Pornography in Europe#Italy

{{main|Pornography in Albania}}

In Albania, pornography is illegal only for producing, delivery, advertising, import, selling and publication of pornographic materials in persons under 18 years old. Child pornography is strictly prohibited.{{cite web|title=Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania|url=http://pbosnia.kentlaw.edu/resources/legal/albania/crim_code.htm|work=Article 117|access-date=11 June 2013}}

{{main|Pornography in Austria}}

In 1990, the "Federal Act Against Obscene Publications and for the Protection of Youth Morally Endangered" was passed to regulate pornography in Austria. In 1994 a prohibition on child pornography was added to the law. Under these regulations the minimum age for buying hardcore pornography is 16. Publication of pornography or material depicting bestiality is illegal.{{cite book|title=The Continuum Complete International Encyclopedia of Sexuality|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dciuj1-F3fYC|first1=Robert T.|last1=Francoeur|first2=Raymond J.|last2=Noonan|publisher=A&C Black|year=2004|isbn=9780826414885|pages=52–53}}

{{main|Pornography in Belarus}}

Pornography is illegal in Belarus. Production, distribution, promotion, exhibition as well as possession with intent of distribution or promotion of pornographic materials or objects of pornographic nature is punished by Belarusian criminal law and results in compulsory community service, fine or up to 4 years imprisonment.[http://pravo.kulichki.com/vip/uk/00000025.htm#g30 Republic of Belarus Criminal Code — Article 343. "Production and distribution of pornografic materials or objects of pornographic nature".] {{in lang|ru}}

{{main|Pornography in Belgium}}

{{Main|Pornography in Bulgaria}}

In the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1946–1990) pornography was only available to a comparatively limited number of people. What pornographic materials there were (mostly magazines and videocassettes) were smuggled into the country. The abandonment of censorship in the early post-communist period resulted in pornography becoming widely available. In the early 1990s pornographic magazines were sold at newsstands, pirated foreign pornographic videocassettes became available and foreign pornographic television stations were accessible. The first Bulgarian pornographic film was made in 1992.{{cite book|title=Recent Social Trends in Bulgaria, 1960–1995|last=Ninov|first=Borislav|editor-last1=Genov|editor-first1=Nikolai|editor-last2=Krasteva|editor-first2=Anna|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press|year=2001|isbn=9780773568259|series=Comparative Charting of Social Change|volume=8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AwsSPUrDfb0C|pages=395–8}}

The production and distribution of pornography is illegal in Bulgaria.{{cite web|url=https://www.lex.bg/index.php/bg/laws/ldoc/1589654529#i_46601|title=PENAL CODE, Article 159|language=bg|access-date=31 August 2018}} The filming of pornography and the online distribution of sexual content are illegal. There are no Bulgarian pornographic production companies. Accessing, possessing or storing pornographic materials is not illegal (except for child pornography).

The penalty for production or distribution of pornography is up to one year imprisonment (or up to two years if the perpetrator used the Internet) and a fine of 1000 to {{currency|3000|BGN|first=y|linked=yes}}. The penalty for distribution or possession of child pornography is up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to {{currency|2000|BGN|first=y|linked=no}}. Authorities tolerate illegal distribution of hardcore porn in designated shops, and on television after 11:00{{nbs}}p.m. Softcore material is rarely censored. Magazines and pornographic papers have become increasingly available since the fall of communism in 1989, and local editions of many international porn magazines are published. Society is often exposed to sexual content in advertising.{{cite web | url=http://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=3634 | title=Act to amend the Criminal Code of Bulgaria | publisher=Bulgarian Parliament | date=2007-05-11 | access-date=2014-07-14|language=bg}}{{cite web | url=http://www.capital.bg/biznes/tehnologii_i_nauka/2007/05/23/342834_onlain_pornografiiata_gastrolira_v_nk/ | title=Online pornography appears in State Gazette of Bulgaria | publisher=Еconomedia | date=2007-05-23 | access-date=2014-07-14 | page=1}}

{{main|Pornography in Croatia}}

{{main|Pornography in Cyprus}}

{{main|Pornography in the Czech Republic}}

Pornography in the Czech Republic was legalized in 1993 following the Velvet Revolution, when the country ceased to be a communist state and returned to liberal democracy. Among the Czech companies that produce pornography are LegalPorno Studios, based in Prague.

