Hustler, Playboy Named in DRM Patent Lawsuit

TYLER, Texas — In an action with potential Acacia-like ramifications for the online adult industry, a Texas-based company called Digital Reg has filed a patent infringement lawsuit naming Hustler, Playboy, LFP Inc. and several major media and technology companies.

The patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,389,541, was issued to Digital Reg in May 2002, and is entitled “Regulating Access to Digital Content.”

In its lawsuit, Digital Reg asserted that all the defendants have “infringed and [continue] to infringe the ‘541 patent by making, using, providing, offering to sell, and selling (directly or through intermediaries), in this district and elsewhere in the U.S., digital content incorporating Digital Rights Management technology.”

In addition to Hustler, Playboy and LFP, the lawsuit named Microsoft, Apple, Audible Inc., Sony Corp. of America, Sony Connect Inc., Macrovision Corp. and Blockbuster Inc. as defendants.

The lawsuit described the alleged infringement as “willful and deliberate” and asserted that this fact entitles Digital Reg to increased damages under federal law, as well as attorney’s fees and costs incurred in pursuing the action.

“Defendants’ infringement of Digital Reg’s exclusive rights under the ‘541 patent will continue to damage Digital Reg, causing irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless enjoined by this court,” Digital Reg stated in the lawsuit.

In addition to damages and costs, Digital Reg is seeking a ruling from the court stating that the defendants “have infringed and continue to infringe claims of the ‘541 patent” and a permanent injunction “enjoining the defendants from further acts of (1) infringement, (2) contributory infringement, and (3) actively inducing infringement with respect to the claims of the ‘541 patent.”

Attorney for LFP Paul Cambria told XBIZ that he was not familiar with the complaint, and thus could not comment on Digital Reg’s claims. Attorneys for the other defendants named in the case and counsel for the plaintiff were unavailable for comment by post time.

The lawsuit was filed Oct. 5 in U.S. District Court in Tyler, Texas.

Read the complaint

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

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Show More