# Protection of Children Act 1978, Section 7: Interpretation.

Extent: E+W

(1) The following subsections apply for the interpretation of this Act.
(2) References to an indecent photograph include an indecent film, a copy of an indecent photograph or film, and an indecent photograph comprised in a film.
(3) Photographs (including those comprised in a film) shall, if they show children and are indecent, be treated for all purposes of this Act as indecent photographs of children and so as respects pseudo-photographs.
( 4 ) References to a photograph include—
(a) the negative as well as the positive version; and
(b) data stored on a computer disc or by other electronic means which is capable of conversion into a photograph.
(4A) References to a photograph also include—
(a) a tracing or other image, whether made by electronic or other means (of whatever nature)—
(i) which is not itself a photograph or pseudo-photograph, but
(ii) which is derived from the whole or part of a photograph or pseudo-photograph (or a combination of either or both); and
(b) data stored on a computer disc or by other electronic means which is capable of conversion into an image within paragraph (a);
and subsection (8) applies in relation to such an image as it applies in relation to a pseudo-photograph.
(5) “Film” includes any form of video-recording.
(6) “Child”, subject to subsection (8), means a person under the age of 18.
( 7 ) “ Pseudo-photograph ” means an image, whether made by computer-graphics or otherwise howsoever, which appears to be a photograph.
(8) If the impression conveyed by a pseudo-photograph is that the person shown is a child, the pseudo-photograph shall be treated for all purposes of this Act as showing a child and so shall a pseudo-photograph where the predominant impression conveyed is that the person shown is a child notwithstanding that some of the physical characteristics shown are those of an adult.
(9) References to an indecent pseudo-photograph include—
(a) a copy of an indecent pseudo-photograph; and
(b) data stored on a computer disc or by other electronic means which is capable of conversion into an indecent pseudo-photograph.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/37/section/7 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-7
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.