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California legal term

Commercial recording or audiovisual work in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Commercial recording or audiovisual work” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.

What does “Commercial recording or audiovisual work” mean in California criminal law?

“Commercial recording or audiovisual work” means a recording or audiovisual work whose copyright owner, or assignee, authorized agent, or licensee, has made or intends to make available for sale, rental, or for performance or exhibition to the public under license, but does not include an excerpt consisting of less than substantially all of a recording or audiovisual work. (Cal. Penal Code § 653aa)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.