Perfect 10's Zada: Refusal to Rehear Case Immunizes Automated Piracy

Perfect 10's Zada: Refusal to Rehear Case Immunizes Automated Piracy

LOS ANGELES — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today refused to rehear its previous decision in the case of Perfect 10 Inc. v. Giganews Inc., which alleged a newsgroup service provider was culpable in the piracy of adult content.

Perfect 10' s $25 million lawsuit accused Texas-based Giganews Inc. of direct and contributory infringement by allowing users to upload more than 165,000 erotic images owned by Perfect 10 and neglecting to remove them when notified.

A federal judge sided with Giganews in 2015 and ordered Perfect 10 to pay the Usenet service provider's $5.64 million in attorneys' fees and court costs defending the suit. 

But Perfect 10 appealed the decision, challenging the central issue of "safe harbor" as defined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

In February, however, the 9th Circuit said that all of Perfect 10's arguments in the case lacked merit, upholding the multimillion-dollar judgment for attorneys’ fees.

Norman Zada, president of adult media company Perfect 10, told XBIZ today that the 9th Circuit decision “effectively immunized those who illegally copy, distribute and sell access to pirated movies, songs, images and other copyrighted works, as long as they use a computer to automate that process.”

Zada founded Perfect 10 as a softcore print magazine in 1997, and later integrated its adult content into the online world.

The brand, which continues to have a presence on the internet at Perfect10.com, stands behind a motto that says it all: "The world's most beautiful natural women." Perfect 10 was one of only three adult magazines allowed to be sold to the U.S. armed forces.

Zada said that the 9th Circuit’s refusal to rehear the case offers “substantial damage to this country’s movie and recording studios as a result of its ruling” because it upends copyright law by immunizing automated piracy.

“This ruling is very bad news for this nation’s creative industries and their employees, who need to be paid for the use of their works,” he said.

Zada said that Perfect 10’s evidence in the case “fell on death ears” with 9th Circuit judges.

“Despite receiving an amicus brief from the Recording Industry of America, which described defendants as blatant copyright infringers, the 9th Circuit nevertheless allowed them to continue to copy and sell access to roughly 25,000 trillion bytes of copyrighted works, virtually every imaginable movie, song, television show, computer game, software and image, without payment to, or permission of copyright holders.” 

Zada said that his only hope left is a request for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. But the nation's top court “rarely grants such requests,” he said. 

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More