The sale and distribution of child pornography is illegal and is punishable by imprisonment for up to 3 years. Possession of child pornography was made illegal in 2007 and carries a penalty of up to 2 years in prison. The Czech penal code also bans the sale and distribution of pornography depicting sexual intercourse with an animal and pornography depicting violence or disrespect to human beings, with a penalty of up to 1 year in prison.{{cite web|url=http://business.center.cz/business/pravo/zakony/trestni-zakonik/cast2h3.aspx |title=Trestní zákoník – Část II. – Hlava III. – Trestné činy proti lidské důstojnosti v sexuální oblasti |publisher=Business.center.cz |access-date=2014-01-21}}

{{Main|Pornography in Denmark}}

A ban on pornographic literature was lifted in 1967. In 1969, Denmark became the first country in the world to legalize pornography.[http://www.iub.edu/~kinsey/ccies/dk.php Denmark in the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113170352/http://www.iub.edu/~kinsey/ccies/dk.php |date=2011-01-13 }} – "...Denmark was the first country in the world to legitimize written pornography in 1967 (followed by pictorial pornography in 1969).". People in Denmark have free access to pornography. Pornography including minors younger than 18 years is prohibited since 1980, and possession of the same is also illegal.

{{main|Pornography in Estonia}}

Pornography is legal, distribution or production is regulated by law.{{cite web|url=https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/520012015009/consolide |title=Act to Regulate Dissemination of Works which Contain Pornography or Promote Violence or Cruelty – Riigi Teataja |language=en |publisher=Riigiteataja.ee |access-date=2019-08-11}}

{{main|Pornography in Finland}}

In Finland, child pornography is illegal, along with violent and bestial pornography.{{cite web |url=http://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/ajantasa/1889/18890039001 |title=Strafflag, 17 KAP, 18 § |publisher=Finlex.fi |access-date=2014-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328075359/http://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/ajantasa/1889/18890039001 |archive-date=2013-03-28 |url-status=dead }} It is legal to sell pornography in any store, but magazines may not be sold to buyers less than 16 years of age, and hardcore is restricted to buyers aged at least 18.

Prior to 1 January 1999, all indecent publishing, including the import and export thereof, was banned.{{cite web|url=http://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/alkup/1927/19270023|title=FINLEX ® – Ursprungliga författningar: 23/1927|work=finlex.fi|access-date=17 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924071407/http://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/alkup/1927/19270023|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

{{main|Pornography in France

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{{main|Pornography in Germany}}

Pornography is legal with the exception of child pornography. German prosecution authorities and legal bodies of Germany's sixteen states handle the definition of child pornography very differently. The German Edathy affair of {{nowrap|2013{{ndash}}14}} following the neglected cooperation of BKA within the Canadian child pornography uncoverings gave way for new legislation procedures in parliament to define the status of either posing or exhibitive pictures of minors. New laws were still in parliamentary debating as recently as 19{{nbs}}December 2014.{{needs update inline|date=May 2023}}

Pornography in Greece is illegal by selling or publishing material and it is illegal to minors under 18 years old. Despite the fact, the practice is still commonly done because the law is weakly enforced. Pornographic material is sold in sex shops, DVD-clubs, mini markets, and kiosk shops. There is also a local pornographic production which began unofficially in the 1970s, which then became official and full legal since 2008.{{cite web|url=https://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/04/22/sex-and-the-silly-the-greek-porn-project/|website=Greek Reporter|title=Sex And The Silly: The Greek Porn Project|last=Arkouli|first=Maria|date=2013-04-23|access-date=2020-04-29}} Child pornography is illegal and is punished by imprisonment and monetary penalties.{{cite web|url=http://www.safeline.gr/nomothesia/pornografia-anilikon|website=SafeLine.gr|title=Νομοθεσία - Πορνογραφία ανηλίκων|access-date=2020-04-29|language=el}}

{{main|Pornography in Hungary}}

In Hungary, the production of pornography mainly dates from the period after the fall of communism in 1989. The production and distribution of pornography was illegal under communism, but the laws were liberalised with the emergence of democracy.{{sfn|Sigel|2005|loc=The Hungarian Example|p=180}} Permissive government policies soon propelled the country to the forefront of the European pornography industry. Several foreign directors were attracted to the country's liberal legislation, cheap production costs and large supply of attractive female performers.{{sfn|Sigel|2005|loc=The Hungarian Example|p=179}} Eventually, domestic producers began to prosper as well, and several female actresses made big names for themselves within the industry. Hungarian pornography is different from that produced in America in the more natural appearance of its performers. The sex scenes also tend to be more extreme, with frequent use of anal sex and various forms of multiple penetration.{{sfn|Sigel|2005|loc=The Hungarian Example|pp=187–9}}

