Articles by Lawrence G. Walters, Esq.

trends

Whip Me, Beat Me... Now Go to Jail?

The increase in both frequency and popularity of erotic content depicting fetish activity such as bondage, discipline, sadomasochism and sadism ("BDSM") warrants some exploration from the legal side.

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
trends

Sex, Lies & Children

A favorite trick of the censors in this country is to blur the lines between protected speech, in the form of adult erotica on the one hand, with patently illegal material, in the form of child pornography on the other, by mixing the two at every opportunity.

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Thought Police Claim More Victims

In this country, we put adults in a cage for making a movie about a sexual fantasy. Rob Black and Lizzy Borden (a/k/a Robert Zicari and Janet Romano) both received a year and a day in a federal penitentiary, for making movies with consenting performers for enjoyment by consenting adults.

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
trends

Craigslist Impacts UGC Sites

Operators of user generated content (UGC) websites, including social networks, 'tube' sites, and online adult classified operations, may be substantially impacted by the outcome of the litigation involving Craigslist.com.

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Three Alternate Futures

As the Democratic Party wrestles with its knockdown, drag-out primary contest between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, desperately seeking unity, the adult industry is no doubt wrestling with its own concerns regarding how it will fare under the potential presidency of the three remaining major candidates. The voters’ choice of candidate in November will dramatically impact the way in which the adult industry will fare — potentially for many years to come. Therefore, an objective, informed evaluation of each candidate’s stance on erotic entertainment and First Amendment issues is critically important to determining the potential impacts on the industry.

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Government-Sanctioned Copyright Infringement?

A little-known dispute between the island nation of Antigua and the United States may turn into a major headache for media companies, including those in the adult entertainment industry. Specifically, Antigua is threatening to withdraw its agreement to protect United States copyright and other intellectual property rights, as a result of the United States’ refusal to honor a World Trade Organization (“WTO”) ruling, finding it in non-compliance with the 1994 General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS).

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Advertising Online Escorts: 2

This article will briefly analyze some of the interesting and occasionally complex legal issues for the aspiring online escort agency Webmaster

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Advertising Online Escorts: 1

Online escort directories have proliferated in recent times. Although many of the legal issues pertaining to operation of an adult Website are equally applicable to online escort venues

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Porn & Employee's Rights: 2

Welcome to the world of workplace discrimination and the Marcie Betts wrongful termination case, which was recently won on First Amendment grounds. Would YOU be as fortunate? The answer might surprise you

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Porn & Employee's Rights: 1

Imagine showing up for your day job one Friday afternoon and being summoned by your boss for a "chat." When you arrive at his or her office, you are handed a stack of pictures of you downloaded from the adult site that nobody was supposed

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

An Obscenity Prosecution: Part 2

At this point, the Robinsons realized that they were in over their head, and needed an experienced First Amendment attorney to defend their interests. Larry Walters was proud to assist

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

An Obscenity Prosecution: Part 1

Given the promised wave of obscenity prosecutions to be brought by the DOJ against adult webmasters, the time is right to take a look at the first obscenity prosecution against an adult site

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

The Acacia Issue: A Look At The Options

Recently, Acacia sent letters to those who provide “access” to sites allegedly violating their patent claims by streaming video. Most of these new targets are affiliates or link lists, and do not actually stream videos

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Guilt By Association

This Legal Update will not be the usual collection of news stories and legal tidbits. The current prosecution of Extreme Associates and the industry’s response is the single most important issue

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

August Legal Update: 2

This month's legal update by attorney Lawrence G. Walters, Esq., examines several recent concerns over the legal issues surrounding adult sites. Here's the latest information that you need to know in order to protect yourself and your business

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

August Legal Update: 1

This month's legal update by attorney Lawrence G. Walters, Esq., examines several recent concerns over the legal issues surrounding adult sites. Here's the latest information that you need to know in order to protect yourself and your business

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Keeping Children Away From Adult Material

Now that the Child Online Protection Act (“COPA”) has been declared unconstitutional again by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, it is time to revisit the issue of age verification, children, and adult materials. While no self-respecting adult webmaster would argue that children

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Adult Legal Update 2

This month's legal update by attorney Lawrence G. Walters, Esq., examines several recent concerns over the legal issues surrounding adult sites. Here's the latest information that you need to know in order to protect yourself and your business

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Adult Legal Update 1

This month's legal update by attorney Lawrence G. Walters, Esq., examines several recent concerns over the legal issues surrounding adult sites. Here's the latest information that you need to know in order to protect yourself and your business

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
opinion

Adult Legal Update 2

This month's legal update by attorney Lawrence G. Walters, Esq., examines several recent concerns over the legal issues surrounding adult sites. Here's the latest information that you need to know in order to protect yourself and your business

Lawrence G. Walters, Esq. ·
Show More