ashcroft attorney general et al free speech coalition et argued october decided april child pornography prevention act cppa expands federal prohibition child pornography include pornographic images made using actual children also visual depiction including photograph film video picture computer image picture appears minor engaging sexually explicit conduct sexually explicit image advertised promoted presented described distributed manner conveys impression depicts minor engaging sexually explicit conduct thus bans range sexually explicit images sometimes called virtual child pornography appear depict minors produced means using real children use adults technology section aimed preventing production distribution pornographic material pandered child pornography fearing cppa threatened activities respondents trade association others filed suit alleging appears conveys impression provisions overbroad vague chilling production works protected first amendment district disagreed granted government summary judgment ninth circuit reversed generally pornography banned obscene miller california pornography depicting actual children proscribed whether images obscene state interest protecting children exploited production process new york ferber prosecuting promote sexual exploitation ninth circuit held cppa invalid face finding substantially overbroad bans materials neither obscene miller produced exploitation real children ferber held prohibitions overbroad unconstitutional pp section covers materials beyond categories recognized ferber miller reasons government offers support limiting freedom speech justification precedents first amendment law pp cppa inconsistent miller extends images obscene miller standard requires government prove work question taken whole appeals prurient interest patently offensive light community standards lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value miller redeeming value judged considering work whole scene part narrative work reason become obscene even though scene isolation might offensive see kois wisconsin per curiam cppa read prohibit obscenity lacks required link prohibitions affront community standards prohibited obscenity definition pp cppa finds support ferber rejects government argument speech prohibited cppa virtually indistinguishable material may banned ferber case upheld prohibition distribution sale child pornography well production acts intrinsically related sexual abuse children two ways first permanent record child abuse continued circulation harm child participated see second traffic child pornography economic motive production state interest closing distribution network either rationale speech effect held proximate link crime came contrast speech ferber speech record sexual abuse cppa prohibits speech records crime creates victims production virtual child pornography intrinsically related sexual abuse children government asserts images lead actual instances child abuse causal link contingent indirect harm necessarily follow speech depends upon unquantified potential subsequent criminal acts government argument indirect harms sufficient ferber acknowledged child pornography rarely valuable speech see suffers two flaws first ferber judgment child pornography based upon made communicated case reaffirmed speech neither obscene product sexual abuse fall outside first amendment protection see second ferber hold child pornography definition without value recognized works category might significant value see relied virtual images images prohibited cppa alternative permissible means expression ferber relied distinction actual virtual child pornography supporting holding provides support statute eliminates distinction makes alternative mode criminal well pp rejects arguments offered government justify cppa prohibitions contention cppa necessary pedophiles may use virtual child pornography seduce children runs afoul principle speech within rights adults hear may silenced completely attempt shield children see sable communications fcc evil question depends upon actor unlawful conduct defined criminal quite apart link speech question establishes speech ban narrowly drawn argument virtual child pornography whets pedophiles appetites encourages engage illegal conduct unavailing mere tendency speech encourage unlawful acts sufficient reason banning stanley georgia absent showing direct connection speech imminent illegal conduct see brandenburg ohio per curiam argument eliminating market pornography produced using real children necessitates prohibition virtual images well somewhat implausible pornographers risk prosecution abusing real children fictional computerized images suffice moreover even market deterrence theory persuasive argument justify cppa underlying crime finally first amendment turned upside argument difficult distinguish images made using real children produced computer imaging kinds images must prohibited overbreadth doctrine prohibits government banning unprotected speech substantial amount protected speech prohibited chilled process see broadrick oklahoma government rejoinder cppa read prohibition speech measure shifting burden accused prove speech lawful raises serious constitutional difficulties government misplaces reliance creates affirmative defense allowing defendant avoid conviction nonpossession offenses showing materials produced using adults otherwise distributed manner conveying impression depicted real children even affirmative defense save statute first amendment challenge defense insufficient apply possession images created computer imaging even defendant demonstrate children harmed producing images thus defense leaves unprotected substantial amount speech tied government interest distinguishing images produced using real children virtual ones pp section also substantially overbroad disagrees government view difference provision appears provision requires jury assess material issue light manner promoted determination still depend principally upon prohibited work content conveys impression provision requires little judgment image content work must sexually explicit otherwise content irrelevant even film contains sexually explicit scenes involving minors treated child pornography title trailers convey impression scenes found movie determination turns speech presented depicted government arguments support cppa bear materials instance likely confused child pornography criminal trial pandering may relevant evidentiary matter question whether particular