FSC Files Legal Challenge to Utah's Anti-Porn Law

FSC Files Legal Challenge to Utah's Anti-Porn Law

LOS ANGELES — Free Speech Coalition filed suit Wednesday in the United States District Court for the District of Utah to overturn the state’s new anti-porn law, SB 287.

The complaint asks for declaratory and injunctive relief against the law on account of violations of the First and 14th Amendments. 

Joining Free Speech Coalition in filing the challenge are Andrea Barrica, founder of the sex education site O.school; journalist, educator and content creator Charyn “Ryn” Pfeuffer; Utah-based erotica writer D.S. Dawson; “John Doe,” a pseudonymous Utah-based attorney; and fan platform JustFor.Fans.

The parties are represented by Jeffrey Sandman of Webb Daniel Friedlander LLP, D. Gill Sperlein of the Law Office of D. Gill Sperlein and Jerome Mooney of Weston, Garrou & Mooney Law Firm, on a pro bono basis.

“The Utah law restricts adults’ access to legal speech and violates decades of Supreme Court precedent,” said Alison Boden, executive director of Free Speech Coalition. “We are fighting not only for the rights of our members and the larger adult entertainment community, but for the right of all Americans to access constitutionally protected expression in the privacy of their own home.”

Utah's SB 287 requires that visitors to adult sites prove that they are over 18 years of age, such as by providing digitized government identification to a service that interacts with a state database. However, the state of Utah does not currently have the capability to verify digital IDs online.

The complaint, an FSC rep explained, "details a litany of constitutional issues, including prohibitions on prior restraint of speech, compelled speech, and violations of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that age-verification requirements like the one instituted in Utah are unconstitutional so long as other less intrusive methods — such as device-level internet filters — are available."

“We wrote to Utah during the legislative process raising these issues and asking for a dialogue around workable solutions, but were ignored,” Boden added. “Adult websites don’t want children accessing their content any more than the state of Utah does. But the solutions put forward in SB 287 put an unreasonable burden on free expression that we believe are meant to have a chilling effect for all Utahns.”

For more information and the full complaint, visit FreeSpeechCoalition.com.

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

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Keiran Lee Gets Star Send-Off from Brazzers Ahead of UK Homecoming

Keiran Lee is coming home. Two decades after moving from England to the United States to sign an exclusive contract with Brazzers, the award-winning performer is moving back to the U.K. this week along with his wife, fellow performer Kirsten Price, and their three children.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Lady Dee Stars in Latest From Immoral

Lady Dee stars with Paul Stalker and Charlie Dean in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions.

Adult Time Drops 'Busting Porn Myths Vol. 1' Informational Video

Adult Time has released the first volume of its new Performer Center series, “Busting Porn Myths.”

Octavia Red Stars in Final Episode of Bree Mills' 'Escape From Camp Conversion' From Adult Time

Octavia Red stars in the final episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from Adult Time studio brand Girlcore.

Octokuro Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octokuro has made her Vampired debut alongside Sata Jones in “Vampirella Unleashed.”

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Show More