Publication of pornography is illegal in Iceland,{{cite web|url=http://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/1940019.html#G210 |title=(Icelandic language) Icelandic general criminal code, article 210 |publisher=Althingi.is |access-date=2014-01-21}} and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 6 months. Publication of child pornography is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years. In 2013 the Icelandic government proposed banning violent Internet pornography{{Cite news|title = Naked ambition|url = https://www.economist.com/news/international/21576366-iceland-determined-outlaw-worlds-oldest-business-can-it-succeed-naked-ambition|newspaper = The Economist|access-date = 19 August 2015|issn = 0013-0613}}{{cite web|title = Creating gender equity: Lessons from Iceland|url = http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/04/20134274739879996.html|website = www.aljazeera.com|access-date = 19 August 2015|first = Meghan|last = Murphy}} and Iceland's parliament began debating a ban on online pornography.{{cite news|last=McVeigh|first=Tracy|title=Can Iceland lead the way towards a ban on violent online pornography?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/16/iceland-online-pornography|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=17 February 2013|date=2013-02-16}}

Other than regulations regarding pornographic movies, no laws against pornography, other than child pornography (a child is defined as someone under 17), exist.{{cite act |index=22 of 1998 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1998/act/22/enacted/en/html |date=29 June 1998 |legislature=Oireachtas na hÉireann |title=Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998}}

{{main|Pornography in Italy}}

Although Italy had accumulated a lot of softcore pornography in the 1970s, hardcore pornography was not a usual trend until the 1980s. The first pornographic film in Italy was Il Telefono rosso (The red telephone) in 1983 by Riccardo Schicchi with Ilona Staller (aka "Cicciolina"). The film caused much controversy and it was restrained from legal release until 1986 with an alternate revision of Italian censorship laws.

In Latvia, the distribution of pornographic material is allowed under very similar legal conditions as in Poland.{{cite web |url=http://www.vvc.gov.lv/export/sites/default/docs/LRTA/Likumi/Law_on_Pornography_Restrictions.doc |title=Law on Pornography Restrictions |access-date=2014-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927194127/http://www.vvc.gov.lv/export/sites/default/docs/LRTA/Likumi/Law_on_Pornography_Restrictions.doc |archive-date=2013-09-27 |url-status=dead }} Pornographic or erotic material is rarely to never sold in places accessible to general public.

Lithuania has some of the strictest laws on pornography.{{cite news |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1950776/lithuanian-court-relaxes-rules-on-sexting |title=Lithuanian court relaxes rules on sexting |website=LRT RADIO |first=Urtė |last=Korsakovaitė |date=30 March 2023}} Distribution, production and acquisition of pornographic material is prohibited by Article 309 of the country's Criminal Code which states in section 1 that "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".{{cite web|title=Article 309. Possession of Pornographic Material|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_e?p_id=366707}}

In Malta, pornography and obscene material was prohibited until the latter part of 2016, regardless of whether it was for commercial purposes or whether it was directed at an adult audience. The relevant law in this respect was Article 208 (1) of the Criminal Code of Malta which prohibited the manufacture, print, importation, circulation and exportation of pornographic or obscene print, painting, photograph, film, book, card or writing, or any other obscene article whatsoever, whether for gain, or for distribution, or for display in a public place. In a decision given on 21 February 2011,{{cite web|title=Il-Pulizija vs Alexander Baldacchino, Court of Criminal Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction), 21 February 2011 (Reference 419/2010)|url=https://gov.mt/frame.asp?l=1&url=http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/courtservices/judgements/default.aspx}} the Maltese Court of Criminal Appeal upheld the criminal conviction of Mr. Alexander Baldacchino who was found guilty of exhibiting soft and hardcore pornographic films at the City Lights Theatre in Valletta.{{cite web|title=Waylon Johnston, 'Valletta cinema operator accused of screening pornographic films' (timesofmalta.com, 25 July 2009)|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090725/local/valletta-cinema-operator-accused-of-screening-pornographic-films.266640}} In another judgement, student editor Mark Camilleri and author Alex Vella Gera were found not guilty under Article 208 (1) of the Criminal Code and Article 7 of the Press Act (obscene libel) for the publication of an obscene story entitled Li Tkisser Sewwi (translated in English to 'Repair that which you break') in student newspaper Realtà (distributed for free on campus at the University of Malta) by the Court of Magistrates (Malta). The decision was upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeal.{{cite web|title=Waylon Johnston, 'Acquittal of editor, writer confirmed by appeals court' (timesofmalta.com, 09 February 2012)|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120209/local/Aquittal-of-editor-writer-confirmed-by-appeals-court.405940}}

