FSC Launches 2257DONATE.com

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has launched a fundraising website, 2257Donate.com, to raise money for the continuing legal effort against 18 U.S.C. § 2257, the federal regulations governing recordkeeping for adult producers.

FSC has challenged 2257 on behalf of industry stakeholders, contending that the regulations represent an unconstitutional invasion of privacy for performers. The impossible-to-comply-with regulations that burden producers also would imprison and fine producers for even slight errors in recordkeeping procedure.

The current suit filed by FSC is in the discovery phase and has been “fast-tracked” by the courts, so that it may be heard as early as June. Attorney J. Michael Murray is representing Free Speech Coalition.

“A successful outcome to this litigation will save millions for adult companies who do business online,’ said Diane Duke, FSC Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, it will eliminate the threat of jail time for even the slightest of 2257 violations, from incorrect font size on your website, to misfiling of a document. This is our last opportunity to overturn this oppressive and misguided regulation.

“But FSC can’t afford to do this alone,” Duke added. “We need to raise $300,000 in the next few months to fund this successful effort. We need your help. Please give, and please give generously.”

FSC is asking that all industry members – companies, producers, performers and fans – please, donate to fund these legal efforts so that the trial may continue. If current regulations are struck down, it will be a major victory for the rights of producers, performers, distributors and the adult industry overall.

Kink.com founder and FSC Board member Peter Acworth has been working diligently to help with fundraising efforts, and his company has donated $20,000 to the legal effort.

“I am deeply concerned about 2257,” Acworth said. “Just one issue is that 2257 requires a primary producer to share a performer’s personal information and ID’s with secondary producers (‘Secondary Producer’ means ‘anyone with a website’.). This is a clear violation of model’s privacy rights. Moreover, 2257 is impossible to comply with for a live cams product and overly burdensome even for the primary producer. Please let’s stay active during lull in 2257 inspections, and defeat 2257 while there is still a chance.”

Online Buddies, Inc./Manhunt.net co-founder Jonathan Crutchley also voiced concern over the fate of 2257 litigation and the potential for harm that may result from stopping the current lawsuit.

“Adult industry business should unite to beat this regulatory scheme,” Crutchley said. “Though there have not been recent prosecutions, if 2257 is not struck down, the door will always be open for legal action against producers and the threat of privacy violations against performers.”

All contributors that wish to be recognized will be named on the 2257Donate.com site. For more information about 2257 or how you can help, please contact Diane Duke at (818) 348-9373 or diane@freespeechcoalition.com.

FSC Responds to Complaint Filed by AHF Against Immoral Productions

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) denounces actions taken by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) as another misguided attempt to monopolize public health policy by demonizing adult industry businesses

At a press conference today, AHF announced that it has filed a complaint against adult production company Immoral Productions. In response to the latest developments involving AHF’s relentless attacks on the adult industry, FSC CEO Diane Duke has issued the following statement:

“There hasn’t been an on set transmission of HIV since 2004 – nationwide. Adult film industry protocols are highly effective, which is why it is so preposterous that AHF has spent millions on a problem that doesn’t exist. Moreover, AHF has yet to bring forth performers who are not on their payroll and now, an ‘anonymous’ letter? Countless adult film performers have come out against AHF’s crusade as detrimental to their health and their livelihood,” Duke said.

“The bottom line is that AHF’s efforts will only diminish performer safety, drive jobs out of LA and California and spend valuable tax dollars on a non-issue,” Duke added.

As the adult industry trade association, FSC has opposed AHF’s special interest campaign for barrier protection use in adult productions since 2007.

In 2010, after a lawsuit brought by AHF delivered a crippling financial blow to the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) clinic, which had been the primary source of healthcare services for industry performers. At that time, FSC stepped in to uphold industry-appropriate standards and protocols for production safety and developed the APHSS.org database program, to oversee performer STD testing.

In 2012, after an estimated $6 million dollars in campaign expenditures by AHF, county voters passed the Los Angeles ‘Safer Sex’ Ordinance for Adult Productions (aka Measure B) by a margin of 57% to 43%. Language on the ballot scarcely stated to voters the proposed barrier protection use, which includes condoms, dental dams, goggles and gloves. Soon after the election, Vivid Entertainment and two performer co-plaintiffs filed suit against the County of Los Angeles, in an effort to strike down the regulation. The case is ongoing.

AHF’s anti-adult industry attempts continue with Assembly Bill 332, which was to be introduced in committee today in Sacramento. The bill has been tabled by the Arts & Entertainment committee, but was handed over to the Labor Committee for further consideration.

FSC will continue to oppose AB 332 and the Los Angeles ordinance as unconstitutional and a burden on both adult industry and California taxpayers. If you would like to find out more about the Los Angeles ordinance, AB 332, or how YOU can help fight AHF’s big money, special interest campaign, contact info@freespeechcoalition.com and follow us @FSCArmy.

