Steve Javors writes for XBiz:
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Two Ohio men who own online adult retailer MoviesByMail.com have been accused of selling obscene materials via the Internet. In a federal complaint filed June 8 and unsealed today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged the pair with one count each of selling obscene material.
The investigation into Sami and Michael Harb’s online enterprise, MoviesByMail.com, began in August when the FBI’s Adult Obscenity Task Force received a tip that the website was selling alleged obscene DVDs. In March, FBI agents placed an order for "Max Hardcore: Pure Max 18," Max Hardcore: Extreme 12" and Extreme Associates’ "Cocktails 5" and had them shipped to Utah.
Moxie writes on XPT:
I’ve pointed this out several times and it would mean practically every Gonzo produced over the past 10 years is subject to prosecution. This is pretty frightening stuff for adult content producers and Jeff seems to be correct that it is just the tip of the iceberg.
As for Republicans, I have an alternate culprit. Bill Clinton. Clinton did not prosecute any obscenity, leading people to think Gozo would be safe. Obviously, the day was bound to come when some right winger would take office and have an anti porn agenda. Clinton couldn’t be president forever afterall. He seduced producers to make harder gonzo like he seduced Monica to go deeper. At least she had a blue stained dress to show for it.
The Feds received a Tip, the Feds have internet service? Guess Not. Wouldnt this task force go right to the internet? Though by ordering “Cocktails 5” shows they have no taste for quality obscenity.
I have been waiting since the crap gonzo format began to see this happen.
Gonzo has devalued the adult industry.
This will shake out the fleas. Maybe it is time to get back to writing scipts, being creative and actually having some film making abiltiy which most gonzo companies cannot do if their life depended on it and now maybe it does.
As one who misses the 70s and 80s features, trimming gonzo is a good thing. And means better porn and earnings for the survivors. The Feds are like lions in a African savannah, going after the inexperienced, the weak, the sick and the stupid. The days when any moron with a video cam can call himself a pornographer might be over, and thats a good thing.
Hey Joe, I agree with you, but the only problem is, the industry has relied so much on gonzo that most DON’T know how to establish a master shot, or they couldn’t tell you how to do a dolly zoom. The industry gets what it deserves. poor, quality material by poor quality shooters. I will say though that Wicked does TRY to at least make its product more film friendly though.
I’d just like to say that I know Sami and hope that he doesn’t lose everything he’s built. He’s desinged alot of web sites in this industry and it would be nice for a little support and respect be thrown his way. The sad reality in this business is this, everyone’s your dearest buddy….until you need them for something they can’t profit from. Companies in Ohio are reaching to the production and distribution companies to raise $ for their cause…it’ll be interesting to see how many people want to help the Lions Den and GVA’s up there if they’re not supporting their products. It’s supposed to be about violation of rights. None of that matters if these guys aren’t making $ off of them. They just assume to say fuck em…they don’t buy from me. Well, here’s the deal. They may buy from your distributor or one of the production companies you reprsent, therefore they do support your product. Ego’s get bruised when they don’t buy DIRECTLY from you. Guys like Sami and the ones in Ohio are the ones we need to look out for. Max Hardcore just shoots stupid shit. He’s responsible for his probelms. The others however are not so much as responsible but are being singled out by church going Nazis that want to tell us how we can live, what we can watch. etc…etc