materials obscene see ginzburg defendant engages commercial exploitation erotica solely sake prurient appeal context created may relevant evaluating whether materials obscene section however prohibits substantial amount speech falls outside ginzburg rationale proscribed material tainted unlawful hands receive though bear responsibility marketed sold described statute furthermore require context part effort commercial exploitation thus cppa prohibit pandering bans possession material pandered child pornography someone earlier distribution chain well sexually explicit film contains youthful actors packaged suggest prohibited movie possession crime even possessor knows movie mislabeled first amendment requires precise restriction pp light foregoing respondents contention void vagueness need addressed affirmed kennedy delivered opinion stevens souter ginsburg breyer joined thomas filed opinion concurring judgment filed opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part rehnquist scalia joined part ii rehnquist filed dissenting opinion scalia joined except paragraph discussing legislative history john ashcroft attorney general et petitioners free speech coalition et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit april justice kennedy delivered opinion consider case whether child pornography prevention act cppa et abridges freedom speech cppa extends federal prohibition child pornography sexually explicit images appear depict minors produced without using real children statute prohibits specific circumstances possessing distributing images may created using adults look like minors using computer imaging new technology according congress makes possible create realistic images children exist see congressional findings notes following prohibiting child pornography depict actual child statute goes beyond new york ferber distinguished child pornography sexually explicit speech state interest protecting children exploited production process see general rule pornography banned obscene ferber pornography showing minors proscribed whether images obscene definition set forth miller california ferber recognized miller standard like general definitions may banned obscene reflect state particular compelling interest prosecuting promote sexual exploitation children occasion consider question may assume apparent age persons engaged sexual conduct relevant whether depiction offends community standards pictures young children engaged certain acts might obscene similar depictions adults perhaps even older adolescents cppa however directed speech obscene congress proscribed materials separate statute like law ferber cppa seeks reach beyond obscenity makes attempt conform miller standard instance statute reach visual depictions movies even redeeming social value principal question resolved whether cppa constitutional proscribes significant universe speech neither obscene miller child pornography ferber congress defined child pornography type depictions issue ferber images made using actual minors cppa retains prohibition adds three prohibited categories speech first third issue case section prohibits visual depiction including photograph film video picture computer image picture appears minor engaging sexually explicit conduct prohibition visual depiction depend image produced section captures range depictions sometimes called virtual child pornography include images well images produced traditional means instance literal terms statute embrace renaissance painting depicting scene classical mythology picture appears minor engaging sexually explicit conduct statute also prohibits hollywood movies filmed without child actors jury believes actor appears minor engaging actual simulated sexual intercourse images involve let alone harm children production process congress decided materials threaten children less direct ways pedophiles might use materials encourage children participate sexual activity child reluctant engage sexual activity adult pose sexually explicit photographs sometimes convinced viewing depictions children fun participating activity congressional findings note following furthermore pedophiles might whet sexual appetites pornographic images thereby increasing creation distribution child pornography sexual abuse exploitation actual children notes rationales harm flows content images means production addition congress identified another problem created images existence make harder prosecute pornographers use real minors see note imaging technology improves congress found becomes difficult prove particular picture produced using actual children ensure defendants possessing child pornography using real minors evade prosecution congress extended ban virtual child pornography section prohibits common lower tech means creating virtual images known computer morphing rather creating original images pornographers alter innocent pictures real children children appear engaged sexual activity although morphed images may fall within definition virtual child pornography implicate interests real children sense closer images ferber respondents challenge provision consider respondents challenge like text appears provision sweep provision quite broad section defines child pornography include sexually explicit image advertised promoted presented described distributed manner conveys impression depicts minor engaging sexually explicit conduct one committee report identified provision directed sexually explicit images pandered child pornography see provision prevents child pornographers pedophiles exploiting prurient interests child sexuality sexual activity production distribution pornographic material intentionally pandered child pornography statute limited reach however punishes even possessors took part pandering work described child pornography taint remains speech hands subsequent possessors making possession unlawful even though content otherwise objectionable fearing cppa threatened activities members respondent free speech coalition others challenged statute district northern district california coalition california trade association industry alleged members use minors sexually explicit works believed materials might fall within cppa expanded definition child pornography respondents bold type publisher book advocating nudist lifestyle jim gingerich painter nudes ron raffaelli photographer specializing erotic images respondents alleged appears conveys impression provisions overbroad vague chilling producing works protected