{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "275.33", "citation": "Penal Law § 275.33", "heading": "Unlawful operation of a recording device in a motion picture or live theater in the second degree", "text": ["§ 275.33 Unlawful operation of a recording device in a motion picture or", "live theater in the second degree.", "A person is guilty of unlawful operation of a recording device in a motion picture or live theater in the second degree when he or she violates section 275.32 of this article:", "1. for financial profit or commercial purposes; or", "2. in circumstances where the material recorded is fifteen or more minutes, or all or a substantial portion, of the motion picture or live theatrical performance; or", "3. in circumstances where such person has previously been convicted within the past five years of violating section 275.32 or 275.34 of this article or this section.", "Unlawful operation of a recording device in a motion picture or live theater in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/275.33", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits second-degree unlawful theater recording by violating **§ 275.32** in any of these circumstances:\n\n- **(1)** Recording **for financial profit or commercial purposes**;\n- **(2)** Recording **15 minutes or more**, or all or a substantial part, of the movie or live performance; or ★\n- **(3)** Having a conviction under **§ 275.32, § 275.34, or this section within the past 5 years**.\n\nIt is a **class A misdemeanor**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/275.33", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}