British High Court to Rule on Internet Adult Video Sales

LONDON — Britain’s High Court is hearing arguments Wednesday in a case that may decide whether adult videos and DVDs may be sold by Internet merchants in the United Kingdom.

The case revolves around several licensed British businesses that were fined thousands of pounds by Liverpool City Council’s trading standards department for supplying and offering to supply adult videos on their websites.

In the underlying cases, both Interfact Ltd. and Pabo Ltd. were found guilty of violating the U.K.’s 1984 Video Recordings Act, which restricts the sale of adult videos to individuals over 18.

Though neither company is accused of selling the films to minors, district judges ruled in both of the initial cases that the companies were guilty because the recordings act allows only for the sale of adult material to customers “in person” and not over the Internet.

Arguments in court Wednesday followed a similar vein, with both the prosecution and defense agreeing that videos like “Bikers’ Gang Bang” and “Top Marks for Effort” could be sold legally in licensed shops.

The two sides diverged on Internet sales, though, with the defense arguing that restricting British companies from selling adult films over the Internet gave an unnatural advantage to internationally located rivals and caused the local economy to suffer.

“The only purpose which such an interpretation of the law would serve would be to damage the local economy in favor of the economy in France or the Netherlands,” said David Pannick, representative for Interfact. “We say that to prohibit mail order sales for videos which are accepted by the regulatory body to be appropriate for viewing by adults would breach [the right to freedom of expression clause] of the European Convention on Human Rights.”

Liverpool’s trading standards officers argued that, because the address of the buyer was effectively the point of supply, sales over the Internet were unlawful.

Because the stores were fined not only for supplying the adult videos but also for “offering to supply” them, defense attorneys are also raising the issue of whether Internet websites constitute offers to supply.

The prosecution argued that every time an Internet user visited a website that allowed the purchase of adult videos, it constituted an offense, but the defense contended that websites were no different than displays that customers might view before making an “offer to buy,” a concept that applies to many shop displays and mail order catalogues in the U.K. legal system.

The underlying cases are Interfact Limited vs. Environmental Health And Trading Standards Division, CO/2652/2004, and Pabo Ltd vs. Liverpool City Council, CO/3403/2004.

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

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

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

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More