first amendment district disagreed granted summary judgment government dismissed overbreadth claim highly unlikely adaptations sexual works like romeo juliet treated criminal contraband app pet cert appeals ninth circuit reversed see reasoned government prohibit speech tendency persuade viewers commit illegal acts held cppa substantially overbroad bans materials neither obscene produced exploitation real children new york ferber judge ferguson dissented ground virtual images like obscenity real child pornography treated category speech unprotected first amendment appeals voted deny petition rehearing en banc dissent three judges see ninth circuit found cppa invalid face four courts appeals sustained see fox mento acheson hilton cert denied granted certiorari ii first amendment commands congress shall make law abridging freedom speech government may violate mandate many ways rosenberger rector visitors univ keller state bar law imposing criminal penalties protected speech stark example speech suppression cppa penalties indeed severe first offender may imprisoned years repeat offender faces prison sentence less years years prison ibid even minor punishments chill protected speech see wooley maynard case provides textbook example permit facial challenges statutes burden expression severe penalties force legitimate movie producers book publishers speakers capacity risk distributing images near uncertain reach law constitution gives significant protection overbroad laws chill speech within first amendment vast privileged sphere principle cppa unconstitutional face prohibits substantial amount protected expression see broadrick oklahoma sexual abuse child serious crime act repugnant moral instincts decent people legislative findings congress recognized subcultures persons harbor illicit desires children commit criminal acts gratify impulses see congressional findings notes following see also dept health human services administration children youth families child maltreatment estimating children victims sexual abuse congress also found surrounding serious offenders flirt impulses trade pictures written accounts sexual activity young children congress may pass valid laws protect children abuse prospect crime however justify laws suppressing protected speech see kingsley pictures regents univ among free men deterrents ordinarily applied prevent crime education punishment violations law abridgment rights free speech internal quotation marks citation omitted also well established speech may prohibited concerns subjects offending sensibilities see fcc pacifica foundation fact society may find speech offensive sufficient reason suppressing see also reno american civil liberties union evaluating free speech rights adults made perfectly clear exual expression indecent obscene protected first quoting sable communications fcc carey population services fact protected speech may offensive justify suppression general principle first amendment bars government dictating see read speak hear freedom speech limits embrace certain categories speech including defamation incitement obscenity pornography produced real children see simon schuster members state crime victims kennedy concurring categories may prohibited without violating first amendment none includes speech prohibited cppa dissent opinion appeals judge ferguson recognized law proposed virtual child pornography regarded additional category unprotected speech see necessary us take step uphold statute noted cppa much supplement existing federal prohibition obscenity miller california government must prove work taken whole appeals prurient interest patently offensive light community standards lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value cppa however extends images appear depict minor engaging sexually explicit activity without regard miller requirements materials need appeal prurient interest depiction sexually explicit activity matter presented proscribed cppa applies picture psychology manual well movie depicting horrors sexual abuse necessary moreover image patently offensive pictures appear engaging sexually explicit activity every case contravene community standards cppa prohibits speech despite serious literary artistic political scientific value statute proscribes visual depiction idea teenagers engaging sexual activity fact modern society theme art literature throughout ages cppa images prohibited long persons appear years age higher legal age marriage many well age persons may consent sexual relations see age consent federal maritime territorial jurisdiction national survey state laws leiter ed permit marry parental consent eskridge hunter sexuality gender law district columbia age consent younger course undeniable youths engage sexual activity legal age either inclination victims sexual abuse themes teenage sexual activity sexual abuse children inspired countless literary works william shakespeare created famous pair teenage lovers one years age see romeo juliet act sc hath seen change fourteen years drama shakespeare portrays relationship something splendid innocent juvenile work inspired less motion pictures suggest teenagers consummated relationship romeo juliet luhrmann director shakespeare may written sexually explicit scenes elizabethean audience modern directors adopt less conventional approach fact alone compel conclusion work obscene contemporary movies pursue similar themes last year academy awards featured movie traffic nominated best picture see predictable less academy award contenders times film portrays teenager identified becomes addicted drugs viewer sees degradation addiction end leads filthy room trade sex drugs year american beauty academy award best picture see american beauty tops oscars times mar course movie teenage girl engages sexual relations teenage boyfriend another yields gratification man film also contains scene although movie audience understands act taking place one character believes watching teenage boy performing sexual act older man society like cultures empathy enduring fascination lives destinies young art literature express vital interest formative years knew wounds grievous disappointment profound mistaken choices tragic moral acts still reach whether films mention violate cppa explore themes within wide sweep statute prohibitions films hundreds others lesser note explore subjects contain single graphic depiction sexual activity within statutory definition possessor film subject severe punishment without inquiry work