DamageX

Between ACACIA, 2257, .XXX and the newly proposed porn tax, to name just a few, is there ANY interest group who has ALWAYS spoken up, defended and looked out for the best interests of this industry?

All I see is a bunch of disparate corporations, individual webmasters and whatever other entities, US or non-US, who have nothing better to do than to REACT every time someone throws some shit in their back yard. How about this industry actually starts bonding together, for a change, and starts acting PRO-ACTIVE to benefit its members? The last time I heard someone talk about something like this was when boneprone mentioned a union, about four years ago.

Not looking to stir shit, point fingers or anything, just trying to understand why something like this never got off the ground. Sure, lots of non-US webmasters around, myself among them. And while it's easy to turn a blind eye onto what happens with US legislation, it STILL affects ALL of us, in the long run. So how about some of the industry players start getting together and form an interest group, to lobby Washington for the benefit of this industry? Also, I wouldn't mind if this interest group set up some kind of "task force" to inform the public about online porn and the legitimacy of this business, God knows there's enough misunderstanding and prejudice around as it is...

Thoughts?

__________________

DamageX

Fuck, looks like I should've included [PIC] or [Would you hit it?] in the thread title... For fuck's sake people, please tell me you're not THAT shallow... This is YOUR business, YOUR money we're talking about... Fuckheads...

__________________

Doctor Dre

The reason why this industry get targetted by compagnies like ACACIA is because we are not united.

We are probably THE industry where we work the most together, yet we can't team up together to defend ourselves

__________________

asl

According to me, it would be really difficult to join ourselves as we all come from different countries with specific laws. Can't really see what it would change to be united as US government doesn't care about the non US webbies ;)

__________________
Paysite owners: Submit your site for reviewing and touch a French audience.

DamageX

The problem is that this will divide this industry in US and non-uS. Not saying it's not divided already, but thinking this way will do so even more. The only question is, how unaffected by US laws are non-US webmasters? Let's not forget that the very heart of this business are entities such as VISA and MasterCard, US corporations, which could stop accepting adult transactions if enough incentives (regulations) were offered. Don't fucking kid yourself and stick your head in the sand, thinking that just because you're outside the US they can't fuck you. You don't wanna dare them.

__________________

asl

Look here :

http://thepiratebay.org/legal.php

Every country has its laws and in Belgium, we got no 2257, no ACACIA and no extra taxes on porn. So yes, I don't care about being united but what's the point ?

__________________
Paysite owners: Submit your site for reviewing and touch a French audience.

PussyTeenies

unite the adult industry.. sounds good to me..
as long as we/I have a voice in it .. and dont get the blame/finger pointing or the penalty when something goes awry

__________________
Need adult hosting?

Contact us!
WARM Hosting

Need an IT solution? or someone to check your site and security? Nossie - IT Professional

High Plains Drifter

The online adult industry isn't big enough or wealthy enough to support an interest group.

__________________

DamageX

Let's see how much you care when VISA and MasterCard do an AmEx on you and stop accepting adult transactions. Want me to tell you where you can shove your Belgian laws then?

__________________

DamageX

WRONG

___

__________________

NaughtyRob

Very wrong.

__________________
[email protected]
Skype: 17026955414
Vacares Web Hosting - Protect Your Ass with Included Daily Backups

DamageX

Ah, amost forgot. In Belgium you DO have ACACIA. They own individual patents in a number of European countires and a few general patents at EU level. I'd say that as far as ACACIA is concerned, you can consider yourself fucked.

__________________

DraX

Its not all about laws but common sense friends/partners together. Its all about money. I can work with a guy for 4 years and then I get fucked all over the ass.

I have come to a situation where its the best to have less people to work with, cause you cant trust no one. The more you say the more you get back at ya.

Maybe this sounds very paranoid but this is how i feel about things.

And you people who cant accept that FUCK YOU

This is one of the main things why people arnt united. There are always some greedy ass hat that wants to be better, richer, better looks bla bla

This is not only in the porn business.

