Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9 · Chapter 9.68
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.68.050 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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For the purposes of RCW 9.68.050 through 9.68.120:
(1) "Minor" means any person under the age of eighteen years;
(2) "Erotic material" means printed material, photographs, pictures, motion pictures, sound recordings, and other material the dominant theme of which taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest of minors in sex; which is patently offensive because it affronts contemporary community standards relating to the description or representation of sexual matters or sado-masochistic abuse; and is utterly without redeeming social value;
(3) "Person" means any individual, corporation, or other organization;
(4) "Dealers", "distributors", and "exhibitors" mean persons engaged in the distribution, sale, or exhibition of printed material, photographs, pictures, motion pictures, or sound recordings.
[ 1992 c 5 s 1; 1969 ex.s. c 256 s 13.]

Notes:

Reviser's note: As to the constitutionality of this section, see Soundgarden v. Eikenberry, 123 Wn.2d 750, 871 P.2d 1050 (1994).
Severability—1969 ex.s. c 256: "If any provision of this 1969 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, is not affected." [ 1969 ex.s. c 256 s 21.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 37 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1971–2025 · leading case: Soundgarden v. Eikenberry, 871 P.2d 1050 (Wash. 1994).
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Soundgarden v. Eikenberry, 871 P.2d 1050 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 28× “5, codified as RCW 9.68.050, .060, .070 and .090, and also known as the "Erotic Music Statute") and permanently enjoining its enforcement.”
State v. Hai Minh Nguyen, 425 P.3d 847 (Wash. 2018). · cites it 2× “130 or erotic materials as defined by RCW 9.68.050 or any material depicting any person engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined by RCW 9.”
State v. Bahl, 193 P.3d 678 (Wash. 2008). · cites it 2× “[8] The State also relies on statutory definitions of "erotic materials" in RCW 9.68.050 and RCW 9.68A.150(3)(b). RCW 9.”
State v. Bahl, 164 Wash. 2d 739 (Wash. 2008). · cites it 2× “The State also relies on statutory definitions of “erotic materials” in RCW 9.68.050 and RCW 9.68A.150(3)(b). RCW 9.”
Ino Ino, Inc. v. City of Bellevue, 132 Wash. 2d 103 (Wash. 1997). “2d at 758 (finding that the definition of "erotic material” under RCW 9.68.050 is a constitutionally valid definition of obscenity adjusted for minors).”
Ino Ino, Inc. v. City of Bellevue, 937 P.2d 154 (Wash. 1997). “2d 1050 (finding that the definition of "erotic material" under RCW 9.68.050 is a constitutionally valid definition of obscenity adjusted for minors).”
State v. J-R Distributors, Inc., 512 P.2d 1049 (Wash. 1973). · cites it 2× “Application of the later enactment is not broadened by use of the language "the provisions of RCW 9.68.050 through 9.68.120 shall be exclusive.”
State v. Maynard, 910 P.2d 1115 (Or. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 2× “21 (McKinney 1989), Utah Code Ann §§ 76-10-1201(11), 76-10-1206 (1995), Wash Rev Code Ann §§ 9.68.050(2), 9.68.060(3)(d) (West Supp 1994).”
State v. J.H.-M., 566 P.3d 847 (Wash. 2025). · cites it 4× “130 or erotic materials as defined by RCW 9.68.050 or any material depicting any person engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined by RCW 9.”
City of Spokane v. Portch, 596 P.2d 1044 (Wash. 1979). “RCW 9.68.030 prohibits the sale, loan or distribution of articles or drugs for causing unlawful abortion or providing material to assist in obtaining such article or drugs.”
State v. Vance, 444 P.3d 1214 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “The warrant in this case explained that there was probable cause to search for "evidence of the crime(s) of: RCW 9.68.050 Dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and RCW 9.”
City of Tacoma v. Naubert, 491 P.2d 652 (Wash. Ct. App. 1971). “RCW 9.68.050 defines “erotic material” as material the dominant theme of which taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest of minors in sex; which is patently offensive because it affronts contemporary community standards relating to the description or representation of…”
Show all 37 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9.68.050(1) — 1 case
State v. J.H.-M., 566 P.3d 847 (Wash. 2025). “130 or erotic materials as defined by RCW 9.68.050 or any material depicting any person engaged in sexually explicit conduct as defined by RCW 9.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9.68.050(2) — 10 cases
State v. Bahl, 193 P.3d 678 (Wash. 2008). “[8] The State also relies on statutory definitions of "erotic materials" in RCW 9.68.050 and RCW 9.68A.150(3)(b). RCW 9.”
State v. Bahl, 164 Wash. 2d 739 (Wash. 2008). “The State also relies on statutory definitions of “erotic materials” in RCW 9.68.050 and RCW 9.68A.150(3)(b). RCW 9.”
Soundgarden v. Eikenberry, 871 P.2d 1050 (Wash. 1994). “5, codified as RCW 9.68.050, .060, .070 and .090, and also known as the "Erotic Music Statute") and permanently enjoining its enforcement.”
State v. Maynard, 910 P.2d 1115 (Or. Ct. App. 1996). “21 (McKinney 1989), Utah Code Ann §§ 76-10-1201(11), 76-10-1206 (1995), Wash Rev Code Ann §§ 9.68.050(2), 9.68.060(3)(d) (West Supp 1994).”
State Of Washington v. Ricardo Liard Bruno (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).
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