redeeming value inconsistent essential first amendment rule artistic merit work depend presence single explicit scene see book named john cleland memoirs woman pleasure attorney general plurality opinion social value book neither weighed canceled prurient appeal patent offensiveness miller first amendment requires redeeming value judged considering work whole scene part narrative work reason become obscene even though scene isolation might offensive see kois wisconsin per curiam reason others noted cppa read prohibit obscenity lacks required link prohibitions affront community standards prohibited definition obscenity government seeks address deficiency arguing speech prohibited cppa virtually indistinguishable child pornography may banned without regard whether depicts works value see new york ferber images product child sexual abuse ferber recognized state interest stamping without regard judgment content see also concurring drafted new york statute attempt suppress communication particular ideas production work content target statute fact work contained serious literary artistic value excuse harm caused child participants simply unrealistic equate community toleration sexually oriented materials permissible scope legislation aimed protecting children sexual exploitation ferber upheld prohibition distribution sale child pornography well production acts intrinsically related sexual abuse children two ways first permanent record child abuse continued circulation harm child participated like defamatory statement new publication speech cause new injury child reputation emotional see second traffic child pornography economic motive production state interest closing distribution network expeditious practical method law enforcement may dry market material imposing severe criminal penalties persons selling advertising otherwise promoting product either rationale speech effect held proximate link crime came later osborne ohio ruled interests justified ban possession pornography produced using children given importance state interest protecting victims child pornography state justified attempting stamp vice levels distribution chain osborne also noted state interest preventing child pornography used aid solicitation minors however anchored holding concern participants called victims child pornography suggest absent concern governmental interests suffice see infra contrast speech ferber speech record sexual abuse cppa prohibits speech records crime creates victims production virtual child pornography intrinsically related sexual abuse children materials ferber government asserts images lead actual instances child abuse see infra causal link contingent indirect harm necessarily follow speech depends upon unquantified potential subsequent criminal acts government says indirect harms sufficient ferber acknowledged child pornography rarely valuable speech see value permitting live performances photographic reproductions children engaged lewd sexual conduct exceedingly modest de minimis argument however suffers two flaws first ferber judgment child pornography based upon made communicated case reaffirmed speech neither obscene product sexual abuse fall outside protection first amendment see distribution descriptions depictions sexual conduct otherwise obscene involve live performance photographic visual reproduction live performances retains first amendment protection second flaw government position ferber hold child pornography definition without value contrary recognized works category might significant value see relied virtual images images prohibited cppa alternative permissible means expression necessary literary artistic value person statutory age perhaps looked younger utilized simulation outside prohibition statute provide another alternative ferber referred distinction actual virtual child pornography relied reason supporting holding ferber provides support statute eliminates distinction makes alternative mode criminal well iii cppa reasons explored inconsistent miller finds support ferber government seeks justify prohibitions ways argues cppa necessary pedophiles may use virtual child pornography seduce children many things innocent however cartoons video games candy might used immoral purposes yet expect prohibited misused government course may punish adults provide unsuitable materials children see ginsberg new york may enforce criminal penalties unlawful solicitation precedents establish however speech within rights adults hear may silenced completely attempt shield children see sable communications fcc butler michigan invalidated statute prohibiting distribution indecent publication tendency incite minors violent depraved immoral acts unanimous agreed upon important first amendment principle state reduce adult population reading fit children reaffirmed holding see playboy entertainment group objective shielding children suffice support blanket ban protection accomplished less restrictive alternative reno american civil liberties union governmental interest protecting children harmful materials justify unnecessarily broad suppression speech addressed adults sable communications fcc supra striking ban messages invalid effect limiting content adult telephone conversations suitable children hear government wants keep speech children protect content protect commit crimes principle however remains government ban speech fit adults simply may fall hands children evil question depends upon actor unlawful conduct conduct defined criminal quite apart link speech question establishes speech ban narrowly drawn objective prohibit illegal conduct restriction goes well beyond interest restricting speech available adults government submits virtual child pornography whets appetites pedophiles encourages engage illegal conduct rationale sustain provision question mere tendency speech encourage unlawful acts sufficient reason banning government constitutionally premise legislation desirability controlling person private thoughts stanley georgia first amendment freedoms danger government seeks control thought justify laws impermissible end right think beginning freedom speech must protected government speech beginning thought preserve freedoms protect speech sake first amendment cases draw vital distinctions words deeds ideas conduct see kingsley pictures normal method deterring unlawful conduct impose appropriate punishment person engages government may prohibit speech increases chance unlawful act committed indefinite future time