Articles by Rick Louis

Kink.com Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Copycat Website

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has ruled in favor of Kink.com in a case against a copycat website using an infringing domain.

Arcom Investigates Mym Over SREN Compliance

French media regulator Arcom is investigating creator platform Mym to determine whether the site may have violated age assurance rules and/or other requirements of France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

England, Wales to Enforce 'Extreme' Content Laws Starting Nov. 6

England and Wales will begin enforcing new laws criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation,” as well as sexual content in which adults portray underage characters, starting Nov. 6, the U.K. Ministry of Justice announced Friday.

Report: UK Film Classification Board to Monitor 'Extreme' Content Online

The U.K. government has tapped the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for a pilot program to monitor online pornography for illegal and “extreme” content, as it prepares to enforce new content restrictions, British media outlet Sky News is reporting.

New Federal Report Slams Debanking but Ignores Adult Industry

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on Wednesday released a report on debanking activities at nine large national banks, but omitted any mention of the adult industry, despite previously identifying it as a sector facing banking discrimination.

EU Court Rejects Stripchat Challenge of Past VLOP Designation

The EU’s General Court on Wednesday ruled against Stripchat in a lawsuit seeking to annul a 2023 European Commission decision designating the site as a “very large online platform” (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Aylo Case Against Utah VPN Rule on Hold Pending Legislative Changes

A federal court has paused Aylo’s suit over a Utah law making adult websites liable if minors bypass age verification by circumventing geolocation efforts, until the state legislature can meets to potentially amend the statute.

German High Court Puts Pornhub, YouPorn 'Network Ban' on Hold

A German high court on Friday temporarily barred a state media regulator from ordering internet providers to cut off access to Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn in Germany, pending further action by Cypriot and European Union authorities.

Luxembourg Media Regulator Fines LiveJasmin for AV Noncompliance

The Luxembourg Independent Audiovisual Authority (ALIA) has levied a fine of 25,000 euros (approximately $28,000) against webcam platform LiveJasmin for failing to comply with provisions of the country’s Electronic Media Law.

French Parliament Rejects Ban on Purchase of 'Remote' Sexual Services

The French National Assembly has backed off from a proposal to criminalize the purchase, and/or facilitation by online platforms, of sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.

Pornhub Unblocks Australia Users on iOS Devices, Citing Apple AV Effectiveness

Pornhub parent company Aylo on Tuesday announced that users in Australia will once again be able to access the popular site if they are using Apple devices and have confirmed their age through Apple’s Australian age-verification process.

California Governor Signs Bill Limiting CIPA Claims

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill to narrow the scope of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), to prevent abusive lawsuits targeting online businesses, including adult websites.

California Enacts Stricter UGC Rules for Adult Sites

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill to impose tighter compliance standards for user-generated content (UGC) on adult websites accessible in California.

Minister: UK Aims to Begin Enforcing 'Choking' Ban Before Year's End

The U.K. will soon begin enforcement of a new law criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation” in adult content, according to a Ministry of Justice official.

Ofcom Cites Web Prime, Porntrex for Alleged AV Violations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Tuesday notified two operators of adult websites of the agency’s provisional determination that the companies have failed to comply with provisions of the Online Safety Act.

Aylo Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Utah AV Law's VPN Rule

A federal court on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction preventing the state of Utah from enforcing a legal provision that would make adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts in order to bypass age verification.

Ofcom Investigates Pornhub's Device-Based UK Age Checks

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation to determine whether Pornhub parent company Aylo’s use of device-based age verification complies with the U.K.’s Online Safety Act.

France Weighs Ban on Purchase of 'Remote' Sexual Services

The French National Assembly is considering a proposal to criminalize the purchase, and/or facilitation by online platforms, of sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.

FSC Case Against Tennessee AV Law Can Go Forward, Court Rules

A U.S. district court on Tuesday denied the Tennessee attorney general’s motion to dismiss a Free Speech Coalition lawsuit challenging the Protect Tennessee Minors Act.

California Legislature Passes Stricter UGC Rules for Adult Sites

A bill to impose tighter compliance standards for user-generated content (UGC) on adult websites has been approved by the California state legislature and now awaits the governor’s signature.

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