AdultShop.com Settles U.S. Payment Dispute

SYDNEY — Bringing an end to the on-going credit card processing problems that have besieged Australian adult Internet retail company AdultShop.com, the company announced today that it had settled an outstanding legal claim against it that could have potentially cost more than $2.8 million in damages and brought the company before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The underlying lawsuit, brought by a California credit card payment processor in 2002, alleged that AdultShop.com owed the processor approximately $1.86 million in outstanding charges and $1 million in general damages.

The case was also scheduled to be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court in January 2005.

“The legal fees that would have been incurred by the company were expected to have been significant,” said KJ Heitman, chairman of AdultShop, in a statement release Tuesday. “On the advice of the company’s United States-based legal advisors, the directors agreed to what is considered to be a fair and reasonable settlement.”

The terms of the agreement call for AdultShop to pay the processor $1.5 million to settle all claims against it.

AdultShop also made legal headlines recently when it initiated a multimillion dollar lawsuit against two Australian businessmen who had sold the company their online erotica division.

AdultShop paid roughly $12 million to Dean Shannon and Steve Jones in exchange for the division, but the credit card processor’s looming litigation caused AdultShop stock to drastically drop in price. The company sued Shannon and Jones in October 2004 to recoup some of its loss.

AdultShop alleged that the two businessmen breached the Australian Trades Practices Act and had misrepresented the benefits of merchant accounts.

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

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 14 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2026 digital media conference.

AEBN Publishes Report on POV Trends

AEBN has published a report on POV and gonzo categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Joybear Pictures to Launch 'I Really Love' Studio Imprint

Joybear Pictures has announced that its new studio imprint, I Really Love, will launch in January.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Life Transitions' Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group on navigating transitional and liminal spaces.

CamSoda Launches 'Trick or Tease' AI Companions

CamSoda has launched its Halloween-themed Trick or Tease AI companions.

Russian Lawmakers Call for Age Verification

Two Russian lawmakers have called on the country’s government to implement age verification for adult content.

British Documentary Spotlights XBIZ Amsterdam With Candid Conversations

British creator and host Josh Pieters traveled to XBIZ Amsterdam to film a documentary about the annual European adult industry conference.

XBIZ 2026 to Debut 'New Talent Go-See' Special Event

XBIZ 2026, North America’s premier adult industry conference, will debut a special event designed to help new talent jump-start their careers: the New Talent Go-See.

Penthouse Announces Digital Archive Launch

Penthouse Magazine has announced that it will launch a comprehensive digital archive in 2026.

Dreamcam Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Dreamcam has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Show More