hess indiana per curiam government may suppress speech advocating use force violation law advocacy directed inciting producing imminent lawless action likely incite produce action brandenburg ohio per curiam attempt incitement solicitation conspiracy government shown remote connection speech might encourage thoughts impulses resulting child abuse without significantly stronger direct connection government may prohibit speech ground may encourage pedophiles engage illegal conduct government next argues objective eliminating market pornography produced using real children necessitates prohibition virtual images well virtual images government contends indistinguishable real ones part market often exchanged way said virtual images promote trafficking works produced exploitation real children hypothesis somewhat implausible virtual images identical illegal child pornography illegal images driven market indistinguishable substitutes pornographers risk prosecution abusing real children fictional computerized images suffice case material covered ferber creation speech crime child abuse prohibition deters crime removing profit motive see osborne even underlying crime however allowed suppression speech cases bartnicki supra market deterrence justify law prohibiting radio commentator distributing speech unlawfully intercepted need consider strike balance case underlying crime even government market deterrence theory persuasive contexts justify statute finally government says possibility producing images using computer imaging makes difficult prosecute produce pornography using real children experts told may difficulty saying whether pictures made using real children using computer imaging necessary solution argument runs prohibit kinds images argument essence protected speech may banned means ban unprotected speech analysis turns first amendment upside government may suppress lawful speech means suppress unlawful speech protected speech become unprotected merely resembles latter constitution requires reverse possible harm society permitting unprotected speech go unpunished outweighed possibility protected speech others may muted broadrick oklahoma overbreadth doctrine prohibits government banning unprotected speech substantial amount protected speech prohibited chilled process avoid force objection government us read cppa measure suppressing speech law shifting burden accused prove speech lawful connection government relies affirmative defense statute allows defendant avoid conviction nonpossession offenses showing materials produced using adults otherwise distributed manner conveying impression depicted real children see government raises serious constitutional difficulties seeking impose defendant burden proving speech unlawful affirmative defense applies prosecution begun speaker must prove pain felony conviction conduct falls within affirmative defense cases cppa evidentiary burden trivial defendant producer work may way establishing identity even existence actors evidentiary issue serious problem government asserts least difficult innocent possessor statute moreover applies work created producers may preserved records necessary meet burden proof failure establish defense lead felony conviction need decide however whether government impose burden speaker even affirmative defense save statute first amendment challenge defense incomplete insufficient even terms allows persons convicted instances prove children exploited production defendant charged possessing opposed distributing proscribed works may defend ground film depicts adult actors see ibid affirmative defense may protect movie producer prosecution act distribution producer persons subsequent distribution chain liable possessing prohibited work furthermore affirmative defense provides protection persons produce speech using computer imaging means involve use adult actors appear minors see ibid cases defendant demonstrate children harmed producing images yet affirmative defense bar prosecution reason affirmative defense save statute leaves unprotected substantial amount speech tied government interest distinguishing images produced using real children virtual ones sum covers materials beyond categories recognized ferber miller reasons government offers support limiting freedom speech justification precedents law first amendment provision abridges freedom engage substantial amount ful speech reason overbroad unconstitutional iv respondents challenge well provision bans depictions sexually explicit conduct advertised promoted presented described distributed manner conveys impression material contains visual depiction minor engaging sexually explicit conduct parties treat section nearly identical provision prohibiting materials appear child pornography government view difference two conveys impression provision requires jury assess material issue light manner promoted brief petitioners government assumption however determination still depend principally upon content prohibited work disagree view cppa prohibits sexually explicit materials conve impression depict minors phrase may sound like appears prohibition requires little judgment content image work must sexually explicit otherwise content irrelevant even film contains sexually explicit scenes involving minors treated child pornography title trailers convey impression scenes found movie determination turns speech presented depicted legislative findings address length problems posed materials look like child pornography silent evils posed images simply pandered way government offer serious defense provision arguments makes support cppa bear materials instance likely confused child pornography criminal trial recognized pandering may relevant evidentiary matter question whether particular materials obscene see ginzburg close cases evidence pandering may probative respect nature material question thus satisfy obscenity test defendant engages commercial exploitation erotica solely sake prurient appeal context creates may relevant evaluation materials section however prohibits substantial amount speech falls outside ginzburg rationale materials falling within proscription tainted unlawful hands receive though bear responsibility marketed sold described statute furthermore require context part effort commercial exploitation ibid consequence cppa prohibit pandering prohibits possession material described pandered child pornography someone earlier distribution chain provision prohibits sexually explicit film containing