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Adult Film/porn before the precedent?

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Expert: Dan Pepper - 6/20/2009


Question
Like you've told us a million times, California is the only state where it's legal to hire people to have sex for the purpose of creating adult movies thanks due to a precedent created by a 1988 decision of the California Supreme Court (California vs. Freeman).

Yet tons of porn has been produced before 1988, so how did that happen??

Answer
It really wasn't until the introduction of videotape and cable TV started that adult production ramped up as well.   For years, adult films were shot in secret locations, which always changed to avoid law enforcement.  In California, pandering carries a minimum three-year sentence with no possibility of probation.

So it really wasn't "legal" in the sense we think of it now.  It was always being produced in the shadows.  

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Dan Pepper

Expertise

Lawyer representing adult industry businesses and entertainers, and can answer questions related to:

How to start an adult film business or adult website LEGALLY.

What laws to be concerned about with getting into the adult entertainment industry.

What terms and conditions do you need on your adult website.

How to comply with 18 USC 2257 - the federal record keeping requirements.

What forms and agreements do you need for models and crew.

How to deal with copyright and trademark laws.

Before asking your question, I recommend visiting adultwebsitelawyer.com and requesting a copy of the Top 6 Considerations of Starting an Adult Entertainment Business. You may find your question answered there.

I ALSO DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MALES INTERESTED IN STARRING IN ADULT FILMS.

Experience

I have been practicing law since 1994, and have represented numerous businesses and entertainers in the adult entertainment industry as the managing member of Pepper Law Group, LLC, at adultwebsitelawyer.com. My firm also operates one of the industry's leading 2257 record keeping services for producers of adult content.

Organizations
Free Speech Coalition, Frequent speaker at adult industry events including the Internext Expo and Exxxotica New York; interviewed in AVN Online; regular contributor to XBiz World

Publications
XBiz World AVN Online

Education/Credentials
BA in Political Science, JD (law degree)

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