Arbitration Slated for T.I. Media's Suit Against Former Exec

SAN FRANCISCO — An arbitration hearing will be held at the end of the month in the case of a former Treasure Island Media marketing exec who was accused of taking over the company's MitchMason.com website and exploiting it after he left the company.

Jeffrey Smith, the former marketing director, has denied all of the gay porn studio's allegations, but he still holds on to MitchMason.com, which was operable until months ago but now is parked.

Several years ago, Treasure Island Media started up MitchMason.com, which centered around the fictional Mitch Mason, a "go-go dancer-turned-business school student-turned-club promoter-turned adult blogger" and relative of another Treasure Island Media brand and depiction, Matt Mason.

But Treasure Island Media claims Smith registered the company's domain name to himself earlier this year in a chance of opportunity when he worked at the San Francisco-based company. The studio also contends that the former exec schematically removed other administrative users of online accounts and diverted company funds to purchase traffic for his own benefit.

Smith, who began working for the company in January 2012, lead Treasure Island Media' s marketing and its social media efforts, including writing blog posts under the "Mitch Mason" name. In February, the suit said, Smith abruptly left the studio after registering the site MitchMason.com.

Treasure Island Media, which holds a trademark for Mitch Mason in relation to online adult services, made an array of charges against Smith, alleging cyberpiracy, breach of contract, trade secret appropriation, conversion, unjust enrichment, false designation of origin, unfair competition and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Treasure Island Media is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction over Smith's use of the Mitch Mason trademark, a transfer of the MitchMason.com domain name and $630,000 in damages, as well as profits realized by Smith using MitchMason.com.

An arbitration hearing was set Monday for Sept. 29 in front of neutral Robert Morrill, a senior partner in the San Francisco law offices of Sidley Austin. Morrill specializes in misappropriation of trade secrets cases, among other intellectual property law matters.

Smith and Treasure Island Media did not immediately respond to XBIZ requests over comment in the case.

View T.I. Media's lawsuit against Jeffrey Smith

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

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Performer Esperanza Goméz Over IG Suspensions

Colombia’s Constitutional Court last week ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

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 Tackle Online Censorship in Virtual Seminar

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.

Show More