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Articles by Rick Louis

Virginia 'Porn Tax' Bill Delayed Until 2027

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee on Monday voted to postpone until next year consideration of a bill that would impose a 10% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state.

Virginia Becomes Latest State to Weigh 'Porn Tax'

The Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would impose a 10% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state.

UPDATED: Arcom Threatens to Block, Delist 2 Adult Sites Over AV Violation

French media regulator Arcom has sent enforcement notices to the operators of two adult websites that the agency says have failed to implement age verification as required under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Final Defendant Sentenced in GirlsDoPorn Case

Former adult producer Doug Wiederhold, previously a business partner of GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt, was sentenced on Friday in federal court to four years in prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

FTC Takes Another Step Toward New 'Click to Cancel' Rule

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is negotiating the latest procedural hurdle in its effort to renew rulemaking concerning negative option plans, after a federal court previously vacated a “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions.

AV Bulletin: Health Warnings, VPNs and Exemptions

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, more state age verification laws have been introduced around the United States, as well as at the federal level and in other countries. This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pornhub to Block UK Users Without Accounts Starting Feb. 2

Pornhub parent company Aylo will block access to its free video-sharing platforms in the United Kingdom starting Feb. 2 unless users have already set up accounts prior to that date, the company announced Tuesday.

Aylo Wins Another Major Piracy Lawsuit

For the second time in recent weeks, Pornhub parent company Aylo has prevailed in a copyright infringement case against sites pirating its content.

Arizona State Legislator Proposes Porn Ban

A member of Arizona’s House of Representatives on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make it illegal to produce or distribute adult content in that state.

SCOTUS Won't Hear Appeal in NYC Adult Businesses Zoning Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by a group of adult businesses of a lower court’s decision allowing enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

Florida Congressman Files Latest Bill to Repeal Section 230

Rep. Jimmy Patronis of Florida has become the latest member of Congress to propose legislation that would repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects interactive computer services — including adult platforms — from liability for user-generated content.

Irish Parliamentary Committee Weighs Stricter AV Laws

The Irish national parliament’s Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport met Wednesday to discuss regulation of online platforms and improving online safety, including calls for stricter age verification by adult sites.

Ofcom Issues Guidance on Age Check Placement for Adult Sites

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday published its recommendations for where and how adult sites should deploy age checks as required for compliance with the Online Safety Act.

Former IEAU Officer Sentenced to 4 Months

Amanda Gullesserian, who performed in the industry under the name Phyllisha Anne and founded the now-defunct International Entertainment Adult Union (IEAU), has been sentenced to four months’ imprisonment for making a false statement in an IEAU federal financial report.

Utah State Legislator Proposes New 'Porn Tax'

A Utah state senator introduced a bill on Monday that would impose a 7% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state, plus require adult sites to pay an annual $500 fee.

Arcom-Targeted Sites Implement Age Verification in France

Five high-traffic adult websites based outside of France have implemented age verification as required under the nation’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, after receiving warnings from French media regulator Arcom.

Florida Attorney General Dismisses AV Suit Against Segpay

The Florida attorney general’s office on Monday agreed to dismiss claims against payment processor Segpay in a lawsuit over alleged noncompliance with the state’s age verification law.

FTC Weighs Reboot of 'Click to Cancel' Rulemaking Process

The Federal Trade Commission has invited public comments on a petition to renew trade regulation rulemaking concerning negative option plans, after a federal court previously vacated a “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions.

New Federal Bills Aim to Repeal Section 230

Members of Congress this week introduced two bills calling for the repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects interactive computer services — including adult platforms — from liability for user-generated content.

House of Lords Approves UK Plan to Outlaw 'Choking' Content

The House of Lords, the U.K.’s upper house of Parliament, has agreed to amendments to the pending Crime and Policing Bill that would make depicting “choking” in pornography illegal and designate it a “priority offense” under the Online Safety Act.

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