youthful actors placed box suggesting prohibited movie possession crime even possessor knows movie mislabeled first amendment requires precise restriction reason substantially overbroad violation first amendment reasons set forth prohibitions overbroad unconstitutional reached conclusion need address respondents contention provisions unconstitutional vague statutory language judgment appeals affirmed ordered john ashcroft attorney general et petitioners free speech coalition et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit april justice thomas concurring judgment view government persuasive asserted interest support child pornography prevention act cppa et prosecution rationale persons possess disseminate pornographic images real children may escape conviction claiming images thereby raising reasonable doubt guilt see brief petitioners time however government asserts defendants raise defenses done successfully fact government points case defendant acquitted based images defense see speculative interest support broad reach cppa technology may evolve point becomes impossible enforce actual child pornography laws government prove certain pornographic images real children event occurs government foreclosed enacting regulation virtual child pornography contains appropriate affirmative defense narrowly drawn restriction suggests government interest enforcing prohibitions real child pornography justify prohibitions virtual child pornography analysis turns first amendment upside government may suppress lawful speech means suppress unlawful speech ante technological advances thwart prosecution unlawful speech government may well compelling interest barring otherwise regulating narrow category lawful speech order enforce effectively laws pornography made abuse real children leave open possibility complete affirmative defense save statute constitutionality see ante implicitly accepting regulation virtual child pornography might constitutional prejudge however whether complete affirmative defense way narrowly tailor criminal statute prohibits possession dissemination virtual child pornography thus concur judgment john ashcroft attorney general et petitioners free speech coalition et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit april chief justice rehnquist justice scalia joins part dissenting agree part ii justice opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part congress compelling interest ensuring ability enforce prohibitions actual child pornography defer findings rapidly advancing technology soon make impossible turner broadcasting system fcc accord substantial deference predictive judgment congress first amendment cases also agree justice serious first amendment concerns arise government ever prosecute someone simple distribution possession film literary artistic value traffic american beauty ante opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part write separately however child pornography prevention act cppa et need construed reach materials normally strike statute first amendment grounds limiting instruction placed challenged statute broadrick oklahoma see new york ferber appreciating effects striking statute face parker levy repeatedly expressed reluctance strike statute face substantial number situations might validly applied case treated differently computer generated images virtually indistinguishable real children engaged sexually explicitly conduct cppa limited reach material already unprotected cppa cppa definition sexually explicit conduct quite explicit regard makes clear statute reaches visual depictions ctual simulated sexual intercourse including whether persons opposite sex bestiality masturbation sadistic masochistic abuse lascivious exhibition genitals pubic area person justice suggest graphic definition reaches depiction youthful looking adult actors engaged suggestive sexual activity presumably definition extends simulated intercourse ante majority opinion ante opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part read whole however think definition reaches sort hard core child pornography found without protection ferber supra construed cppa bans visual depictions youthful looking adult actors engaged actual sexual activity mere suggestions sexual activity youthful looking adult actors squirming blanket akin written descriptions visual depictions thus fall outside purview reference simulated part definition sexually explicit conduct since statute first passed see protection children sexual exploitation act pub stat inclusion simulated conduct alongside actual conduct change hard core nature image banned reference simulated conduct simply brings within statute reach depictions hard core pornography made look genuine webster ninth new collegiate dictionary including main target cppa computer generated images virtually indistinguishable real children engaged sexually explicit conduct neither actual conduct simulated conduct however properly construed reach depictions film portrayal romeo juliet ante majority opinion ante concurring judgment part dissenting part far removed hard core pornographic depictions congress intended reach indeed loath construe statute banning film portrayals shakespearian tragedies without indication text legislative history result intended fact congress explicitly instructed reading cppa wholly unwarranted appeals first circuit observed legislative record makes plain cppa intended target narrow class images visual depictions virtually indistinguishable unsuspecting viewers unretouched photographs actual children engaging identical sexual conduct hilton quoting pt judge ferguson similarly observed dissent appeals case reading legislative history becomes clear cppa merely extends existing prohibitions real child pornography narrow class pictures easily mistaken real photographs real children free speech coalition reno see also supra pt iv cppa intended apply depiction produced using adults engaging sexually explicit conduct even depicted individual may appear minor emphasis original pt cppa addresses problem high tech kiddie looked legislative history limit scope child pornography statutes past video narrow reading sexually explicit conduct accords text cppa intentions congress exactly phrase understood prior broadening gloss gives today indeed sexually explicit conduct thought reach sort material says films traffic american beauty made way ante discussing films portrayals youthful looking adult actors engaged sexually suggestive conduct