In 2015, the Minister of Social Justice Owen Bonnici started to work on legislation to allow both services or art to create pornographic material while also giving official right to access pornographic material.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-07-08/local-news/Porn-shops-to-be-allowed-in-Malta-no-longer-a-crime-to-vilify-religion-6736138532|title=Porn shops to be allowed in Malta, no longer a crime to vilify religion|date=8 July 2015|newspaper=The Malta Independent|access-date=3 September 2016}} By late 2016 the parliament of Malta allowed most pornographic material.{{cite web|url=http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=27811&l=1 |title=Leġiżlazzjoni Malta |publisher=Justiceservices.gov.mt |date=2016-07-19 |accessdate=2022-05-09}} Pornography involving minors and extreme forms of expression, including threats with the use of such material, remain illegal.{{cite web|url=http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=27845&l=1 |title=Leġiżlazzjoni Malta |publisher=Justiceservices.gov.mt |date= |accessdate=2022-05-09}}

{{main|Pornography in the Netherlands}}

• Article 240a indirectly prohibits giving pornographic pictures to children younger than 16 years. Maximum imprisonment is one year, or a fine of the 4th category (€19,500).{{cite web|url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/TweedeBoek/TitelXIV/Artikel240a/geldigheidsdatum_24-12-2012 |title=wetten.nl – Wet- en regelgeving – Wetboek van Strafrecht – BWBR0001854 |language=nl |publisher=Wetten.overheid.nl |date=2012-12-24 |access-date=2014-01-21}}
• Article 240b prohibits child pornography, which is defined as a picture showing a person younger than 18 performing sexual acts. Maximum imprisonment is 4 years or a fine of the 5th category (€78,000). It also prohibits making a profession or habit of it. The maximum imprisonment in that case is 6 years or a fine of the 5th category (€78,000).{{cite web|url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/TweedeBoek/TitelXIV/Artikel240b/geldigheidsdatum_24-12-2012 |title=wetten.nl – Wet- en regelgeving – Wetboek van Strafrecht – BWBR0001854 |language=nl |publisher=Wetten.overheid.nl |date=2012-12-24 |access-date=2014-01-21}}
• Article 248e prohibits online dating with minors (0–15 years old) in order to have sex or to make porn with them. The maximum imprisonment in that case is 2 years or a fine of the 4th category (€19,500).{{cite web|url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/TweedeBoek/TitelXIV/Artikel248e/geldigheidsdatum_24-12-2012 |title=wetten.nl – Wet- en regelgeving – Wetboek van Strafrecht – BWBR0001854 |language=nl |publisher=Wetten.overheid.nl |date=2012-12-24 |access-date=2014-01-21}}
• Article 254a prohibits bestiality porn. Maximum imprisonment is 6 months or a fine of the 3rd category (€7,800).{{cite web|url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/TweedeBoek/TitelXIV/Artikel254a/geldigheidsdatum_24-12-2012 |title=wetten.nl – Wet- en regelgeving – Wetboek van Strafrecht – BWBR0001854 |language=nl |publisher=Wetten.overheid.nl |date=2012-12-24 |access-date=2014-01-21}}

In Norway, hardcore material was illegal until 2006 de jure to distribute, or sell, but legal to possess. Production, however, was not explicitly illegal, thus both photo and movie shoots occurred. One could acquire pornography abroad, on the Internet, or via satellite TV. Illegal porn shops also existed, especially in larger cities. To satisfy legal requirements, editors of erotic magazines, domestic TV channels, and cable TV obscured sexual organs in activity using black rectangles and the like. After the Supreme Court of Norway unanimously acquitted a former magazine editor on 7 December 2005 for publishing unobscured hardcore pornography in 2002, it became understood that printed hardcore pornography was no longer illegal. Pornography became legal on March 14, 2006. Regular and cable TV tend to abide by the old standards, seeing that edited TV is regulated by a separate law and thus is not affected by the Supreme Court decision. Video-on-demand, however, is not regulated by the TV laws, and, thus, pornography is legal to order.