HotMovies Resurrects FreedomStreams to Fight Measure B

From AVN.com  – Video-on-demand site HotMovies.com announced today it will reinstitute its FreedomStreams benefit for the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) this year on April 15. On that day, all participating HotMovies studios will dedicate their one-day earnings to FSC. HotMovies will match all donations up to $10,000 to help fund the legal challenge and attempted repeal of L.A. County Measure B.

“We are elated to bring this important event back to life,” said HotMovies director of business development James Cybert. “Now is the time to do it, as our industry is entrenched in a crucial fight. We need the FSC on the front lines more than ever. We want every single content provider we work with to participate. We are now strongly encouraging them to send us permission to support our efforts.”

The first FreedomStreams fundraising event occurred in 2006. For three years, the annual event raised tens of thousands of dollars for FSC, which lobbies in Washington and other key battlegrounds to protect first amendment rights on behalf of the entire adult industry.

Cybert said the most important such battleground in 2013 is Los Angeles County. In November 2012, county voters passed Measure B, an initiative funded and supported by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). The measure, designed to suppress adult filmmaking in greater Los Angeles under the guise of worker safety, requires that all adult performers use protective barriers such as condoms and dental dams when performing any act likely to generate bodily fluids. It creates the need for oversight by already taxed law enforcement and government agencies.

“Their idea of safer sex and a safer workplace would seem to mandate that all performers wear hazmat suits or goggles while working on set,” Cybert said. “Worse, it creates an enforcement issue. Who will be responsible? Potentially it takes officers off the streets where their presence is badly needed and directs them instead to invade porn sets where nothing nefarious happens. It completely ignores all common sense and, perhaps most importantly, the overwhelming desire of the performers themselves. This organization, AHF, which purports to protect sex workers, is the very same one that recently shut down the most reliable test facility to protect these individuals.”

In 2011, AHF president Michael Weinstein took the first major step in what Cybert termed “his personal crusade against the adult industry.” By funding and encouraging a series of legal complaints, Weinstein successfully perpetrated a campaign to shut down AIM Medical Associates, the testing facility with an undeniably successful track record that kept the adult industry healthy and working for more than 13 years.

Marci Hirsch, Vivid Entertainment’s vice president of production and licensing and newly elected to FSC’s Board of Directors, served as a catalyst in renewing the FreedomStreams fundraiser for FSC.

“We all know how vitally important it is for the industry to succeed in overturning Measure B through our lawsuit. This program enables us to unite and pull together and I know we are going to see great success when we do,” she said.

Studios already slated to participate in FreedomStreams include Vivid, Ed Powers, Girlfriends Films, ErosArts, Porn Pros, Homegrown Video, Forbidden Fruits Films, Mile High Media, Combat Zone, Brandon Iron, Evil Angel, New Sensations, Kink.com, West Coast Productions, Zero Tolerance, Private, Adam & Eve and CWoody Photography.

Any HotMovies content producers who wish to participate in this year’s FreedomStreams benefit can email support@moviedollars.com or contact the HotMovies studio team at (800) 611-MOVIE.

Anyone else wishing to contribute need only to log into HotMovies or FreedomStreams.com on or before April 15, to buy minutes and watch some porn on tax day.

“Break out the lube and indulge yourself for a great cause on April 15,” Cybert said. “With your pleasure, you’re saving porn in L.A. and rescuing a hugely underappreciated portion of the Southern California economy. This might be the one issue where most Americans can actually agree these days. If these rules are strictly enforced, production companies will either leave Los Angeles or go out of business. That isn’t good for anyone.”

HotMovies.com adds new titles every day to its inventory of more than over 170,000 legally licensed movies, available for streaming on any device in a totally safe, anonymous and hassle-free environment.

FSC Thanks Mara Epstein for 16 Years of Service to the Industry

The following message of appreciation is to Mara Epstein, industry veteran and longtime member of the FSC Board of Directors. Composed by FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas, this message represents the deep gratitude and appreciation expressed by the entire Board of Directors and staff of FSC. Her contributions helped shape the coalition, and benefited her colleagues and peers in the adult industry during her time at FSC.

Mara is currently Director of Sales for Maia Toys. She continues to be closely involved in fundraising efforts on behalf of FSC.

“On behalf of the Board, and personally, I thank you and honor your 16 years of service as Director of the Free Speech Coalition. Throughout the tumults of work and family, you have been a dedicated advocate and volunteer for this organization, generously providing your invaluable expertise and insight. You have enriched us all.

“Thank you.”

– Jeffrey J. Douglas

Chair, Board of Directors

Free Speech Coalition