Us Code § 1466 - Engaging in the business of selling or transferring obscene matter

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 1466 — Engaging in the business of selling or transferring obscene matter, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 1466. Engaging in the business of selling or transferring obscene matter

(a) Whoever is engaged in the business of producing with intent to distribute or sell, or selling or transferring obscene matter, who knowingly receives or possesses with intent to distribute any obscene book, magazine, picture, paper, film, videotape, or phonograph or other audio recording, which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or by a fine under this title, or both.

(b) As used in this section, the term "engaged in the business" means that the person who produces 1 sells or transfers or offers to sell or transfer obscene matter devotes time, attention, or labor to such activities, as a regular course of trade or business, with the objective of earning a profit, although it is not necessary that the person make a profit or that the production, selling or transferring or offering to sell or transfer such material be the person's sole or principal business or source of income. The offering for sale of or to transfer, at one time, two or more copies of any obscene publication, or two or more of any obscene article, or a combined total of five or more such publications and articles, shall create a rebuttable presumption that the person so offering them is "engaged in the business" as defined in this subsection.

(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §7521(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4489; amended Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, §3548, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4926; Pub. L. 109–248, title V, §506(b), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 630.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–248, §506(b)(1), inserted "producing with intent to distribute or sell, or" before "selling or transferring obscene matter,".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–248, §506(b)(3), which directed amendment of subsec. (b) by inserting "production," before "selling or transferring or offering to sell or transfer such material.", was executed by making the insertion before "selling or transferring or offering to sell or transfer such material be", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 109–248, §506(b)(2), inserted "produces" before "sells or transfers or offers to sell or transfer obscene matter".

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–647 substituted "this section" for "this subsection" and "this subsection" for "subsection (b)".

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

About This Section

18 U.S.C. § 1466 is part of Title 18 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 1466

What does United States Code § 1466 cover?

Section 1466 ("Engaging in the business of selling or transferring obscene matter") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 1466?

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 1466 apply to my situation?

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Sources & Verification

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