Section 3-907 - Publication of information by video tape distributor. - Maryland Statutes

§ 3-907. Publication of information by video tape distributor.
 

(a)  Definitions.-  

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(2) "Protected individual" means an individual who buys, rents, or borrows a video tape, video disk, or film from a video tape distributor. 

(3) "Publish" means to distribute to a person other than the protected individual or an agent of the protected individual. 

(4) "Video tape distributor" means a retail establishment operating for profit that sells, rents, or loans video tapes, video disks, or films. 

(b)  Prohibited.- Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a video tape distributor, or an agent or employee of a video tape distributor, may not publish the following information relating to sales, rentals, or loans of video tapes, video disks, or films to a protected individual: 

(1) any numerical designation used by the video tape distributor to identify the protected individual; or 

(2) any listing of video tapes, video disks, or films bought, rented, or borrowed by the protected individual from the video tape distributor. 

(c)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months for all violations or a fine not exceeding $500 for each violation or both. 

(d)  Exceptions.- This section does not prohibit the distribution of information protected under subsection (b) of this section to: 

(1) a person designated by the video tape distributor and authorized by the protected individual before distribution to receive the information; 

(2) any appropriately authorized law enforcement personnel; or 

(3) a collection agency used or person designated by the video tape distributor to collect unreturned rental video tapes, video disks, or films, or an amount equal to their value. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 583; 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]