FSC, Justice Dept. File 2257 Briefs Prior to Oral Arguments

FSC, Justice Dept. File 2257 Briefs Prior to Oral Arguments

PHILADELPHIA — The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday received supplemental briefs from the Free Speech Coalition and the Justice Department addressing the applicability of City of Renton v. Playtime Theatres Inc. to the appellate case over the legality of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2257-2257A, the recordkeeping statutes for adult producers.

The two parties submitted the briefs, each no more than 15 pages long, preceding oral arguments in the appellate review of Section 2257, which is slated for Dec. 9 at the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia.

The U.S. Supreme Court held in Renton in 1986 that cities may impose regulations prohibiting adult theaters from operating within certain areas, finding that the regulation in question was a content-neutral time, place and manner restriction for purported “secondary effects.”

FSC attorneys contend that under a case decided at the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, the challenged statutes are content-based regulations of speech subject to review under strict scrutiny and that the once-guiding case, Renton, does not survive Reed.

The statutes at issue here burden a particular category of protected expression based on its content — that is, expression containing sexual imagery,” the FSC said in its brief.

“Additionally, they draw content-based distinctions between categories of sexually explicit expression — treating expression depicting actual sexual conduct less favorably than expression depicting simulated sexual conduct. Consequently, they must be evaluated under strict scrutiny.”

The FSC went on to emphasize that the statutes regulate constitutionally protected sexually explicit expression “depicting adults in all manner of genres, including artistic, journalistic, educational and private expression.”

“For the Renton adverse secondary-effects theory to be even analogous, (let alone applicable), it would be necessary to conclude that constitutionally protected expression containing sexual images of adults causes the adverse secondary effect of unprotected child pornography, which, by definition, it does not,” the FSC said.”Protected expression does not cause unprotected expression.

“Child pornography is not an effect — secondary or otherwise — of that expression, like the harms of crime and reduced property values said to be caused by sexually oriented expression offered in adult bookstores and adult nightclubs. To suggest otherwise is a non-sequitur. This is not a secondary effects case.”

The Justice Department, however, said that the appellate court should sustain the constitutionality of the statutes because they have protected minors from sexual exploitation without substantially diminishing the quantity or accessibility of sexually explicit speech.

It noted that the statutes, “far from being an isolated speech regulation,” are part of a comprehensive legislative program to halt child pornography.

“In sum, Renton’s use of intermediate scrutiny recognizes that when the government regulates the non-communicative secondary effects of speech, it is often pursuing significant government interests at low cost to First Amendment freedoms,” the Justice Department said.

View FSC's brief

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

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

Show More