NRS205.216. Unlawful operation of audiovisual recording function in motion picture theater.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, it is unlawful for a person to, without the consent of the owner or lessee of a motion picture theater, knowingly operate an audiovisual recording function of any device in the motion picture theater with the intent to record a motion picture that is being exhibited in that theater.

      2.  Unless a greater penalty is imposed by a specific statute, a person who violates the provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of:

      (a) For a first offense, a misdemeanor; and

      (b) For a second or any subsequent offense, a category D felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

      3.  An owner or lessee of a motion picture theater and an authorized agent or employee of an owner or lessee of a motion picture theater who has reason to believe that a person has operated an audiovisual recording function of any device in the motion picture theater in violation of subsection 1 may take the person into custody and detain the person, on the premises of the motion picture theater, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time, for the purpose of informing a peace officer of the circumstances of such detention. The owner, lessee, agent or employee is presumed to have reason to believe that a person has operated an audiovisual recording function of any device in violation of subsection 1 if the owner, lessee, agent or employee observed the person aiming the device at a screen or other surface while a motion picture was being exhibited on the screen or other surface. Such taking into custody and detention by an owner, lessee, agent or employee does not render the owner, lessee, agent or employee criminally or civilly liable for false arrest, false imprisonment, slander or unlawful detention unless the taking into custody and detention are unreasonable under all the circumstances.

      4.  An owner, lessee, agent or employee is not entitled to the immunity from liability provided for in this section unless there is displayed in a conspicuous place on the premises of the motion picture theater a notice in boldface type clearly legible and in substantially the following form:

 

       It is a crime to record a movie in this theater. If the owner or lessee of the theater or an employee or agent of the owner or lessee has reason to believe that a person is recording a movie in this theater, he or she may detain the person on the premises of the theater for the purpose of notifying a peace officer. Violators of this crime are subject to arrest and prosecution. NRS 205.216.

 

      5.  This section does not prevent a federal, state or local governmental agency or officer thereof who is engaged in any lawful activity related to an investigation, protecting the public, enforcing the laws or gathering information from operating any audiovisual recording function of any device in a motion picture theater as part of that lawful activity.

      6.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Audiovisual recording function” means a function which is capable of recording or transmitting a motion picture or any part thereof by means of any technology now known or later developed.

      (b) “Motion picture theater” means a movie theater, screening room or other venue that is used primarily for the exhibition of a motion picture.

      (Added to NRS by 2005, 525)