Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-102
§559 Obscene Programming
Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER V–A — CABLE COMMUNICATIONS › Part IV — Miscellaneous Provisions › § 559
Summary
Sending obscene or otherwise unprotected cable content risks Title 18 fines, 2-yr jail, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §559
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever transmits over any cable system any matter which is obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution of the United States shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Pub. L. 104–104 substituted “under title 18” for “not more than $10,000”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective 60 days after Oct. 30, 1984, except where otherwise expressly provided, see section 9(a) of Pub. L. 98–549, set out as a note under section 521 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
47 U.S.C. § 559
Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102