U.K. High Court Blocks Adult Video Sales Over Web

LONDON — In a stunning legal decision, the United Kingdom’s highest court has ruled that explicit adult videos cannot be sold over the Internet.

Further, high court justices said Monday that the videos cannot be sold through mail order or by phone. The court said the aim of the law was to stop the material from falling into the hands of children.

The court ruled that all “R18” films and videos must be sold in person in licensed sex shops. The R18 certificate represents a grade given by the British Board of Film Classification on its explicit nature.

"We have no doubt that one of the main reasons for the restriction is to ensure that the customer comes face-to-face with the supplier so that there is an opportunity for the supplier to assess the age of the customer,” Lord Justice Kay said in the ruling. "It is a disincentive to a visibly underage customer to seek out the forbidden material."

The ruling, however, may become a goldmine for websites and mail-order houses located elsewhere because the decision targets only those companies located in the U.K.

"Whilst they do no make it impossible for a determined minor to come into possession of an R18 video, they make it more difficult," Kay said.

In the decision, the court axed two appeals by licensed sex businesses fined after prosecutions by Liverpool City Council's trading standards department.

Interfact Ltd. were found guilty at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in last year for offering R18 classified videos on their website.

At the hearing which led to Monday’s ruling, Interfact’s David Pannick said it made "no sense" to allow sales to adults who were physically present, but prohibit mail order.

"Indeed, the only purpose which such an interpretation of the law would serve would be to damage the local economy in favour of the economy in France or the Netherlands," Pannick said.

Pannick had claimed prohibiting mail order would breach free speech rights, but the court said otherwise.

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

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

LELO Launches 'Masturbitter' Craft Beer to Promote Male Sex Talk

LELO has partnered with Great Beyond Brewing Company to launch Masturbitter, a craft beer, to encourage men to discuss sex.

Pineapple Support Appoints Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has appointed veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

Show More