Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkScribe
There is in some jurisdictions, a legal definition. Where I live erotica is simply an adult (hopefully) choice regarding something that might be sexually stimulating when it comes to art or literature, whereas pornography is defined and controlled under criminal law. There have been a number of relatively high profile court cases related to deciding whether something is pornographic or simply erotic. Lady Chatterly's lover was once porn, banned as such, now it is erotica. Most of the Maquis de Sade's work is still porn. In video, porn has an XXXX rating, erotica, just a PG or Adult rating. They are not the same.
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As you indicated with the Lady Chatterly example, and the many cases set to answer the question, the definition is clearly a moving target, and dependent on the attitudes of the day. That essentially means whatever is in the lawbooks, the
real legal definition is: "We'll decide what it is when you ask us."
When used to restrict content to minors, I suppose that's as workable a system as any. Not sure how much good it does to adults, but that's because I believe all adults can and should decide for themselves what is acceptable.