Lots of interesting questions came to mind as I started to set up this site, and one of them was what to do about the ‘Must Protect The Children on the Internet’ provision of USC 2557. It states that the people behind a website (that would be me) need to have a model release of everyone who is featured on the site to show they are over 18. Okay, so am I model here? Well, I think I am. But then am I modelling? Is it just manipulation of triangles as a graphics package? Good questions. What would happen if I was in SL as a 14 year old (by pulling a Big/Tom Hanks on my 35 year old body)? Would I be an underage model then? How about a 900 year old sorceress in the body of a 14 year old in Second Life? I have no idea.
What I do know is that I’m not underage in the game, or in real life, and I give myself clearance to publish my work on the site. And of course, I’m nowhere near the USA…. But having that statement at the bottom of the page does lend an air of credibility to the site.
18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement
