In Nevada, the term “disseminator” carries a specific legal weight, extending beyond its general dictionary definition. The law assigns this label to individuals or entities involved in the distribution of certain materials or information. Understanding this term is foundational to comprehending specific state laws that regulate the circulation of content deemed harmful or private.
Understanding the Term “Disseminator” in Nevada Law
Nevada law provides specific contexts for the word “disseminate,” particularly within its regulations on gaming and obscenity. For instance, in the context of gaming, Nevada Revised Statute 463.0147 defines a “disseminator” as a person who provides licensed race books or sports pools with information used to determine wagers.
In the broader context of criminal law, particularly concerning obscenity, the concept of a disseminator is tied to the act of making material available to others. While a single, overarching definition of “disseminator” is not present in the criminal code, various statutes focus on the actions of disseminating, such as selling, distributing, publishing, or exhibiting. These actions are the core of what makes someone a disseminator under the law, focusing on the conduct of spreading materials rather than just possessing them.
Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material
Nevada law regulates the dissemination of obscene material, with a legal framework established in Chapter 201 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Under NRS 201.235, material is considered “obscene” if it meets a specific three-part test: it must appeal to a prurient, or shameful, interest in sex; depict or describe sexual acts in a patently offensive way; and, when taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
The act of dissemination becomes unlawful under statutes like NRS 201.249, which prohibits producing, selling, distributing, or exhibiting such obscene items.1Justia Law. Nevada Revised Statutes § 201.249 – Production, Sale, Distribution, Exhibition and Possession of Obscene Items or Materials; Penalty The law also makes a distinction based on the recipient of the material. Disseminating obscene material to a minor under 18 is a distinct offense under NRS 201.265.2Justia Law. Nevada Revised Statutes § 201.265 – Unlawful Acts; Penalty This provision makes it illegal to knowingly sell, give, or show materials that are considered “harmful to minors,” which includes obscene content.
Unlawful Dissemination of Private Images or Information
Nevada law also addresses the act of disseminating private, intimate images without consent, a practice often called “revenge porn.” Governed by statutes within the Nevada Revised Statutes, this area of law makes it illegal to electronically disseminate an intimate image of another person with the intent to harass, harm, or terrorize them.3Justia Law. Nevada Revised Statutes § 200.780 – Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Image; Exceptions; Penalty The law applies when the person depicted had a reasonable expectation of privacy and did not consent to the image being shared publicly.
An “intimate image” includes a photograph or video showing the genitals, anus, or the fully exposed female nipple, or individuals engaged in sexual conduct. Recent legislation has expanded this definition to include photorealistic or computer-generated images altered by artificial intelligence.4LegiScan. Bill Text: NV SB213 | 2025 This same legislation also removed a previous exception for images depicting a public figure. The act of dissemination here is specific to electronic means, such as posting online or sending through digital messages.
Consequences of Unlawful Dissemination
The legal penalties for unlawful dissemination in Nevada vary significantly depending on the nature of the material and the context of the act. For the dissemination of obscene material to adults, a violation is a misdemeanor. This can result in up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Disseminating material that is “harmful to minors” is also a misdemeanor with similar penalties.
In contrast, the consequences are more severe for disseminating intimate images. The unlawful dissemination of an intimate image is a category D felony. This is punishable by a prison sentence of one to four years and a potential fine of up to $5,000.5Nevada Public Law. NRS 193.130 – Categories and Punishment of Felonies