§797 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

Thirty days after the President officially declares a military or naval site or piece of equipment to be "vital" under the law, you must get permission from the site's commanding officer or a higher authority before copying, publishing, selling, or giving away any photo, drawing, map, or similar image of it. If the image clearly shows it was censored by the proper military or naval authority, you do not need permission. Breaking this rule can lead to a fine, up to one year in jail, or both.

Title 18, §797

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after thirty days from the date upon which the President defines any vital military or naval installation or equipment as being within the category contemplated under section 795 of this title, whoever reproduces, publishes, sells, or gives away any photograph, sketch, picture, drawing, map, or graphical representation of the vital military or naval installations or equipment so defined, without first obtaining permission of the commanding officer of the military or naval post, camp, or station concerned, or higher authority, unless such photograph, sketch, picture, drawing, map, or graphical representation has clearly indicated thereon that it has been censored by the proper military or naval authority, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on section 45 and 45b, of title 50, U.S.C., 1940 ed., War and National Defense (Jan. 12, 1938, ch. 2, §§ 1, 3, 52 Stat. 3). Punishment provision of section 45 of title 50, U.S.C., 1940 ed., War and National Defense, is repeated. Words “upon conviction” were deleted as surplusage since punishment cannot be imposed until a conviction is secured. Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.

§797 Publication and Sale of Photographs of Defense Installations