The Free Speech Coalition opposes the use of state and Federal obscenity laws to prosecute any materials created by and for consenting adults. Moreover, we are increasingly concerned by the current crop of cases demonstrating the power of the government to destroy lives and lawful businesses. 

 

It is of vital importance to every member of the adult community, whether in the entertainment, products, services or information sector, that the current cases are properly funded and defended. The Federal government often uses the financial weakness of a company as a factor in selecting targets. Yet the battles occurring before and during trial affect everyone who markets material on the Internet today, and their outcomes will define the future battlefields for at least the next generation.

 

Obscenity laws that were created long before computers are now being tested and redefined for the Internet in the ongoing cases. For example, there is an outstanding chance of a ruling favorable to the industry in the Extreme Associates case. The issue in this case is whether an entire website is the “whole” which a jury must evaluate. This could fundamentally change the legal environment and provide a substantial obstacle to future prosecutions. Likewise, Extreme Associates represents the best chance for a ruling that the World Wide Web is itself the community which defines the obscenity standard, rather than a narrow geographical one. There is no money on hand for this defense.

 

The Max Hardcore case, now on appeal, raises similar issues of the Internet community, “taken as a whole” and additionally, the Government’s right to pick arbitrarily a venue of its choosing. There are no funds on hands for this appeal.

 

Government censors depend on “divide and conquer.” Most prosecutors claim that they only prosecute the “worst of the worst,” and content considered “outside the mainstream.” If John Stagliano is the “worst of the worst” and “outside the mainstream,” what does that mean about the millions of Americans who view his materials every year? And what will that mean for you when the Government picks you and your company, or your best supplier, or your best customer to target?

 

We urge you to dig deeply to protect the industry from the Federal fundamentalist extremists who want criminalize your ability to produce and distribute adult materials consumed only by willing adults and made only by willing adults. 

 

We understand that these are difficult economic times for the adult industry. We cannot allow our best chance to fight back and win the battles that will protect our industry for years to come, to be lost due to lack of funding. Four of the current and recently past cases were dreadfully underfunded. Look beyond personalities or content preferences and even tough times, and seize back our future from those who would destroy us.

 

To contribute to the legal funds for the Max Hardcore and Extreme Associates cases, mail your contributions to:

 

 

Make sure you earmark your contribution to specify "Max Hardcore" or "Extreme Associates."

 

To contribute to the legal fund for John Stagliano, mail your contributions to:
 

Van Nuys, CA 91405
 

Please write “Defend our porn” in the memo section of the check.