A legal question

[Joe A]

Could one of the more expert adult producers please let me know where I can find the law relating to the work models can do under 18.

A 17 y.o posted on a models board offering to work to adult standards.. I replied saying that it's illegal under 18 and some idiot is saying it's ok and wants me to prove what I'm saying..

Please feel free to spam me with your replies.. Or even better reply to the idiot directly at: glazar@operamail.com.

Thanks

[jj]

.....until such time as an expert appears, an answer was posted here months ago: a 16-y-o COULD do, say, full-frontal, but any model release or other such legalese would be invalid as you have to be 18 or over for a contract to be binding.
The consensus was, I believe, that the game's not worth the candle.
ESPECIALLY in the current climate.

[Peter]

Its not illegal for 16-17 yr olds to pose nude,the problems lie in the paperwork and contract law.

So i'm afraid the "idiot" is correct.

[Joe A]

OOPs..

I was a bit wound up earlier.. So I missed a bit..

I know female models can pose nude with parental consent under 18 but the parent/guardian must be present at the shoot. The model turning up with a letter from a parent agreeing to their daughter appearing in this type of image is not legally acceptable as anyone could have written it and used the parents name.

The "Idiot" is saying that the 17 y.o can do adult work legally and I'm saying "Not in the U.K until she is 18!"

Now if anyone could point me in the direction of the previous thread on this matter it would be appreciated..

[Paul]

The parents don't have to be present. I commissioned a shoot of a 16-year-old when I worked on Penthouse and had a letter from her mother giving consent. Having said that, I would wait until she was 18 - just to save the hassle.

[Peter]

Your definition of legal is causing the problems here. if the question is "can a 17yr old pose nude legally?" then yes, she can.

Try walking into a police station with a nude picture of a 17 yr old and "give yourself up". You'll be thrown out.

You may encounter legal problems trying to uphold a model release/contract against a 17 yr old, but that is in the realms of contract law.

Photogrpahing a 17 yr old nude is not a criminal offence.

[Allan]

1. No one under 18 can sign ANY contract.

2. A 16/17 can pose nude as long as a parent gives consent (normally written).

USA law seems more strict with paper work.

I would think that even if a parent did give consent, thatits not a good idea to do a shoot with any girl under 18, and would think it strange for somone who wants to do a shoot with somone who is 16/17.

[magoo]

The other replies are correct. Its perfectly legal to photograph a girl who is aged 16 or 17. But if a dispute arises the girl cannot be bound by any signed contract as she is a minor.

Also I think the main reason photographers/producers avoid under 18s is that they will have difficulties selling to the USA who have stricter laws on age.

[David J]

Not sure if you have videos in mind, but the BBFC guidelines for R18 certificates specify over-18 for performers. When someone challenged their reasons for this, in view of the age of consent being 16, they gave some feeble bullshit reply. But basically the international standard is 18, so it would be difficult to sell anything under-18 commercially.

[George]

Joe,
Who did you say was the idiot?
Game set and match, I think!
Best wishes, as ever
George