Private Media Group Gives Up Sureflix as Part of Settlement

TORONTO — Private Media Group has divested itself of its Sureflix Digital Distribution division, releasing the gay adult company to its original ownership as part of a settlement agreement.

The deal settles claims made by shareholders Eric Johnson, Erik Schannen and Michel Lozier alleging Private Media Group made material misrepresentations to induce the o­riginal owners into a deal to acquire it, as well as other allegations.

Sureflix of Toronto was acquired by Private Media Group in October 2009. Sureflix operates a network of gay pay-per-view VOD websites and supplies gay adult programming under the MaleFlixxx brand.

"Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the company transferred back to Messrs. Schannen, Lozier and Johnson all of the outstanding capital stock of [Sureflix]," Private Media Group said in a statement.

Private Media Group said that Johnson, who led Private during receivership, will remain as a director on the company's board.

In late May, Private Media Group also agreed to give up its GameLink division as part of a settlement deal with former Private Media Group CEO Ilan Bunimovitz and a number of investors.

Private Media Group transferred all of the outstanding stock in GameLink's operating parent companies ThinkForward Inc. and GreenCine Inc. to Bunimovitz, as well as investing shareholders Andrew Sullivan and Peter Marinac.

Both the GameLink and Sureflix settlement agreements culminate several years of wrangling in Nevada courts between Consipio Holding BV investors and Private Media Group. Plaintiff shareholders had claimed the company had been rocked by embezzlement, among other charges, from moves made by former CEO Berth Milton and former directors. In the end, the company changed its front office and board of directors.

Charles Prast, the current Private Media Group CEO, and Johnson both were unable to be reached for comment Monday evening by XBIZ.

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

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host 'Online Censorship' Event

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

ChickPass Rebrands as 'ChickPass Cinematic Universe'

ChickPass has announced that it has rebranded its network of sites as ChickPass Cinematic Universe.

Brazilian Adult Industry Association ABIPEA Launches

Brazilian Association of the Adult Entertainment Industry and Professionals (ABIPEA) has officially launched its organization.

New Adult Social Media Platform 'Havven' Opens Beta Phase

Havven, a new adult social media platform, has opened its beta phase and will officially launch Oct. 5.

Former Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer Sentenced to 3 Years Probation, $40,000 Fine

Former Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer was sentenced in federal court today to three years' probation and a $40,000 restitution fine for a conspiracy conviction related to money laundering through the defunct website.

Pineapple Support to Launch 'Wellbeing by PS' Initiative

Pineapple Support has announced its Wellbeing by PS initiative, naming new team member Amber Madden to head the project.

Playboy Wins $81 Million Judgment in Chinese Licensing Arbitration

Playboy Inc. was awarded $81 million in damages on Monday by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, in a licensing dispute with former partner New Handong Investment (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.

Show More