Steve Sweet Acquitted on All Charges - GoFuckYourself.com

tony286 · 04-26-2004, 04:31 PM

VANCOUVER, B.C ?Steve Sweet, president of Sweet Entertainment Group, was acquitted on all counts of obscenity by a Canadian trail judge last week. Charges stemmed from the distribution of 11 fetish videos that Canadian lawmakers deemed obscene at the time of Sweet's indictment.
Sweet was charged with obscenity on Dec. 6 for combining explicit sex content with violence, torture, and cruelty. He was arrested with three other employees from his company.

Three weeks into the trial, Judge R.R. Low determined based on the advent of the Internet since 1995, that the availability of sexually explicit material has become widespread, mainstream, and requires a certain amount of participatory involvement from the viewer, which in effect would qualify as consensual involvement in the viewing of certain types of explicit or violent content.

The judge also determined that BDSM culture is part of "normal and acceptable adult sexual behavior."

After viewing several examples of fictional work presented by the defense like "American Psycho" and "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer," that depicted similarly violent content as seen in Sweet's 11 videos, the judge determined that "there was little to distinguish the sexual explicit violence portrayed in the fictional materials from the sexual violence portrayed in the 11 videos."

Based on that assessment and expert witnesses, the judge acquitted Sweet on all 20 counts.

However, according to Chicago lawyer J.D. Obenberger, under Canadian laws, acquittals can be appealed, although it is not yet known if the prosecution will continue to pursue the case.

In Obenberger's words, Sweet's attorney, Paul Kent-Snowsell, did an excellent job of presenting the Sweet defense to the Crown by illustrating that BDSM is a no longer a taboo practice in Canada.

"It appears that Paul did a masterful job of putting on a massive and overwhelming case demonstrating conclusively the degree to which bondage, domination, and S&M literature and practice is practiced in a widespread fashion in Canada," Obenberger told XBiz. "Ever single thing he did in the defense is precisely what will be done by America lawyers in similar cases."

Obenberger pointed out specifically that Kent-Snowsell presented clear and convincing evidence of the mainstream acceptance of BDSM and the people, clubs, publications, and content that represent this popular pornography genre and its widespread dissemination over the Internet.

In proving to the Crown that BDSM is infact a far more acceptable form of entertainment than previously thought, Kent-Snowsell did an in-court Google search, showing the judge that more than 100,000 websites are currently dedicated to BDSM.

"All of these things can and should be done in an obscenity defense," said Obenberger, who added that the judge was reportedly shocked by the prevalence and volume of such material. Obenberger was not present at the trial, but he has read all court papers related to the trial.

StuartD · 04-26-2004, 04:32 PM

Get Friday's news today.... only, on GFY

DeanCapture · 04-26-2004, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaskedMan
Get Friday's news today.... only, on GFY

Jimmer · 04-26-2004, 04:48 PM

Oh Canada!

Dirty F · 04-26-2004, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaskedMan
Get Friday's news today.... only, on GFY

Haha

insanesurfer · 04-26-2004, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaskedMan
Get Friday's news today.... only, on GFY

How true is that.

Groove · 04-26-2004, 04:58 PM

Friday's news or not, it is VERY good news!

AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE · 04-26-2004, 05:02 PM

Yeah this win needs more publicity for sure.

Its a great case, and stands to be a landmark case for the future.

Why we celebrate negative events more than positives one I have no idea...
Again more than likely a genetic flaw...

Good Job Steve and crew ya done us all well and certainly some can sleep more soundly till it happens to someone else.

Bansheelinks · 04-26-2004, 05:12 PM

A big victory..........way to go Canada.........now only if we could win a few like that here and rub the Ah-turdy General Asshead's nose in it!

Doctor Dre · 04-26-2004, 05:13 PM

You are one week late man

CDSmith · 04-26-2004, 05:19 PM

Who gives a shit how "late" it is, there are people here who haven't seen this yet who might like to.

Who has the link to the original news story? Post it.

boneprone · 04-26-2004, 05:21 PM

Great news.. This is the first ive heard of it..

Now lets see if the company can rebuilt itself back to the heavy punching (and fisting) company it once was..

This is great news.

KRL · 04-26-2004, 05:21 PM

That's an OUTSTANDING LEGAL Decsion and creates incredibly powerful case law!!!

Wow!!!!!!

The DOJ might be able to fuck with people but at the end of the day I can't see how anything anyone here does could be considered obscene in today's world. Every case they bring is going to go this way in my opinion.

boneprone · 04-26-2004, 05:24 PM

Seems this attorney really was sharp and at the top of his game.

This trial will effect many others to come now.
This is bigger than many of you think.

Other trial attorneys will take note.

boneprone · 04-26-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL
That's an OUTSTANDING LEGAL Decsion and creates incredibly powerful case law!!!

Wow!!!!!!

The DOJ might be able to fuck with people but at the end of the day I can't see how anything anyone here does could be considered obscene in today's world. Every case they bring is going to go this way in my opinion.

