Self-Policing Industry Group? - GoFuckYourself.com

AOLGuy · 05-11-2003, 02:01 PM

I know there is currently the formation of lobbying groups, as well as organizations to oppose some of the current laws...

But if you think about the paranoia amongst much of our industry right now, it is because many on the website side of the business have done little to co-operate with the rules and regulations of recent years.

Our business is as big as mainstream entertainment, with revenues that, by conservative estimates, rank us as one of the larger US industries.

Hollywood and video game makers avoided harsh laws by self-regulating and imposing their own ratings systems.

I DO NOT feel we need a ratings system. But some sort of industry-standard disclaimer could certainly make us seem more responsible, for one.

But I do not think that is the simple answer to our potential legal woes...

Obscenity is for a jury to decide, and we will likely see some action on that front in the next 12-24 months.

I think the industry can form a self-regulating group, however, in regards to record keeping and ensuring all models are over 18 years of age.

Note: this would be IN ADDITION to current 2257 requirements.

I think if we take steps to show that we, as a group of businessmen, share the same concerns that all talent are over 18 years of age, it will clearly seperate us from this country's CP problem and ultimately save our business unwanted scrutiny--not to mention the money and resources of the DoJ.

I have a few ideas how we could go about this, and rally this business together with an industry standard for record keeping that is beyond what the current law requires. And it would be clear, without any of the vague wording or wishful thinking interpetation of the current laws.

I think if we made a more complete system, and offered centrallized access options (in addition to seperate 2257 records), we could streamline the process for the DoJ and show that we are willing to work with them to ensure the future of this business.

Under the current approach, if the first few inquiries turn up shoddy record keeping and potential underage models, what do you think that will do for our business?

Ultimately, working within our own guidelines--showing the government that we can police ourselves to an extent--would allow us greater control of our destiny.

If we were to form an industry group, with a sliding scale annual membership dues structure, we could accomodate companies both large and small. It would only stengthen the core of this business and ensure its future.

If everyone ponied up even a fraction of the Visa fee, we could maintain a central database of talent, and an infrastructure that would even impress fans of the Total Information Awareness act--while keeping the information private and only accessible by effected parties and the DoJ.

Thoughts?

05-11-2003, 02:01 PM	#1
AOLGuy Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,261	Self-Policing Industry Group? I know there is currently the formation of lobbying groups, as well as organizations to oppose some of the current laws... But if you think about the paranoia amongst much of our industry right now, it is because many on the website side of the business have done little to co-operate with the rules and regulations of recent years. Our business is as big as mainstream entertainment, with revenues that, by conservative estimates, rank us as one of the larger US industries. Hollywood and video game makers avoided harsh laws by self-regulating and imposing their own ratings systems. I DO NOT feel we need a ratings system. But some sort of industry-standard disclaimer could certainly make us seem more responsible, for one. But I do not think that is the simple answer to our potential legal woes... Obscenity is for a jury to decide, and we will likely see some action on that front in the next 12-24 months. I think the industry can form a self-regulating group, however, in regards to record keeping and ensuring all models are over 18 years of age. Note: this would be IN ADDITION to current 2257 requirements. I think if we take steps to show that we, as a group of businessmen, share the same concerns that all talent are over 18 years of age, it will clearly seperate us from this country's CP problem and ultimately save our business unwanted scrutiny--not to mention the money and resources of the DoJ. I have a few ideas how we could go about this, and rally this business together with an industry standard for record keeping that is beyond what the current law requires. And it would be clear, without any of the vague wording or wishful thinking interpetation of the current laws. I think if we made a more complete system, and offered centrallized access options (in addition to seperate 2257 records), we could streamline the process for the DoJ and show that we are willing to work with them to ensure the future of this business. Under the current approach, if the first few inquiries turn up shoddy record keeping and potential underage models, what do you think that will do for our business? Ultimately, working within our own guidelines--showing the government that we can police ourselves to an extent--would allow us greater control of our destiny. If we were to form an industry group, with a sliding scale annual membership dues structure, we could accomodate companies both large and small. It would only stengthen the core of this business and ensure its future. If everyone ponied up even a fraction of the Visa fee, we could maintain a central database of talent, and an infrastructure that would even impress fans of the Total Information Awareness act--while keeping the information private and only accessible by effected parties and the DoJ. Thoughts?