a law that bans providing pornography that promotes gender reassignment or homosexuality to anyone under 18 years old.

Iceland

The production or sale of pornography is prohibited in Iceland. Heavy fines were applied in 2001 and ten years earlier a fine was applied to the first manager of the first private TV station (and the only case to present) in Iceland for showing the Danish "mainstream" Zodiac-films, I Tvillingernes tegn and I Tyrens tegn. In early 2013 there was a draft proposal by Ögmundur Jónasson, the Minister of the Interior, to extend the ban to online pornography to protect children from violent sexual imagery. The plan has been stalled since the change in government during the parliamentary election on 27 April 2013. Since then, there have been no changes to the relevant legislation, and no changes have been formally proposed.

Italy

Main article: Pornography in Italy

In Italy, it is illegal to distribute pictorial or video pornography to persons under the age of 18. However, persons over 18 years of age are permitted to view pornographic material.

Netherlands

Main article: Pornography in the Netherlands

Pornography is legal in the Netherlands.

Romania

Pornography is legal in Romania since 2003. However, all pornographic sites hosted in the country must be locked with a password, and a tax per minute must be paid by the website owners.

Russia

According to Russian law, consumption of pornography is allowed though the production of it is not. The illegal production, distribution, and "public demonstration" of pornography is punishable by a 2- to 6-year prison term. Roskomnadzor, the Russian government's media overseer, has the power to order the blocking of pornographic websites. In 2015 the agency required the blocking of the Russian-language version of Pornhub and 10 other pornographic sites on the basis of a court ruling.

There is nevertheless some uncertainty concerning the legal status of pornography in Russia. The law criminalizes only the 'illegal' production and selling of pornography (which implies that it sometimes can be legal), but two issues make enforcement of the law difficult: there is no legal definition of pornography, and there is no law defining when production or selling is permitted.

Ukraine

Pornographic production, distribution, broadcasting (both audio and video), transportation, import and advertisement is forbidden by law in Ukraine.

United Kingdom

Main article: Pornography in the United Kingdom

In England and Wales, the main legislation on pornographic materials is the Obscene Publications Act 1959, the Obscene Publications Act 1964, the Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981, and the Video Recordings Act 1984. Video-oriented depictions of hardcore pornographic material (with certain exceptions for works considered primarily "artistic" rather than pornographic) were banned until 1999, when the removal of trade barriers with other European Union member states allowed for the relatively free movement of such goods for personal use.

Under terms set out in the Video Recordings Act 1984, all forms of pornographic material released on either DVD or video formats, within the United Kingdom must, as with general works released on such formats, first be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), who will generally place such works at their self-assigned "18" or "R18" categories. The latter category can only be legally sold in licensed sex shops and shown in licensed adult cinemas.

In addition to this, under criminal law, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (in England and Wales), the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (in Scotland), and the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (in Northern Ireland) each make it a criminal offence for an adult to display pornographic material to a minor (defined under all three acts as a person under the age of 16).

The British Board of Film Classification can, as with all works, issue compulsory cuts to pornographic material (generally when such material is in breach of either the Video Recordings Act 1984, the Obscene Publications Act 1959, and the Obscene Publications Act 1964, with current interpretation of such acts being incorporated into the guidelines which the BBFC as a whole, operate under). Without such cuts issued works can be refused classification (therefore barring the sale of a work on DVD or video formats within the United Kingdom).

In 2008, the Crown Prosecution Service unsuccessfully prosecuted a man under the Obscene Publications Act (the R v Walker trial) for a textual story on a pornography website involving Girls Aloud. Also that year, the Home Office introduced legislation to criminalize possession of what it has labelled extreme pornography; these laws are now contained in sections 63 to 68 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.

Oceania

American Samoa

Pornography is illegal in American Samoa and is punishable by a fine of up to $USD5,000.

Australia

See also: Censorship in Australia and Child pornography laws in Australia

In Australia, it is legal to possess pornographic material, with some extreme exceptions. However, it is illegal to sell, exhibit or rent X-rated pornographic material in all states (Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Queensland) but it is legal to do so in the two territories (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory). As the Australian constitution prohibits states from regulating interstate commerce, it is permitted to purchase pornography in either territory and then bring it interstate. As a result, the majority of Australian mail-order operations for adult material operate from the ACT.

In 2007, the Northern Territory National Emergency Response introduced by the Howard government made the possession of RC and X18+ pornography an offence in some Aboriginal communities.

Some types of pornography (both real and fictitious) are technically illegal in Australia and if classified would be rated RC and therefore banned in Australia. This includes any pornography depicting violent BDSM, incest, paedophilia, bestiality, certain extreme fetishes (such as golden showers) and/or indicators of youth (such as wearing a school uniform).

Fiji

There is no law prohibiting the accessing of online adult pornography in Fiji.

Nauru

Pornography, including online pornography, is illegal in Nauru and pornographic websites are blocked.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, pornography is generally treated in a liberal manner and very little is banned by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. However, the most extreme forms of pornography (such as child pornography, rape, necrophilia, bestiality, urophilia and coprophilia) are classified as objectionable material by the Office of Film and Literature Classification, effectively banning them. Indecency laws still criminalise some acts under the Crimes Act 1961. Pornographic DVDs and magazines that arrive in New Zealand need to be examined by either New Zealand Customs, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand Police or the Office of Film and Literature Classification before being given an R18 classification. Internet pornography is also regulated but only if websites are based in New Zealand, in which case they will need consent from Department of Internal Affairs. Possession of any material that has objectionable content (which is illegal in New Zealand) is punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine, or 14 years in jail for distribution of same.

Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, the possession, import, export, and sale of pornography are all offenses. Control is strict. According to the government, all websites containing pornography, nudity or depictions of sex are blocked and the government has been blocking such sites since early 2009. Under the law, persons who possess, own, import, export, sell or exhibit pornography to the public are subject to arrest and trial and can face up to six months' imprisonment and/or a fine up to 50,000 to 100,000 Papua New Guinean kina. In PNG, pornography is subject to legal restraints to publication on grounds of obscenity. Laws relating to pornography in Papua New Guinea are vague. The main legislation used in dealing with cases relating to pornographic nature refer back to the Chapter 262 Criminal Code of Papua New Guinea, Lukautim Pikinini Act 2009, Classification of Publication Censorship Act 1989 and the National ICT Act, 2009. Improper Use of ICT Services.

Samoa

In 2021, a court ruled that online pornography should be blocked by Samoa's two major service providers, Digicel and Vodafone.

Tonga

Under the Pornography Control Act 2002, pornography is illegal and punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, three years in prison or both.

Vanuatu

Production of pornography is illegal in Vanuatu.

See also

• Legality of child pornography
• Legal status of fictional pornography depicting minors