My thoughts exactly..

This is pretty big and great news for us all. Even if it is in Canada..

Va2k · 04-26-2004, 05:26 PM

hell yea NICE NICE NICE

Now if usa can think this way we all be doing better

04-26-2004, 05:29 PM

That's a HUGE win, and I'm sure many others in the extreme content market are celebrating as well. EVen though this was in CA, many legal teams in the US will take note. Maybe we can fight back against this right wing mentality afterall.

alias · 04-26-2004, 05:30 PM

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Rankings · 04-26-2004, 05:32 PM

thats nice again

XxShiznaughtxX · 04-26-2004, 05:33 PM

did he get acquitted of spitting in chicks' faces, calling them "dirty little hahahahas" and saying "fuuuuck you" as he nuts in their face?

CDSmith · 04-26-2004, 05:36 PM

Link to the original news article please.

Anyone?

CDSmith · 04-26-2004, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by XxShiznaughtxX
did he get acquitted of spitting in chicks' faces, calling them "dirty little hahahahas" and saying "fuuuuck you" as he nuts in their face?

If the model has no problem with it why should you?

Jman · 04-26-2004, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boneprone
Seems this attorney really was sharp and at the top of his game.

This trial will effect many others to come now.
This is bigger than many of you think.

Other trial attorneys will take note.

You got that one right Boneprone, PK was the one that won Netpond back for Meat. I had the chance to work with both him and Steve.

on making the LAW!!!

maxsweet · 04-26-2004, 06:20 PM

Hey thx!

It was a huge victory for us and for Canadian content producers for sure.

Here's links to our press release and to the judge's 25 page decision:

PRESS RELEASE

JUDGE'S DECISION

Again, we'd like to thank all of those who supported us in this case!

04-26-2004, 04:31 PM	#1
tony286 lurker Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: atlanta Posts: 57,021	Steve Sweet Acquitted on All Charges VANCOUVER, B.C ?Steve Sweet, president of Sweet Entertainment Group, was acquitted on all counts of obscenity by a Canadian trail judge last week. Charges stemmed from the distribution of 11 fetish videos that Canadian lawmakers deemed obscene at the time of Sweet's indictment. Sweet was charged with obscenity on Dec. 6 for combining explicit sex content with violence, torture, and cruelty. He was arrested with three other employees from his company. Three weeks into the trial, Judge R.R. Low determined based on the advent of the Internet since 1995, that the availability of sexually explicit material has become widespread, mainstream, and requires a certain amount of participatory involvement from the viewer, which in effect would qualify as consensual involvement in the viewing of certain types of explicit or violent content. The judge also determined that BDSM culture is part of "normal and acceptable adult sexual behavior." After viewing several examples of fictional work presented by the defense like "American Psycho" and "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer," that depicted similarly violent content as seen in Sweet's 11 videos, the judge determined that "there was little to distinguish the sexual explicit violence portrayed in the fictional materials from the sexual violence portrayed in the 11 videos." Based on that assessment and expert witnesses, the judge acquitted Sweet on all 20 counts. However, according to Chicago lawyer J.D. Obenberger, under Canadian laws, acquittals can be appealed, although it is not yet known if the prosecution will continue to pursue the case. In Obenberger's words, Sweet's attorney, Paul Kent-Snowsell, did an excellent job of presenting the Sweet defense to the Crown by illustrating that BDSM is a no longer a taboo practice in Canada. "It appears that Paul did a masterful job of putting on a massive and overwhelming case demonstrating conclusively the degree to which bondage, domination, and S&M literature and practice is practiced in a widespread fashion in Canada," Obenberger told XBiz. "Ever single thing he did in the defense is precisely what will be done by America lawyers in similar cases." Obenberger pointed out specifically that Kent-Snowsell presented clear and convincing evidence of the mainstream acceptance of BDSM and the people, clubs, publications, and content that represent this popular pornography genre and its widespread dissemination over the Internet. In proving to the Crown that BDSM is infact a far more acceptable form of entertainment than previously thought, Kent-Snowsell did an in-court Google search, showing the judge that more than 100,000 websites are currently dedicated to BDSM. "All of these things can and should be done in an obscenity defense," said Obenberger, who added that the judge was reportedly shocked by the prevalence and volume of such material. Obenberger was not present at the trial, but he has read all court papers related to the trial.

04-26-2004, 04:32 PM	#2
StuartD Sofa King Band Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Outside the box Posts: 29,903	Get Friday's news today.... only, on GFY __________________ This is me on facebook This is me on twitter

04-26-2004, 04:48 PM	#4
Jimmer Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Waterloo Ont Posts: 878	Oh Canada! __________________ 50% off the first 2 months hosting. Email be for a quote [email protected] We can supply up to 8 TB transfer.