traffic academy award american beauty academy award cppa books enforced since chill felt ante ew legitimate movie producers risk distributing images near uncertain reach law apparently never felt actually make movies extent cppa prohibits possession distribution materials convey impression child engaged sexually explicit conduct prohibition limited reach sordid business pandering lies outside bounds first amendment protection ginzburg conduct deliberately emphasized sexually provocative aspects work order catch salaciously disposed may lose first amendment protection playboy entertainment group scalia dissenting collecting cases government asks us construe statute brief tr oral arg plausible reading text prohibits materials advertised promoted presented described distributed manner conveys impression material contains visual depiction minor engaging sexually explicit conduct emphasis added first amendment may protect video shopowner film distributor promotes material entertaining acclaimed regardless whether material contains depictions youthful looking adult actors engaged nonobscene sexually suggestive conduct first amendment however protect panderer thus materials promoted conveying impression depict actual minors engaged sexually explicit conduct escape regulation merely might warrant first amendment protection promoted different manner see ginzburg supra cf jacobellis ohio warren dissenting opinion use various materials put words pictures must considered determining whether materials obscene construe conveys impression limited panderer makes statute entirely consistent ginzburg cases says conveys impression goes well beyond ginzburg prohibi possession material described pandered child pornography someone earlier distribution chain ante concern individual merely possesses protected materials videocassettes traffic american beauty might offend cppa regardless whether individual actually intended possess materials containing unprotected images ante see also ante individuals businesses found possess three films defense criminal liability cppa concurring judgment part dissenting part concern legitimate one need reason construe statute way video supra faced provision protection children sexual exploitation act precursor cppa lent much less present statute attributing knowingly requirement contents possessed visual depictions held requirement nonetheless applied government prove person charged possessing child pornography actually knew materials contained depictions real minors engaged sexually explicit conduct light holding consistent narrow class images cppa intended prohibit cppa construed prohibit knowing possession materials actually containing visual depictions real minors engaged sexually explicit conduct computer generated images virtually indistinguishable real minors engaged sexually explicit conduct mere possession materials containing suggestive depictions youthful looking adult actors need included sum potentially impermissible applications cppa may exist doubt substantial relation statute plainly legitimate sweep broadrick aim ensuring enforceability nation child pornography laws compelling one cppa targeted aim extending definition child pornography reach images virtually indistinguishable real children engaged sexually explicit conduct statute need read precisely offensive first amendment reasons construe cppa manner consistent first amendment reverse appeals judgment uphold statute entirety john ashcroft attorney general et petitioners free speech coalition et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit april justice chief justice justice scalia join part ii concurring judgment part dissenting part child pornography prevention act cppa et proscribes knowin reproduction distribution sale reception possession images fall statute definition child pornography possession punishable years prison first offense transgressions punishable years prison first offense cppa defines child pornography include visual depiction sexually explicit conduct visual depiction appears minor engaging sexually explicit conduct emphasis added visual depiction advertised promoted presented described distributed manner conveys impression material contains visual depiction minor engaging sexually explicit conduct emphasis added statute defines sexually explicit conduct actual sexual intercourse bestiality masturbation sadistic masochistic abuse lascivious exhibition genitals pubic area person cppa provides two affirmative defenses first defendant liable possession defendant possesses less three proscribed images promptly destroys images reports matter law enforcement second defendant liable remaining acts proscribed images involved produced using adult subjects presented manner convey impression contain depictions minors engaging sexually explicit conduct litigation involves facial challenge cppa prohibitions pornographic images appea minor material conveys impression contains pornographic images minors agree judgment first amendment requires latter prohibition struck disagree decision strike former prohibition entirety appears minor language covers two categories speech pornographic images adults look like children pornography pornographic images children created wholly computer without using actual children pornography concludes correctly cppa ban pornography overbroad view however respondents fail present sufficient evidence demonstrate ban pornography overbroad invalidation due overbreadth strong medicine broadrick oklahoma strike prohibition pornography appears minors insofar applied class pornography respondents assert cppa prohibitions pornography pornography material conveys impression contains pornography overbroad prohibitions regulations narrowly tailored serve compelling government interest prohibitions unconstitutionally vague government disagrees specific contentions also requests exclude pornography protection first amendment agree decision grant request government may already prohibit obscenity without violating first amendment see miller california government asks rule may also prohibit pornography merely indecent without violating amendment although pornography looks like material issue new york ferber children harmed process creating pornography therefore ferber support government ban pornography see ante government argues even production pornography directly harm children material aids abets child abuse see ante correctly concludes causal connection pornographic images appear include minors actual