Adult Industry Meets With ATVOD at Roundtable Meeting

LONDON — Adult entertainment industry stakeholders met yesterday evening in a roundtable meeting with officials from British video-on-demand regulator ATVOD for a discussion over age-verification compliance and the new AVMS regulations.

The discussion — an effort made possible by ATVOD, IFFOR, ICM Registry and the Adult Provider Network — also took an inward look at how the adult entertainment industry, domestically in the U.K. and worldwide, could evolve and adapt with tough new rules put in place and ones that could be on the way.

A central question echoed by participant was, Can the adult industry coalesce and work with regulators over existing and proposed new rules?

Steve Winyard of ICM Registry, which operates the registry for .xxx, .porn, .adult and the upcoming .sex top-level domain sites, said that the real question is, “How far are people willing to be compliant when the hammer comes down?”

“Most of the big companies [in the online adult entertainment industry] control 80-90% of adult content across the world,” he said “If they come to the table, the rest of the operators would have to follow.”

In April, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said that the Conservative Party, which just scored a victory in Parliament with last week's election, would create laws that would fine ISPs if they did not cooperate and pull down noncomplying hardcore adult websites — both U.K.-based and overseas — without CAC systems requiring verification that users are 18 or over at the point of access with, typically, a credit card.

The AVMS regulations introduced in November 2014, on the other hand, require U.K. VOD online operators adhere to the same guidelines laid out for DVD sex shop-type porn by the British Board of Film Censors.

Wednesday evening, ATVOD’s Cathy Taylor, who has led the agency’s policy and investigation manager, fielded queries for 20 minutes on the new AVMS rules and Javid’s statement over site blocking domestic and foreign adult websites. Taylor was joined by ATVOD execs Ruth Evans and Pete Johnson at the roundtable meeting.

Winyard of ICM Registry spent another 20 minutes on how the adult business worldwide is reacting to the AVMS directive and whether the industry can work with the British government on proposed new regs.

Chris Ratcliff of Portland TV and the Adult Provider Network spent 10 minutes on what role should the adult biz play in the debate and whether age-verification is in the future for all adult sites.

The meeting was attended by some of the top advocates of commercial erotica in the British market — including Sex & Censorship’s Jerry Barnett and obscenity attorney Myles Jackman — and the ASACP’s European outreach director, Vince Charlton, among others, who all peppered relevant questions on the roundtable speakers.

IFFOR’s Sharon Girling gave opening and closing remarks at the roundtable.

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

Trump Administration Issues Executive Order Against 'Debanking'

The White House on Thursday issued an executive order limiting financial institutions’ ability to restrict access to financial services for people or groups involved in lawful industries, a longtime goal of adult industry advocates and stakeholders.

Millie Morgan Stars in Latest From MILFY

Millie Morgan stars with Hollywood Cash and Sheem in the latest release from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint MILFY, titled “Hot Blonde MILF Gets Tag-Teamed.”

Go.cam Launches Free Age Verification Solution, Anti-Fraud Features

Go.cam has announced that its age verification solution is now free with updated anti-fraud and identity protection features.

Mick Blue Dishes on Role in BET Plus Crime Flick 'Dutch III'

Decorated performer Mick Blue has stepped outside of the adult industry to appear in "Dutch III: International Gangster," a new mainstream crime movie currently streaming on BET Plus.

Blake Blossom, Millie Morgan Topline 'Massage Seductions 4' From Sweetheart Video

Blake Blossom and Millie Morgan headline the fourth volume of “Massage Seductions” from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

Elegant Angel Rolls Out 'Performers of the Year 2025'

Elegant Angel has kicked off its annual "Performers of the Year" campaign with weekly double penetration scene releases as part of "DP Tuesdays."

Adult Time's 'How Women Orgasm' Series Spotlights Sarah Arabic

Sarah Arabic is spotlighted in the latest installment of "How Women Orgasm," from Adult Time studio banner Up Close.

Florida AG Sues EU-Based Adult Companies for Failing to Age-Verify Users

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida against five EU-based adult companies for allegedly failing to require age verification before allowing access to adult content.

SkyPrivate Launches 'Telegram Pay-Per-Minute' Feature

SkyPrivate has launched a new pay-per-minute (PPM) private show option on Telegram.

Jessica Aaren, Wendy Raine & Harley Love Star in 'Freakier Friday' Parody From TeamSkeet

Jessica Aaren, Wendy Raine, and Harley Love star with Sage Roux in "I’m Still in My Stepdaughter's Body, Fuck Us Again," the latest parody release from TeamSkeet.

Show More