04-26-2004, 05:02 PM	#8
AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE best designer on GFY Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IALIEN.COM - High Definition Video and Photographic Productions -ICQ 78943384 Posts: 30,307	Yeah this win needs more publicity for sure. Its a great case, and stands to be a landmark case for the future. Why we celebrate negative events more than positives one I have no idea... Again more than likely a genetic flaw... Good Job Steve and crew ya done us all well and certainly some can sleep more soundly till it happens to someone else. __________________ NAKED HOSTING FTW!11 I'm On The INSANE PLAN $9.95/mo! \| The Alien Blog Adult News Worth Reading Updated Daily \| Content For Sale! 641 PICS 216 MINUTES OF VIDEO $350.00 \|ICQ: 78943384 \|

04-26-2004, 05:19 PM	#11
CDSmith Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: My network is hosted at TECHIEMEDIA.net ...Wait, you meant where am I located at? Oh... okay, I'm in Winnipeg, Canada. Oops. :) Posts: 51,460	Who gives a shit how "late" it is, there are people here who haven't seen this yet who might like to. Who has the link to the original news story? Post it. __________________ *Promote Wildmatch, ImLive, Sexier.com, and more!!* ALWAYS THE HIGHEST PAYOUTS: Big Bux/ImLive SIGNUP ON NOW!!! Put some PUSSYCA$H in your pocket. ICQ me at: 31024634

04-26-2004, 04:58 PM	#7
Groove Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,852	Friday's news or not, it is VERY good news!

04-26-2004, 05:12 PM	#9
Bansheelinks Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,023	A big victory..........way to go Canada.........now only if we could win a few like that here and rub the Ah-turdy General Asshead's nose in it!

04-26-2004, 05:21 PM	#12
boneprone Hall Of Fame Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 34,415	Great news.. This is the first ive heard of it.. Now lets see if the company can rebuilt itself back to the heavy punching (and fisting) company it once was.. This is great news. __________________ Industry Hall Of Fame Legend Mike Jones Bow to the Power - Still BP4L http://gfyawards.com/hall-of-fame Learn about it kids.

04-26-2004, 05:21 PM	#13
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	That's an OUTSTANDING LEGAL Decsion and creates incredibly powerful case law!!! Wow!!!!!! The DOJ might be able to fuck with people but at the end of the day I can't see how anything anyone here does could be considered obscene in today's world. Every case they bring is going to go this way in my opinion. __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

04-26-2004, 05:24 PM	#14
boneprone Hall Of Fame Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 34,415	Seems this attorney really was sharp and at the top of his game. This trial will effect many others to come now. This is bigger than many of you think. Other trial attorneys will take note. __________________ Industry Hall Of Fame Legend Mike Jones Bow to the Power - Still BP4L http://gfyawards.com/hall-of-fame Learn about it kids.

04-26-2004, 05:26 PM	#16
Va2k I’m still alive barley. Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Va Posts: 10,060	hell yea NICE NICE NICE Now if usa can think this way we all be doing better __________________

04-26-2004, 05:29 PM	#17
shermo Guest Posts: n/a	That's a HUGE win, and I'm sure many others in the extreme content market are celebrating as well. EVen though this was in CA, many legal teams in the US will take note. Maybe we can fight back against this right wing mentality afterall.

04-26-2004, 05:30 PM	#18
alias aliasx Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 19,010	sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet __________________ https://porncorporation.com

04-26-2004, 05:32 PM	#19
Rankings Adult SEO Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: A cat with three legs cannot bury shit in a frozen pond. In addition to that, can you cry underwater? Posts: 10,633	thats nice again __________________ Your leader for Adult SEO Services 19+ Years Serving the Adult/SEO Industry ICQ: 610-814 Skype: xratedseo

04-26-2004, 05:33 PM	#20
XxShiznaughtxX Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 408	did he get acquitted of spitting in chicks' faces, calling them "dirty little hahahahas" and saying "fuuuuck you" as he nuts in their face? __________________ Why haven't you given FastSize a try yet? Wm Signup: http://www.fastsize.com/webmasters/?rid=1016 Tour: http://fastsize.com ICQ 21950315

04-26-2004, 05:36 PM	#21
CDSmith Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: My network is hosted at TECHIEMEDIA.net ...Wait, you meant where am I located at? Oh... okay, I'm in Winnipeg, Canada. Oops. :) Posts: 51,460	Link to the original news article please. Anyone? __________________ *Promote Wildmatch, ImLive, Sexier.com, and more!!* ALWAYS THE HIGHEST PAYOUTS: Big Bux/ImLive SIGNUP ON NOW!!! Put some PUSSYCA$H in your pocket. ICQ me at: 31024634

04-26-2004, 06:20 PM	#24
maxsweet Confirmed User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vangroovy Posts: 310	Hey thx! It was a huge victory for us and for Canadian content producers for sure. Here's links to our press release and to the judge's 25 page decision: PRESS RELEASE JUDGE'S DECISION Again, we'd like to thank all of those who supported us in this case! __________________ Sweet Money - 9 Years worth of EXTREME EXCLUSIVE CONTENT Sweet Erotica - Your ONLY source for Pissing and Fisting Video Feeds