653z. (a) Every person who operates a recording device in a motion picture theater while a motion picture is being exhibited, for the purpose of recording a theatrical motion picture and without the express written authority of the owner of the motion picture theater, is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Recording device” means a photographic, digital or video camera, or other audio or video recording device capable of recording the sounds and images of a motion picture or any portion of a motion picture.
(2) “Motion picture theater” means a theater or other premises in which a motion picture is exhibited.
(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under any other provision of law.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 351, Sec. 7. (AB 819) Effective September 27, 2010.)
Structure California Code