The depiction of illegal sexual activities, including those involving children, animals, necrophilia, rape, violence, or the use of force, remains illegal.{{cite web | url=http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2005/12/07/451567.html | title=Høyesterett sier ja til porno — Dagbladet.no | access-date=2006-08-26}}{{cite web | url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article1174004.ece | title=Porno-frifinnelse i Høyesterett | access-date=2006-08-26}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/kultur/5301377.html | title=NRK.no — Kultur | access-date=2006-08-26}}

In Poland, as of September 1998, Article 202 of the national Penal Code makes pornography legal except for the production or possession of pornographic materials containing minors, bestiality (zoophilia), and "scenes of violence/rape". Also illegal is presenting or showing pornographic materials to people who do not want to have any contact with them, and to persons under 15 years of age.[http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU19970880553 Art. 200 § 3 and art. 202 of the Penal Code]

In Portugal, hardcore pornographic movies can only be shown in adult cinemas. Videos and magazines are openly sold in newsstands but are forbidden by law to be supplied to minors under the age of 18 years. Additionally, hardcore pornographic movies are banned from open-channel TV and can only be broadcast through encrypted/pay-per-view channels.

Child pornography (i.e., pornography depicting children or juveniles below the age of 18) is illegal. Although the national age of consent is 14, the age of legal responsibility (i.e., the age a person can sign contracts consenting to appear in pornography) is 18.

Romania legalized pornography in 2003. Production and distribution of pornography is legal, and regulated by the Law 196/13.05.2003.{{Cite web |title=Legea 196/2003 privind prevenirea si combaterea pornografiei, republicata 2014. Lege nr. 196/2003 republicata |url=https://www.dreptonline.ro/legislatie/lege_combaterea_pornografiei_196_2003_rep_2008.php |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=www.dreptonline.ro}} Child pornography is punishable with up from 1 to 5 years imprisonment, according to the article 374 of the Romanian Penal Code.{{Cite web |title=Art. 374 Noul Cod Penal Pornografia infantilă Infracţiuni contra ordinii şi liniştii publice |url=https://legeaz.net/noul-cod-penal/art-374 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=LegeAZ |language=ro-ro}}

The status on zoophilic pornography in uncertain, as there no laws that ban or at least, define it.

Most Russian pornography is produced in Moscow and in St. Petersburg where the largest adult film producer, SP-Company, is based. The types of Russian adult films may range from gonzo pornography to adaptations of Russian classics (Eugene Onegin (by Tatiana Taneyeva (2003)), The Master and Margarita (by Armen Oganezov & Sergei Pryanishnikov (2002)) etc.) and these productions basically aim the domestic market. Much of the pornography is produced for the international internet market.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}

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.{{cite news|title=Russia Blocks Access to Popular Porn Sites|url=http://www.tol.org/client/article/26316-russia-pornhub-roskomnadzor-blacklist-media.html|date=15 September 2016|work=Transitions Online|access-date=16 November 2016}}

Pornography was illegal in Francoist Spain, although some people travelled to France to see films such as Last Tango in Paris and some group tours to French X-rated cinemas were organised.{{cite news|title=Spain's sexual awakening: How a soft porn epidemic helped the country fly|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/how-erotic-film-boom-helped-spain-fly-1-5604358|date=17 July 2018|author=Jesse Barker|newspaper=The New European|access-date=23 July 2018}} For climate reasons, a number of Private movies were shot though not released in Spain.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

The censorship of that period ended with Franco's death in 1975. For less than a year there was no censorship at all, and hardcore porn was sometimes shown in main cinemas.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Subsequently the S-rating for films was introduced, allowing softcore pornography to be shown in mainstream cinemas. The film genre that arose was known as destape (undressing) and included popular films such as Las eróticas vacaciones de Stela (Stela's Erotic Vacations), El mundo maravilloso del sexo (The Marvellous World of Sex), Trampa sexual (Sexual Trap) and La orgía (The Orgy). The magazine Interviú, founded in 1976, had revealing covers of famous actresses and included nude photographs inside. In 1983 the S-rating was replaced by the more permissive X-rating.

