Critical Mass Video, Adult Source Media Fight Piracy

CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Adult anime labels Critical Mass Video and Adult Source Media have joined efforts to combat illegal downloads of their licensed properties.

During the past several months, both companies have been working together to identify and take legal action against Internet sites and individuals who offer unauthorized downloads and video streams of Critical Mass and ASM titles, the companies said.

Many of them direct “rips” of the companies’ Region 1 DVDs without compensating either the respective North American licensor(s) or the Japanese creators, a representative said.

“Adult Source Media has been targeting websites and affiliates who have been stealing our content for quite some time now,” ASM President Wendy Crawford said. “We have been jointly working with Critical Mass Video to facilitate measures to both shut down these sites and pursue criminal and civil charges against those who run them.

“As entrepreneurs who both started our companies with self-financing and tremendous sweat equity, Shawne Kleckner and I have to look at things from a broad perspective. This not only hurts our sales. It jeopardizes our ability to license new titles, and in turn, affects the livelihoods of our terrific employees and their families.”

Critical Mass Video President Shawne Kleckner agreed.

“To add insult to injury, a number of the sites are selling the creative content they have illegally appropriated," he said. "The bottom line: When we’re not being paid for our content, the Japanese companies and creative teams aren’t being paid. In turn, it affects whether or not new anime even gets made … and the Japanese licensors are increasingly vocal about their concerns in this area.

“Sadly, these site owners are forcing us to go beyond issuing cease and desist orders. They are placing us in a position where our only option is to hire attorneys and pursue legal remedies to this situation.”

For questions about this effort, or to report sites featuring suspect content, email stoppiracy@adultsourcemedia.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

Ricky's Room Signs Roxie Sinner to 1-Year Deal

Ricky’s Room has signed Roxie Sinner to a non-exclusive, multi-scene contract for one year.

Blake Blossoms Performs 1st Blowbang for Brazzers

Blake Blossom performs her first blowbang in the latest Brazzers scene, titled "Guess That Cock!"

Siri Dahl, 'Corn Telethon' Reveal Fundraising Success

Siri Dahl and her fellow event producers of Corn Telethon are celebrating the success of the event, raising more than $16,000 for Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) L.A. and Sex Workers Mutual Aid (SWAID) Las Vegas.

Digital Playground Premieres Ricky Greenwood's Action Feature 'Deadly Vows'

Digital Playground has debuted multi-XMAs winner Ricky Greenwood's new action feature, "Deadly Vows."

Lovita Fate Fronts Latest From Immoral Productions

Lovita Fate stars in a new trilogy from Immoral Productions, alongside Peachy Alice, Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

Romi Rain Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Romi Rain and Codey Steele star in the latest release from New Sensations.

JD Directs New Grazyeli Silva Showcase

Evil Angel has released JD’s Grazyeli Silva showcase, titled "Grazyeli Silva Sexcapades."

Heidi Jo Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Heidi Jo stars with her husband Jerri, Isiah Maxwell, and Hollywood Cash in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Anna Claire Clouds Leads Elegant Angel's 'Shared: A Hotwife Origin Story'

Reigning XMAs Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds stars in Elegant Angel's new feature thriller "Shared: A Hotwife Origin Story," part of the site's annual "Superstar September" initiative.

Gender X Drops 'Vampirella' Parody

Gender X Films has released its latest feature, "Transpirella," a parody of the 1970s sci-fi horror comic book "Vampirella," directed by Jim Powers.

Show More