What is legal?

[JoeBannon]

I'm getting some posters made to put up for my rock band at venues. I know it's up the venue to decide, and I'm sure some of them wouldn't care, BUT I'd like to know what most laws say about nudity and what is considered too nude to put up in public places. Anyone care to educate me?

[Casper]

Just off the top of my head, I would say to think more about the enforcement of laws. The laws are on the books in one form or another to go any direction about nudity.

Think about the context of the nudity in the poster and about community standards. After that, who is going to see the poster and who might complain or be offended.

Steve

[JoeBannon]

Originally Posted by Casper

Just off the top of my head, I would say to think more about the enforcement of laws. The laws are on the books in one form or another to go any direction about nudity. Think about the context of the nudity in the poster and about community standards. After that, who is going to see the poster and who might complain or be offended.

I know that most places say nipples and genitalia can't be visible. But what about the butt?

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by JoeBannon

I'm getting some posters made to put up for my rock band at venues. I know it's up the venue to decide, and I'm sure some of them wouldn't care, BUT I'd like to know what most laws say about nudity and what is considered too nude to put up in public places. Anyone care to educate me?

Ask your lawyer, he can tell you what the local DA's hot buttons are but then you never know when Mrs. Grundy is going to see it and call the cops.

Depends to on the public place a bar is one thing a museum another, a public street still different. But in Texas I don't think any homages to Mapplethorp will go well so don't use a bullwhip....

[JoeBannon]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Ask your lawyer, he can tell you what the local DA's hot buttons are but then you never know when Mrs. Grundy is going to see it and call the cops.

I'm going to use these all over the country, not just local. I was thinking someone here might know from their experience so I don't have to hunt down a lawyer.

[Duffy Pratt]

Even if you hunt down a lawyer, the answer is going to be a local one, so no lawyer is going to know the answer for all over the country. And it's probably not worth you paying one to do the research.

The folks you are dealing with who have the most experience at this are the venue owners. I suggest you run a few of the photos by them, for each venue, and see what they think.

Duffy

[KeithAlanK]

If by venues you mean bars, since everyone is supposed to be over 21 you have a small amount of leeway.
But my advice is: a tease is always better than being graphic.
Just hint at it and you will be safe, and you won't alienate any delicate women or men.

[JoeBannon]

Originally Posted by Duffy Pratt

Even if you hunt down a lawyer, the answer is going to be a local one, so no lawyer is going to know the answer for all over the country. And it's probably not worth you paying one to do the research.

The FCC has general rules that the country must follow for local tv. Now that I think about it, I'll look up what they say and go by their rules. I'm sure that will keep me safe for the whole country.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Venues can range from all ages, yes even in Texas you can serve liqour and have an all ages venue for many shows, to 17/18 up to 21 and up only. *real reason that most clubs have 17/18+ restrictions isn't alcohol sales but cigarette vending machines!

To be honest go into a dozen venues and see what is being posted by bands to promote their shows. Also you could troll myspace but many times bands will push the envelope more on an online advert there than they will in printing flyers that are posted in venues.

But really some of the best flyers that I have seen over the years didn't have nudity at all but had a great graphics artist doing their thing.

FCC has not a damn thing to do with this subject!

[LoungeLizard]

Best recommendation (and this is just an opinion) is to look at what is done on CD covers. Look at which are not carried by major chains - and which get "stickers". I wouldn't go beyond that.

For nationwide, you want to err on the side of restraint. Unless, of course, the intent is to get publicity by having the posters taken down or cause legal issues.

[JoeBannon]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

To be honest go into a dozen venues and see what is being posted by bands to promote their shows.

I already do and know what they use. I've seen almost every poster a band has used from the 60s to today.

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

But really some of the best flyers that I have seen over the years didn't have nudity at all but had a great graphics artist doing their thing.

These aren't flyers.

[JoeBannon]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Best recommendation (and this is just an opinion) is to look at what is done on CD covers. Look at which are not carried by major chains - and which get "stickers". I wouldn't go beyond that. For nationwide, you want to err on the side of restraint. Unless, of course, the intent is to get publicity by having the posters taken down or cause legal issues.

These aren't CD covers, but since you mention it, there has been full nudity used on covers before.

[JoeBannon]

I got an answer from another board (GFY) and from someone that works at playboy. No nipples can be seen and she has to be wearing something so it's not to imply that she is nude.

[Steelsun]

It also all depends on local "community standards"

Heck, some prudish counties and cities require magazines like FHM and Vanity Fear to be covered on the news stands so kids won't see the skimpy outfits!