Jill Kelly Gets Temporary Restraining Order Against Penthouse

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Attorneys for Jill Kelly have succeeded in getting a temporary restraining order against Penthouse Digital Media, seeking to prevent that firm from using her trademark name and her websites until the court decides which party owns them.

“The order restrained all parties including Penthouse and Jill Kelly from changing the status quo,” Robert J. Young, Kelly’s attorney, told XBIZ. “A preliminary injunction hearing is set for Dec. 18, whereby we’re going to duke it out and determine who actually owns these assets.”

Penthouse had purchased Jill Kelly Productions assets for $1.765 million at a bankruptcy court auction last April, but Kelly maintains that the trademark on her name and her websites, JillKelly.com and JillKellyStore.com, were not part of the transaction.

“That’s wonderful news for right now, because we felt Jill would have been irreparably harmed if somebody got control of her trademark, because then it could be altered,” Young said. “I’m very pleased with the results. I’m just disappointed that Penthouse, which pretends to be a magazine that honors women, is choosing to dishonor and disrespect this celebrity. She’s a good person and she deserves a lot more for what she’s done for the industry. If we have to fight, we’ll be successful for her.”

Young also told XBIZ that his client had rejected an earlier settlement offer tendered by Penthouse.

“The settlement offer they proposed was merely a token,” Young said. “Jill doesn’t have any confidence or trust in these people. The way they have conducted themselves, I have to agree with my client.”

Kelly originally offered her assets to XGen LLC, affiliated with Pleasure Productions and International Video Distributors, for an opening bid of $725,000, but Penthouse outbid them and made the purchase.

“The motion for that sale [to XGen] specifically excluded the rights that are being disputed today,” Young said. “As in all bankruptcy procedure, when the sale comes in, somebody can overbid and take away that sale for themselves. That’s what Penthouse did. They knew exactly what was being offered for sale. There was a specific exclusion that the debtor [Penthouse] doesn’t own the rights to her name or her websites.”

Penthouse claims that it bought Kelly’s name and websites with their purchase last April.

“It’s nonsense,” Penthouse CEO Marc Bell told XBIZ. “It was an asset of the bankruptcy. For $35, people can file anything.”

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

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Gal Ritchie Toplines Dorcel's 'Pigalle'

2025 XMAs winner Gal Ritchie stars with Clara Mia in the latest feature from Dorcel, titled “Pigalle.”

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Penthouse Names Sharna Beckman July's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named Australian model Sharna Beckman as Pet of the Month for July.

Adult Time Names Alison Rey as Newest Brand Ambassador

Adult Time has named Alison Rey as the studio's newest brand ambassador.

Violet Myers Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Reigning XMAs Premium Social Media Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Anal Exam."

Digital Playground Premieres Marvin Love's 'The Last Resort'

Digital Playground has debuted Marvin Love's new feature, "The Last Resort."

Juliana Marie Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Juliana Marie stars with Danny Mountain in the latest release from New Sensations.

April O'Neil Returns to 'All-Girl Massage' From Adult Time

April O’Neil stars in the latest installment of Adult Time series "All-Girl Massage," titled "This Ass Ain’t Gonna Rub Itself!"

Adult Time Drops New Installment of 'MILF Overload'

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

Show More