Like Denmark and the Netherlands, Sweden does not regulate pornography{{cite book|title=Global Perspectives on Social Issues: Pornography|first1=Richard|last1=Procida|first2=Rita James|last2=Simon|publisher=Lexington Books|year=2007|isbn=9780739120927|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gCwR-WxI0x0C|page=35}} and the country has no age laws for the possession or viewing of pornography. Some shops follow a voluntary limit and do not sell to minors. Material that involves animals is legal, though it is subject to animal-welfare laws. BDSM is classified as an "illegal depiction of violence" (olaga våldsskildring).{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

It is illegal for people under the age of 18 to act or pose for pornography in Sweden. Recording, downloading, distributing or watching pornographic photographs and films depicting children is a crime.{{cite web|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/3716461 |title=Illegal to Watch Child Pornography - Radio Sweden | Sveriges Radio |publisher=Sverigesradio.se |date=2010-05-22 |accessdate=2022-05-09}} Swedish child pornography laws outlaw actual photographic material as well as drawn images. The Supreme Court argued, however, that because a conviction would mean a restraint in the defendant’s freedom of expression, the court must present a serious case as to when pornographic manga-styled cartoon images like hentai or lolicon can have any potential to harm a child in any way. Since the images are usually not made in any child’s likeness and because e.g. manga was deemed an expression of Japanese culture, the Supreme Court ruled that the restraint on the defendant’s freedom of expression would be too great if it was punishable due to the images being held to constitute child pornography.{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/women-and-justice/court/supreme_court_of_sweden |title=Women and Justice: Court: Supreme Court of Sweden | Women And Justice | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute |publisher=Law.cornell.edu |date= |accessdate=2022-05-09}}{{cite web|url=https://lagen.nu/dom/nja/2012s400 |title=NJA 2012 s. 400 |publisher=lagen.nu |date=2012-06-15 |accessdate=2022-05-09}}

Pornography in Switzerland is defined by the Article 197 of the Swiss criminal code. The first alinea states that «Any person who offers, shows, passes on or makes accessible to a person who is under the age of 16 pornographic documents, sound or visual recordings, depictions or other articles of a similar nature or pornographic representations, or broadcasts any of the same on radio or television is liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty.» Furthermore, it is illegal to produce, import, store, market, advertise, exhibit, offer, show, pass on or make accessible pornography that depicts sexual acts involving children (under 16 years old) or animals, human excrement, or acts of violence, called "hard pornography".

Since July 2014,{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.ejpd.admin.ch/content/kobik/fr/home/dokumentation/informationen/2014-07-01.html La consommation de pornographie dure est punissable à partir du 1er juillet 2014], Cybercrime Coordination Unit Switzerland, Federal Department of Justice and Police, retrieved 29-08-2014 human excrement and urine are not considered being "hard pornography" anymore. Until June 2014, actors aged 16 and above could participate in a pornography production; however, since July 2014, the age of participation was raised to eighteen. This is due to the Swiss ratification of the Lanzarote Convention.

The age of viewing pornography stays fixed at 16 years old (Art. 197 al. 1 of the Swiss criminal code).

The same materials cited above are nevertheless not regarded as pornographic if they have a cultural or scientific value that justifies their protection by law.[http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19370083/index.html#a197 Swiss Criminal Code Art. 197 – Pornography], admin.ch. Retrieved 2014-05-11.

{{main|Pornography in Turkey}}

Turkey, which is a formally secular state with a Muslim majority, was the first country to legally produce pornographic materials in the Muslim world. After a long period of producing Italian-inspired softcore comedies in the 1970s, the hardcore film Öyle Bir Kadın Ki was distributed in 1979.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}

Pornography was outlawed in Ukraine in 2009 when the then president Victor Yushchenko signed new legislation.{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/07/ukraine_bans_filth/ |title=Ukraine slaps ban on all porn |publisher=Theregister.co.uk |access-date=2014-02-11}} The law has been overwhelmingly approved by the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament).{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/russia-and-its-neighbors/090708/gambling-porn-ukraine |title=In Ukraine, this photo may be porn |publisher=GlobalPost |date=2010-05-30 |access-date=2014-01-21}} The possession, distribution, sale and manufacture of pornographic materials are illegal, with laws strictly enforced. Possession of pornographic material can carry a fine or up to three years imprisonment. Pornography is defined by the law as "vulgar, candid, cynical, obscene depiction of sexual acts, pursuing no other goal, the explicit demonstration of genitals, unethical elements of the sexual act, sexual perversions, realistic sketches that do not meet moral criteria and offend honor and dignity of the human by inciting low instincts".{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/44052/ |title='Pornography' banned, but not defined |publisher=Kyivpost.com |date=2009-06-25 |access-date=2014-01-21}} Pornography for "medical purposes" remains legal.{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/28624/ukraine-bans-pornexcept-for-medical-purposes/ |title=Ukraine bans porn…except for medical purposes |publisher=Inquisitr.com |access-date=2014-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104051506/http://www.inquisitr.com/28624/ukraine-bans-pornexcept-for-medical-purposes/ |archive-date=2014-01-04 |url-status=dead }}

