2012 Delaware Code
Title 11 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
CHAPTER 5. SPECIFIC OFFENSES
Subchapter III. Offenses Involving Property
§ 858. Unlawful operation of a recording device.

(a)(1) Any person who knowingly operates the audiovisual recording function of any device in a motion picture theater while the motion picture is being exhibited, for the purpose of distributing or transmitting a still photographic image of the motion picture, without the consent of the motion picture theater owner, is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

(2) Any person who knowingly operates the audiovisual recording function of any device in a motion picture theater for the purpose of recording a motion picture, while the motion picture is being exhibited, without the consent of the motion picture theater owner, is guilty of a is guilty of a class A misdemeanor which not withstanding any law to the contrary, may also include a fine of up to $50,000.

(b) The term "audiovisual recording function" means the capability of a device to record or transmit a motion picture or any part thereof by means of any technology now known or later developed.

(c) The term "motion picture theater" means a movie theater, screening room, or other public venue that is being utilized primarily for the exhibition of a motion picture at the time of the offense.

(d) A motion picture theater owner, a supervisor, agent or employee, 18 years of age or older, who has probable cause to believe that a person has recorded or transmitted a substantial portion of a motion picture and has intentionally violated paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may, for the purpose of summoning a law enforcement officer, take the person into custody and detain the person in a reasonable manner on the premises for a reasonable time.

(e) A motion picture theater owner, a supervisor, agent or employee, 18 years of age or older who detains a person pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or who causes or provides information leading to the arrest of any person under subsection (a) of this section, shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for such detention or arrest provided they had, at the time of such detention or arrest, probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime defined in subsection (a) of this section.

(f) A motion picture theater owner, a supervisor, agent or employee, 18 years of age or older, who has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a crime defined in subsection (a) of this section may eject such person from the premises and shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for such ejection.

(g) This section does not prevent any lawfully authorized investigative, law enforcement protective, or intelligence gathering employee or agent, of the local, state or federal government, from operating any audiovisual recording device in a motion picture theater, as part of lawfully authorized investigative, protective, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering activities.

75 Del. Laws, c. 316, § 1.;