Im not 100% fluent in english so maybe i explained myself somewhat wrong but i hope the most understand how i think

__________________
Deposit Today With BTC - Play With Bitcoins

VicD

agreed, i like your thoughts about this

The Sultan Of Smut

Absolutely correct. Since greed can conquer nations and split the atom I can't see it not being an integral part of peddling smut...

I truely wish the adult industry would form a lobby and I will be the first to pony up but it will never happen. I'm way too busy to start it myself and the fact I have zero clout makes it even worse

It's going to take program owners and a few of the larger webmasters to start it as well as make it so that to be in the 'cool club' you have to participate.

DamageX

Set some time aside now and be pro-active, or set some time aside in the future and be reactive. At least NOW you can have a say of YOUR choice.

__________________

Connor

I don't have the time to get into a long discussion tonight, but.... you are aware of the Free Speech Coalition, right?

http://www.freespeechcoalition.com/

If you are interested in getting involved, learning more, whatever, drop me an email at [email protected] and I will try to point you in the right direction.

I completely agree that a united industry is FAR more powerful. I don't believe that this industry will ever be truly united, too many people of different minds... but even if we unite like-minded people who want to make a positive difference, and even if that's only a percentage of the industry, that alone will make a big impact on our ability to defend ourselves from the constant offensives that are levelled at us.

__________________


YNOT v5 IS NOW LIVE! | SEEN YNOT MAIL YET?

DamageX

I am aware of the FSC. The FSC has never actually been a representative for this industry, until the shit hit the fan. I'm advocating PRO-ACTIVE, not REACTIVE action. I'd love to see the FSC stand up for this industry more, but so far, I'm really not impressed, even in light of the latest 2257 proceedings.

__________________

je_rome

that's a very good point.

__________________
Make money on any traffic. Join KlikRevenue.com Today!

RogerV

Juicy gets my vote

aico

I still say we should buy our own fucking island, declare it a new country, hook it up with some bad ass highspeed, and then take over the world...

Just a thought...

DamageX

Thanks for a post as useless as the sig of the one you mentioned. I expected more from you.

__________________

Connor

That's not entirely an inappropriate opinion... I can see how you might feel that way. There was a period of time when I too questioned the FSC's dedication to helping the online industry. I do believe, however, that things have changed. And regarding what you are saying about being proactive rather than reactive, I think you should chat with Michelle, the relatively new Executive Director of the FSC. She feels exactly the same way, as do I. The FSC is the industry's best shot at defending itself, both proactively and reactively.

__________________


YNOT v5 IS NOW LIVE! | SEEN YNOT MAIL YET?

DamageX

Not a bad one at that. Just curious, would you see the worl outside of the USA as an island? 'Cause it sure as hell is a big one.

__________________

aico

point, set, match

DamageX

Great. Then they probably should hire me as a spokesperson, 'cause they sure as hell do a fucking shitty job at informing people about what they're doing. Honest, aside from the latest 2257 thingy, I've NEVER heard of the FSC do ANYTHING for this industry. I think Larry Flynt's done a thing here and there, but the FSC? Sorry, can't think of a single thing.

EDIT: In fact, I think that if the FSC would be smart enough, then they'd ride the waves of their recent success in battling 2257 in order to rally more support for supporting the industry. Thing is, who the fuck represents THEM?

__________________

mrthumbs

maybe theres not much to represent or stand up for.

Just because we have a bad name everywhere doesnt mean (unlike others that have the same title in the media) we dont deserve it.

We are a bunch of moron scamming idiots that need to be controlled.

DamageX

No offense, but that's nothing different from say the oil or the automotive industry. Those are regulated and controlled too. But unlike this one, they're also REPRESENTED. Which means that they actually have a say. Take that, Washington.

__________________

RogerV

Sorry to disappoint you but I gave up on trying to educate people on this board

There are those who know and those who will never get it. I?ve learned

Now I stick to just hit it threads and useless Post

BradM

No one cares, that's why. We all do our own thing.