child abuse strong enough justify withdrawing first amendment protection speech see ante also agree decision strike cppa ban material presented manner conveys impression contains pornographic depictions actual children pornography government fails explain ban serves compelling state interest speech covered obscene pornography otherwise indecent prohibited federal statutes see obscenity pornography pornography concludes overbroad reasoning also persuades provision narrowly tailored see ante provision therefore fails strict scrutiny playboy entertainment group finally agree cppa ban pornography overbroad provides several examples movies although possessing serious literary artistic political value employing adult actors perform simulated sexual conduct fall cppa proscription images appea minor engaging sexually explicit conduct see ante citing romeo juliet traffic american beauty individuals businesses found possess three films defense criminal liability cppa ii disagree however cppa prohibition pornography overbroad reach issue two preliminary questions whether ban pornography fails strict scrutiny whether ban unconstitutionally vague answer negative long recognized government compelling interest protecting nation children see ferber supra citing cases interest promoted efforts directed sexual offenders pornography efforts turn supported cppa ban pornography images whet appetites child molesters stat congressional findings notes following may use images seduce young children finding even serious concern prospect defendants indicted production distribution possession pornography may evade liability claiming images attributed fact finding respondents may correct defendant successfully employed tactic see fox vig kimbrough coleman crim app given rapid pace advances technology government concern reasonable images lodged amici curiae national law center children families et al bear remarkable likeness actual human beings anyone seen example film final fantasy spirits within sakaguchi sakakibara directors understand government concern moreover cases require congress wait harm occur legislate see turner broadcasting system fcc respondents argue even government compelling interest justify banning pornography appears minor language narrowly tailored serve interest see sable communications fcc assert cppa capture even statues children sexually suggestive images surely used instance seduce children agree better interpretation appears virtually indistinguishable interpretation cover examples respondents provide text statute comfortably bear narrowing interpretation interpretation comports language congress repeatedly used findings fact see congressional finding following discussing visual depictions produced wholly part electronic mechanical means including computer virtually indistinguishable unsuspecting viewer photographic images actual children may whet appetites child molesters see also finding finally extent phrase appears ambiguous narrowing interpretation avoids constitutional problems overbreadth lack narrow tailoring see crowell benson reading statute bar images virtually indistinguishable actual children assure ban pornography narrowly tailored also assuage fears appears minor language vague narrow reading greatly limits risks discriminatory enforcement reno american civil liberties union respondents maintain virtually indistinguishable language also vague begs question whose perspective problem exaggerated never required mathematical certainty meticulous specificity language statute grayned city rockford concludes cppa ban pornography overbroad basis holding unclear although regulation may serve compelling state interest narrowly tailored possible substantially serving interest regulation may unintentionally ensnare speech serious literary artistic political scientific value threaten harms sought combated government litigants may challenge regulation face overbroad bear heavy burden demonstrating regulation forbids substantial amount valuable harmless speech see reno supra concurring judgment part dissenting part citing broadrick respondents made demonstration respondents provide examples films materials wholly contain images appea minors engaging indecent conduct serious value facilitate child abuse overbreadth challenge therefore fails iii although view cppa ban pornography appears violate first amendment ban pornography true bans authorized text statute definition child pornography include depictions appea children sexually explicit poses invalidating statute due overbreadth however extreme remedy one employed sparingly last resort broadrick supra observed usual judicial practice consider generally desirable proceed overbreadth issue unnecessarily board trustees state univ fox heeding caution strike appears provision insofar applied subset cases involving pornography approach similar taken grace considered constitutionality federal statute makes unlawful parade stand move processions assemblages building grounds display therein flag banner device designed adapted bring public notice party organization movement term grounds technically includes sidewalks surrounding sidewalks traditionally considered public forum held statute unconstitutional applied sidewalks although distinguish pornography cppa elsewhere draws line two classes speech statute provides affirmative defense produce distribute receive pornographic images individuals actually adults pornographic images wholly computer generated surprising given legislative findings enacted congress contain mention pornography findings focus explicitly pornography pornography see finding following danger children seduced molested aid child sex pictures great child pornographer child molester uses visual depictions child sexual activity produced wholly part electronic mechanical means including computer material consists unretouched photographic images actual children engaging sexually explicit conduct drawing line around striking cppa ban pornography consistent congress understanding categories speech encompassed also preserves cppa prohibition material congress found dangerous children sum strike cppa ban material conveys impression contains pornography uphold ban pornographic depictions appea minors long applied pornography footnotes course even narrow class youthful looking adult images prohibited cppa subject affirmative defense long materials containing images advertised promoted child pornography justice scalia join paragraph discussing statute legislative record