Mobile Content Suit Pits FriendFinder vs. Twistbox

LOS ANGELES — FriendFinder Networks Inc. has filed a suit against mobile content distributor Twistbox Entertainment, alleging the company continued to publish and permit third parties to distribute hundreds of copyrighted Penthouse titles for two years after its contract was terminated.

The suit, filed at U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, claims Twistbox's WATT Media Corp. division entered into a deal with FriendFinder's Penthouse division in May 2006 but after three years the agreement was terminated due to a breach in the mobile content distribution agreement.

The purported breach was not disclosed in the suit.

FriendFinder says the contract termination in January 2009 was written on paper but that Twistbox chose to ignore the severed deal and streamed its content on its site as well as providing it to third parties.

The alleged infringing material FriendFinder claims in the suit comprises more than 500 pieces of Penthouse's catalog, including works from Shay Laren, Heather Vandeven, Penthouse's "AdultFriendFinder.com's Guide to Threesomes," Forum magazine and Penthouse magazine archives going back as far as 1969.

The copy infringement suit seeks damages, treble damages and injunctive relief, among other demands.

FriendFinder attorney Ira Rothken and Twistbox executives did not return XBIZ queries by post time.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Supreme Court Rejects Trump Tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled against the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, which have significantly impacted the pleasure industry.

FSC Updates Complaint in Tennessee AV Case, AG Motions to Dismiss

The Free Speech Coalition this week filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit challenging the Protect Tennessee Minors Act as unconstitutional, in response to which the Tennessee attorney general motioned for dismissal of the case.

Cherie DeVille Joins Woodhull Freedom Foundation 'Free Speech' Panel

Multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille will join the upcoming Woodhull Freedom Foundation panel series "Fact Checked by Woodhull," addressing free speech on Feb. 26.

Wisconsin AV Bill Moves Ahead, Minus Anti-VPN Provisions

The Wisconsin state Senate on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require adult websites to verify the ages of users, but approved an amendment striking proposed language that would have required sites to block virtual private network traffic.

Pineapple Support Introduces 'Wellbeing by PS' Service

Pineapple Support has debuted its new Wellbeing by PS service, providing mental health support packages for companies and agencies.

MyMember.site Integrates Bluesky Functionality

MyMember.site has added Bluesky features to its website management platform.

GirlsDoPorn Defendants Ordered to Pay Victims $75.5 Million

A federal court has ordered former GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt and his co-defendants in the GDP sex trafficking case to pay restitution totaling $75,568,283.47 to 106 victims.

SWR Data Publishes 'Clip Trend' Report

Adult industry market research firm SWR Data has published a report on clip platform performance and sales.

Another German Court Rejects Blocking Orders Against Pornhub, YouPorn

A German court has blocked the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority (MA RLP) from forcing telecom providers based within the court’s jurisdiction to cut off access to Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn.

Ofcom Fines Kick Online Entertainment $1 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Thursday fined Kick Online Entertainment 800,000 pounds (more than $1 million) for failing to implement age checks as required for compliance with the Online Safety Act.

Show More