2257 Compliance
 

My website has been going for about 2 years now. The majority of my income comes from either the affiliates I have on my website or advertising that I sell in my monthly online magazine.

I just tried to get an account with an online payment processor and they want me to have a 2257 compliance statement up to get approved through them.

I've been reading through the rules, reading a bit about it, but it is hard to understand how it would apply to me. The ruling mentions "secondary producers" but really that statement is a bit of an oxymoron.

I am an affiliate. Not a producer.

And, furthermore, obviously they want an address listed on the website which would obviously give away the privacy I have enjoyed. Of course, I realize the further we get here, the more that goes away, but I was hoping to squeeze by a bit longer.

Any thoughts on this?

yea the secondary producer thing is a pain to be for sure..as most of us don't produce our own content...but basicly that's what webmasters generally fall into..as the law is currently standing(subject to change any day and any time it seems)

but i'm no lawyer, for that i highly suggest you check out xxxlaw.net for the full 2257 thing and info on it that's up to date...always stay legal is the best advice anyone can give you...

Of course check with the lawyers first.

The bottom line is that you are responsible for any "adult" content that you put up, and you must have proper documentation for it.

If you are based in the US you really need the 2257 compliance statement, it is not really a big problem, most content providers (including sponsors who have free content) give you the required stuff, all you need is an address. And if you are looking for a payment processor in the US it is unlikely that you will get one unless you are 100% 2257 compliant, because the law was set up to stop child pornography, and although the law is not fit for purpose, if you don't have that in place the Processor will be worried that you may be selling kiddie porn, even if your site obviously is not that way inclined (eg, if you have a MILF site). Remember, they are liable if you use them as a processor for KP, and it is a long sentence, and a nasty rep they will be looking at so they will take no risk, however honest you seem.

If you live outside the US then the 2257 Compliance rules do not apply. You should be able to get a non-US payment processor to deal with you even if you are not 2257 compliant (I'm not and I had no problems). And in some countries you will find you are actually breaking local laws if you are 2257 compliant, so any processor from these countries would be ideal. Most non-US payment processors can handle payments from US customers as easily as US payment processors (but one or two can't so check first).

However if you are based in the US and want to use a non-US payment processor, you may find that they still insist you obey US rules, even though technically they don't have to. This is because if they piss off Uncle Sam they could become one of those who can no longer handle US buyers!

If your an affiliate why do you need a payment processor?