943.49 Unlawful use of recording device in motion picture theater.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Motion picture theater" means a site used for the exhibition of a motion picture to the public.

(b) “Recording" has the meaning given in s. 943.206 (5).

(c) “Recording device" means a camera, an audio or video recorder or any other device that may be used to record or transfer sounds or images.

(d) “Theater owner" means an owner or operator of a motion picture theater.

(2) Use of recording device in movie theater.

(a) No person may operate a recording device in a motion picture theater without written consent from the theater owner or a person authorized by the theater owner to provide written consent.

(b)

1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a person who violates par. (a) is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

2. A person who violates par. (a) is guilty of a Class I felony if the violation occurs after the person has been convicted under this subsection.

(4) Detention of person committing violation. A theater owner, a theater owner's adult employee or a theater owner's security agent who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has violated this section in his or her presence may detain the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable length of time to deliver the person to a peace officer or to his or her parent or guardian in the case of a minor. The detained person must be promptly informed of the purpose for the detention and be permitted to make phone calls, but he or she shall not be interrogated or searched against his or her will before the arrival of a peace officer who may conduct a lawful interrogation of the accused person. The theater owner, the theater owner's adult employee or the theater owner's security agent may release the detained person before the arrival of a peace officer or parent or guardian. Any theater owner, theater owner's adult employee or theater owner's security agent who acts in good faith in any act authorized under this section is immune from civil or criminal liability for those acts.

History: 1999 a. 51; 2001 a. 109.