$2.4M Copyright Lawsuit Against AdultDVDTalk Is Dropped

$2.4M Copyright Lawsuit Against AdultDVDTalk Is Dropped

LOS ANGELES — A $2.4 million suit, targeting the operators of AdultDVDTalk.com over eight celebrity images posted in its online forum, has been dropped.

On Thursday, the plaintiff in the suit, Pacific Coast News, voluntarily dismissed all claims against AdultDVDTalk.

The lawsuit, which first targeted the operator of BushDVD.com but also was laster dropped, claimed that AdultDVDTalk infringed on copyright-registered photographs taken by Pacific Coast News of celebrities Amanda Seyfried, Sarah Highland and Selena Gomez.

Drew Black, who with his wife runs AdultDVDTalk, told XBIZ on Monday he wasn’t exactly sure why Pacific Coast News dropped the case against 17-year-old company.

“Our lawyers have a few guesses and theories as to why the plaintiffs may have dropped the suit,” he told XBIZ. “[But] I doubt we'll ever know the true reasons.”

Last month, Black said that Pacific Coast News was using an "opportunistic lawsuit" that threatened the future of his company. Pacific Coast News has filed 126 similar copyright claims against defendants in the past four years

The suit against AdultDVDTalk said that the site wasn’t “safe harbored” by the DMCA because its forum had moderators that have “specific forum-related powers beyond that of a typical user” and that it should be liable for the postings of the eight celebrity images.

Today, Black had a message for online operators who allow users to generate and post content.

“The most important message to get out there is that websites that accept user-generated content must register a designated agent with the U.S. Copyright Office to avoid these kinds of lawsuits,” he said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Seoul Authorities Force Cancellation of Adult Expo for 'Distorting Perceptions of Sex'

After Seoul authorities repeatedly prevented 2024 KXF The Fashion from finding a suitable venue, event organizers have canceled the popular Korean adult industry expo, which was scheduled for this week.

FSC to Hold Discussion on Adult Industry Rights With Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn

Free Speech Coalition will hold a virtual discussion with Joe Cohn, a strong advocate for the adult industry’s rights who is running for Congress in November.

Sophie Dee, Ricky Johnson to Deliver 'XBIZ Talks' at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that Sophie Dee and Ricky Johnson will each deliver an “XBIZ Talk” at next month’s XBIZ Miami conference

FSC to Host Webinar on Derisking and the Adult Industry

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is hosting a webinar on derisking, titled "Derisking: Examining Its Impact on the Adult Industry's Access to Banking," on April 24 at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Democratic Governor Fails to Veto Kansas Age Verification Bill

Kansas’ Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, expressed strong reservations about the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, but ultimately decided not to veto it, allowing the legislation to become law by default without her signature.

FSC's Alison Boden Testifies Against California Age Verification Bill, Urges Action to Defeat It

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified Tuesday against AB 3080, California’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Phoenix Marie Sues Aylo, Danny D Over Incident on Digital Playground Set

Phoenix Marie has filed a lawsuit against Aylo, performer/producer Danny D and other defendants, alleging she has suffered defamation and damage to her career over a 2023 incident on a Digital Playground set in Spain.

New Premium Creator Platform 'Lemon Social' Launches

Premium creator platform Lemon Social has debuted.

Atlanta Authorities Renew Attack on Adult Boutique Tokyo Valentino

The saga of beleaguered Georgia adult boutique Tokyo Valentino continues with a renewed attempt by authorities to shut down another of its locations.

MomPOV Producer Pleads Guilty in GirlsDoPorn Case

MomPOV producer Doug Wiederhold, who was formerly the partner of GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt as well as the first male talent for GDP, pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal conspiracy charge.

Show More