Wall Street Journal Covers 2257 Battle

WASHINGTON — In a lengthy article published Monday in the Wall Street Journal, staff reporter David Kesmodel details the controversial legal battle between the adult industry and the federal government’s U.S.C. 18 § 2257 record-keeping laws.

Although the record-keeping regulations have been of major concern to many in the adult community, mainstream press have given the bill scant attention over the past year, despite the fact that many in the adult world say overregulation — from 2257 and other proposed bills — would effectively shut them down.

In his article, Kesmodel writes about the Free Speech Coalition’s ongoing legal battle on behalf of the adult community and speaks with several webmasters who say their businesses already have suffered because of the bill. Quoting Mark Prince at webcam company 2much Internet Services, Kesmodel writes that several “performers have quit over privacy concerns since their information could be shared with other adult sites.”

Kesmodel goes on to highlight AEBN’s Scott Coffman’s frustration with the law. Now only has Coffman spent more than $300,000 trying to get his online retail site to comply with 2257, he says several filmmakers simply refuse to give up actor information. The end result: only about half of AEBN’s 40,000 films have complete records.

“I don't see how me and another 10,000 sites storing the records helps,” Coffman is quoted as saying. “The only records I'm storing are what the manufacturers are giving me.”

Citing Wall Street Journal policy, Kesmodel could not speak with XBiz as to why the paper chose to cover the 2257 issue.

The full text of his article can be read here.

Copyright © 2024 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

FSC Drops Opposition to California Age Verification Bill After Amendments

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has dropped its formal opposition to California’s age verification bill AB 3080, after an amendment secured through months of discussions with the bill’s author was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Texas Age Verification Challenge

The United States Supreme Court granted on Tuesday the petition for a writ of certiorari in the Free Speech Coalition-led challenge to Texas’ age verification law, agreeing to hear the case in the next term.

Dorcel Group Acquires LifeSelector

Dorcel Group has acquired interactive content company LifeSelector.

Etsy Updates Policy to Ban Sale of Most Adult Pleasure Products, Content

Etsy will ban sales of most pleasure products and content that depicts sex acts and genitalia starting July 29.

Jamie Page Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for July

LoyalFans has named Jamie Page as its Featured Creator for July.

Stripper, Adult Businesses Challenge Florida's Under-21 Ban for Adult Entertainment Workers

Strip clubs and other adult entertainment establishments in Florida are challenging the state’s law that prevents them from employing adults between the ages of 18 and 20.

Byborg's Le Shaw Research Institute Teams Up With SWOP Behind Bars

LiveJasmin parent company Byborg Enterprises’ Le Shaw International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute has joined forces with U.S.-based sex worker advocacy group SWOP Behind Bars.

AI Erotic Storytelling Platform 'Erota' Launches

Erota, a new AI-powered erotic storytelling platform, has debuted.

Indiana Court Blocks Age Verification Law

A U.S. district court in Indiana has blocked the state's age verification law from taking effect this coming Monday, July 1.

Sex Worker Rights Advocates Speak at UN Criticizing Stigmatizing Report

Several sex worker rights organizations and advocates provided input this week at the United Nations office in Geneva, addressing a recent controversial report by the Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, which made broad claims about sex work and adult content, and also endorsed different forms of criminalization.

Show More