Wiska, one of Ukraine's internationally known pornstars, alleges continuous and unconstitutional persecution for her work abroad, and has unsuccessfully applied for political asylum in the European Union.[http://tsn.ua/glamur/chehiya-ostatochno-vidmovila-kolishniy-pornoaktorci-wiska-v-statusi-bizhenki-304738.html Чехія остаточно відмовила колишній порноакторці Wiska в статусі біженки] {{in lang|uk}}

{{main|Pornography in the United Kingdom}}

"In Britain, where pornography is already more restricted than it is anywhere else in the English-speaking world or in Western Europe", wrote Avedon Carol in 1995, "sexual media is easily smeared for an audience that is seldom given an opportunity to see what really is sold under the name of 'pornography'".{{cite magazine|last=Carol|first=Avedon|url=http://www.fiawol.demon.co.uk/FAC/harm.htm |title=The Harm of Porn |magazine=The Law |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103032928/http://www.fiawol.demon.co.uk/FAC/harm.htm |archive-date=3 November 2013 |date=June–August 1995 |access-date=2014-01-21}}

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 (a person under the age of 16).

Pornographic material released on DVD or video formats is required (under terms set out in the Video Recordings Act 1984) to be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), who will generally place such material either at their assigned ‘18’ or ‘R18’ classifications. The Licensing Act 2003 requires that BBFC classifications be applied to adult works released in England and Wales, or Northern Ireland within a theatrical context.

The current British legislative framework including the Obscene Publications Act 1959 (in England and Wales), the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (in Scotland) and the Video Recordings Act 1984 (which is applied nationwide) leads to a confusing situation in which there is a theoretical ban on the publication and distribution (but not possession) of pornographic material in any form, which is in practice unenforcable due to the vagueness of the legal test of material that "depraves and corrupts". In practice, hardcore material on video and DVD was until recently banned by the requirement under the Video Recordings Act to be certified by the BBFC, while mainstream hardcore material in other forms such as magazines and websites is essentially unrestricted.

Continental European, American and British hardcore pornographic magazines are now openly sold in many British newsagents, for instance. Due to liberalisation in BBFC policy, mainstream hardcore DVDs now receive R18 certificates, legalising them but restricting their sale to licensed sex shops such as those in Soho.

Until it left the European Union on 1 January 2021, the UK was the only Member State of the EU to prohibit private imports of adult pornography by consumers coming from other Member States. In the 2004–2005 fiscal year, the agents of His Majesty's Revenue and Customs seized 96,783 items of pornographic media carried by people travelling into the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/hmrc-report2005.pdf |title=HM Revenue & Customs Annual Report 2004-05 and Autumn Performance Report 2005 |access-date=2014-01-21}}

In 2005, the UK porn industry was estimated to be worth about £1 billion.{{cite news|title=An acceptable career?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4305257.stm|website=BBC News|access-date=14 October 2017|date=1 March 2005}}

{{Portal|Erotica and pornography|Europe}}

• Adult Film Database
• Pornography in the Americas
• Pornography in Asia
• Pornography laws by region

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|editor-last=Sigel|editor-first=Lisa Z.|title=International Exposure: Perspectives on Modern European Pornography, 1800–2000|publisher=Rutgers University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-8135-3519-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KiyY_nlqaQEC&pg=PA178|access-date=2009-10-21}}

• {{cite journal | last = Johnson | first = Paul | title = Pornography and the European Convention on Human Rights | journal = Porn Studies | volume = 1 | issue = 3 | pages = 299–320 | doi = 10.1080/23268743.2014.927706 | date = July 2014 }}

• {{Commonscatinline|Pornography in Europe}}
• [https://www.egafd.com/ European Girls Adult Film Database]

{{Europe topic|prefix=Pornography in|countries_only=yes}}

Category:Culture of Europe