Appellate Ruling Clears Way in Epic's Suit Against FriendFinder

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A California appeals court on Monday ruled that FriendFinder Network can't compel Epic Cash to arbitrate its claims over litigation involving Zango’s pop-up advertising.

Monday's decision stems from a long-running suit over Internet marketing and the alleged conversion of traffic.

FriendFinder's AdultFriendFinder division, a competitor of Epic Cash’s EpicCams.com website, is accused of having used Zango’s services to have diverted traffic away from Epic Cash sites and converted Epic's business to its benefit.

Epic alleges that Zango had caused advertisements to appear when users attempted to access Epic's websites. The pop-up ads blocked the content on Epic's websites and promoted Zango's services, the suit said.

The suit, filed at Santa Clara Superior Court, moved on to the California Court of Appeals after FriendFinder appealed the lower court's decision denying its petition to force Epic Cash in arbitration because FriendFinder had affiliate deals with both Epic and Zango.

But on Monday the appeals court rejected FriendFinder's appeal, ruling the affiliate agreements forcing arbitration were outside the scope of arbitration causes.

"[B]ecause Epic's lawsuit was against not just Friendfinder but also [Zango], which was not a party to an arbitration agreement with Epic, and there was a risk of conflicting findings if Epic's lawsuit against that defendant proceeded in court while the Epic/FriendFinder dispute was arbitrated, the superior court had discretion to refuse to enforce the arbitration agreement," the court said in its decision.

Gary Kaufman of Los Angeles-based Kaufman Law Group, which represents Epic, said that Monday's ruling clears the way for the case to proceed in front of jurors.

“This is a big day for Epic Cash," Kaufman told XBIZ. "The court of appeal agreed with both Epic Cash and the superior court that this matter did not belong in arbitration. This now clears the way for Epic Cash to vindicate its claims before a jury and receive compensation for Zango and AdultFriendFinder’s wrongful acts.”

Epic Cash has asked for $750,000 in damages in the case filed at Santa Clara Superior Court.

FriendFinder officials did not immediately respond for comment on the suit.

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

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Canadian Senator Revives Push for National AV Law

Sen. Julie Miville-Dechêne, whose previous multiple attempts to legislate national age verification requirements all failed, has introduced a new bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

FSC Submits Statement to House Committee in Support of FIRM Act

Free Speech Coalition has announced that it submitted a statement to the House Financial Services Committee in support of the Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act.The announcement follows:

Plaiir Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

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

Trump Tariffs Remain in Effect Pending Appeal of Trade Court Ruling

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Thursday stayed an injunction by the U.S. Court of International Trade, delaying the trade court’s order blocking the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, which have significantly impacted the pleasure industry.

FSC Issues Guidance on Kansas Age Verification Suits

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an advisory article for adult websites operating in Kansas, following several private lawsuits filed under the state's age verification law.

Show More