Federal Judge's Recent 2257 Order Is Released

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson has released his memorandum to dismiss in part the Justice Department's motion to toss the Free Speech Coalition's 4th Amendment privacy claims over 18 U.S.C. § 2257.

The FSC, which filed suit against the government three years ago along with more than a dozen other plaintiffs, asserts that the federal record-keeping law for porn producers is unconstitutional because it violates constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizures.

Sections 2257 and 2257A impose a record-keeping requirement on producers of sexually explicit materials and require that they make such records available to the government for inspection at all reasonable times.

In the court document released yesterday, Baylson said the FSC and other plaintiffs face a substantial possibility of injury as a result of the operation of the statute and that changes made to 2257 and 2257A in 2008 do not render the 4th Amendment claim unripe.

In 2008, the Justice Department modified 2257 to provide visual depictions of simulated sexually explicit conduct fall within the scope of materials for which the record-keeping requirement is triggered; actual lascivious exhibitions of the genitals or pubic area are also within the scope of materials triggering the requirement; and producers may use third-party custodians to store their records.

"The government contends these changes make the 2006-2007  inspections outdated and irrelevant, thereby depriving this court of a factual basis upon which to assess Section  2257’s constitutionality, and thereby making the 4th Amendment claim unripe. Not so," Baylson wrote in the memorandum. "The 2008 changes will not cause every inspection in the future to be materially different from those in the past. The  broader scope of images for which the recordkeeping requirement is triggered will not lessen the invasiveness of future searches."

Baylson said that the court cannot preclude the threat that at least some   will undergo future inspections under 2257 resembling those in the past and therefore the 2006-2007 inspections continue to serve as relevant evidence.

A telephonic conference between Baylson and the two parties will take place next Thursday.

View U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson's 2257 order

Related:  

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

Adult Time Drops New Installmet of 'MILF Overload'

Adult Time has released the latest installment of director Jim Powers' series "MILF Overload."

Coco Bae Fronts Latest From Reality Kings

Coco Bae stars with Jordi El Nino Polla in the latest release from Reality Kings.

Eve Sweet Stars in Latest From Blacked Raw

Vixen Angel Eve Sweet stars with Vixen Media Group (VMG) exclusive Jason Luv in the latest release from studio imprint Blacked Raw.

Brazzers Drops Season Finale of 'MILF Quest'

Brazzers has released the final episode of the first season of "MILF Quest," hosted by Cherie DeVille.

Beca Barbie Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Beca Barbie has made her debut for Hookup Hotshot alongside Nade Nasty.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Valerica Steele Headlines Jonni Darkko's 'DVP Sluts'

Valerica Steele toplines director Jonni Darkko’s “DVP Sluts,” from Evil Angel.

Michael Ninn Returns With 'Catherine' Sequel Made Entirely by AI

Veteran filmmaker Michael Ninn, though retired from the adult business for the past 10 years, recently unveiled a new episodic project titled "Catherine II: The Series," which serves as a sequel to his 2005 adult film "Catherine."

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Show More