ListYourPorn

Its all a faze that will go away within 10 years, the issue is the older generation don't understand technology so when they go online they press every thing that flashes and have a 'filth' experience.

This leads to concern as the younger generation are grasping technology which leads them to beleive they are all jerking off. Truth of the matter is the kids do give a fuck about porn, they are prob file sharing and playing games.

When this generation is fully retired then things will change. As for selling porn theres only a handfull of people who make the rest of us just market and marketing is not a bad profession.

__________________

tony286

I think there are a few reasons we dont have unity :
First I think a bunch of the big fish want these things to get rid of a bunch of us. A sever thinning of the herd.
Secondly if it doesnt effect them directly at that moment, they will do nothing.
Thirdly this is a short sighted whore business for the most part, so its all about todays dollars. Someone who will hurt us but makes a side deal with someone. They dont think big picture just ,I benefited fuck the rest of them.
Fourthly people would rather spend money on parties ,big toys than fighting the good fight.

Now lots of small webmasters would rather keep their heads in the sand and expect others to fight for them. The combo of big and small atitudes leads to very few doing anything.

DamageX

I'm sure you'll earn a lot of respect that way.

Do you wanna wait 10-20 years before knowing someone will give a fuck about you? Chances are that regulatory bodies will put you out of business way before anything is done. And when they come for your business, who'll speak up for you?

__________________

ListYourPorn

The same people that stood up and spoke for me when my backside was last against the wall, me. As for what we do its just ecommerce, if you cant sell pussy then I am sure all of us will find other things to sell.

Look at the numbers, the real volume -

I nicked this off a news report -

Visa reported that it had more than 1 billion cards in circulation worldwide, while MasterCard reported that it had more than 590 million cards in circulation worldwide. Also in 2002, Visa reported that more than 1.8 trillion products and services were purchased using its cards, while MasterCard reported more than 13.6 billion transactions involving the use of its cards.

now how much do you think is from the adult biz? Having a guess myself now I would say less then 10%.

Theres a ton of shit you can do online to make money

__________________

DamageX

Not arguing with you there. The strong will always adapt. But that's still reactive and not pro-active. Why face the insecurity of having to find another thing to do, when you can secure doing what you do now?

__________________

Connor

Other than 2257? They helped head off the mandatory condom law in California, and have been lobbying in that state on a regular basis in support of the industry. They brought a case to the Supreme Court and won that stopped the government from charging you with child porn if you had a 30 year-old model in pigtails on your site... I'm being general, the law would have treated the same as child porn any content that "appears to be" a minor even if you could prove it was otherwise. The FSC stopped that law by itself. They just recently hired a federal lobbyist to watch out for the industry in Washington, D.C. -- a first for this industry, as far as I know. So they have done a lot. You're right though, it's a shame more people don't know about all this. I know we do what we can at YNOT to highlight FSC actions as they occur. I can't speak for the other news sites.

BTW, is that your web design site in your footer? Was just checking out your portfolio... you've done some nice work.

__________________


YNOT v5 IS NOW LIVE! | SEEN YNOT MAIL YET?

ListYourPorn

What are you trying to secure?

__________________

Love Sex

I read the first few posts, but a major reason for representation in such a braod industry is simple, its most likely not profitable to those who will do it. If it was or becomes a moneymaker people will jump on it.

DamageX

Too bad they don't have a spokesperson who frequents the boards. During the 2257 rally I can't remember reading a single FSC "official" post anywhere. After all, this industry tends to do a lot of business and get a lot of info on boards.

Thanks, appreciate the good words. Not done by me personally though, just created under my guidance by my in-house staff. I'm no designer, just a stupid marketer.

That no one fucks with my business.

__________________

DamageX

Forgot your medication for the past five years or so? Idiot, don't litter my thread.

__________________

DamageX

Bump for the Friday crowd. :D

__________________