2257 Compliance for Clip Site Sellers (ManyVids, Clips4Sale, IWantClips)

Do Clip Site Sellers Need 2257 Records?

Yes — if you produce and sell clips that feature sexually explicit conduct involving performers other than yourself, you are a primary producer under 18 U.S.C. § 2257 and must maintain age verification records.

This applies whether you sell on ManyVids, Clips4Sale, IWantClips, or any other clip platform. The platform you sell through is a separate entity with its own compliance obligations. Your obligations as the producer are independent and non-transferable.

Which Clip Content Triggers 2257?

2257 Applies When:

• Your clip features two or more performers engaged in sexually explicit conduct
• You filmed, directed, or produced the content (you are the "primary producer")
• You hired or collaborated with another performer for the clip

2257 Generally Does NOT Apply When:

• Your clip features only you (solo content)
• The content does not depict "actual sexually explicit conduct" as defined by the statute

Important: The definition of "actual sexually explicit conduct" under 2257 includes sexual intercourse, masturbation, sadistic/masochistic abuse, and lascivious exhibition of the genitals. If your collaborative content falls within this definition, compliance is mandatory.

What the Clip Platforms Do (and Don't Do)

ManyVids

ManyVids requires identity verification for all sellers as part of their platform onboarding. This covers ManyVids' obligations as a distributor. It does not cover your obligations as the producer of the content.

Clips4Sale

Clips4Sale similarly verifies studio owners and may require 2257 compliance statements. But the studio's independent obligation to maintain records for each performer in each clip remains.

IWantClips

Same pattern — platform-level verification covers the platform's obligations, not yours as the content producer.

The bottom line: No clip platform maintains 2257 records on your behalf as a primary producer. That's your responsibility.

What Clip Sellers Need to Do

1. Verify Every Performer

Before filming any clip with another performer:

• Collect a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
• Verify they are at least 18 years old
• Record their legal name, date of birth, and any stage names or aliases

2. Maintain Indexed Records

For every clip you produce with other performers:

• Create a record linking each performer to the specific clip they appear in
• Index records so they're searchable by performer name (including aliases) and by clip title
• Include the date of production

3. Designate a Custodian of Records

You must designate a COR — someone responsible for maintaining your records and making them available for inspection. Your options:

4. Label Your Content

Every clip must include or link to a 2257 compliance statement identifying your COR's name and address. For clip sites, this is typically:

• A note in your clip description
• A link to your website's 2257 compliance page
• A frame or watermark on the clip itself

Most clip sellers include a link to their 2257 compliance page in their store bio or clip descriptions.

The Unique Challenge for Clip Sellers

Clip sellers face a particular challenge: volume and variety. Unlike a studio shooting a single production, clip sellers may produce dozens of clips per month with different collaborators. Each one requires its own records.

Without a system, this quickly becomes unmanageable:

• IDs get lost or mixed up
• Cross-referencing breaks down when you have 50+ clips
• New collaborators require new verifications every time

This is exactly why digital compliance platforms exist. With Easy2257, you:

1. Create a "production" for your clip store
2. Add scenes (clips) as you produce them
3. Invite each collaborator via a secure link — they verify their own ID and sign documents on their phone
4. Records are automatically indexed and stored securely

Cost Reality for Clip Sellers

Most clip sellers operate on tight margins. Here's the math:

• Average clip revenue: $10–50 per sale
• Monthly clip sales: Varies widely, but many sellers earn $500–5,000/mo
• Easy2257 cost: $39.95/scene, or $143.95/mo (Producer plan, 4 scenes included)
• Risk of non-compliance: Up to 5 years federal imprisonment

At $39.95/scene, compliance costs less than the revenue from 2-10 clip sales. Compare that to the cost of a records office ($2-5K/mo) or the catastrophic cost of non-compliance.

Getting Started

If you sell clips with collaborative content and don't have 2257 records in place:

1. Don't panic — but do act now
2. Sign up for [Easy2257](/auth/register) (buy a single scene for $39.95 to get started)
3. Create records for upcoming shoots first — get your process right going forward
4. Retroactively collect records for existing collaborators where possible
5. Add a 2257 compliance statement to your clip store profile and/or website

The most important thing is to have a system in place. The second most important thing is to use it consistently for every collaboration.

Get started with Easy2257 — your first scene is free.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for guidance specific to your situation.