Web Sites Fight Proof-of-Age Rules

The Wall Street Journal reports:

The adult-entertainment industry is embroiled in a legal battle with the federal government over new regulations that many online purveyors fear could put them out of business.

At issue are rules established last year requiring any Web site carrying sexually explicit videos or photographs to maintain records proving that the performers are at least 18 years old. The rules apply whether the Web site owner produced the content or merely republished it. And they were made retroactive, so site operators must maintain records for all content filmed or photographed in the past 10 years. First-time violators face prison sentences of up to five years.

The Justice Department issued the regulations after Congress instructed it to update a 1988 child-protection law applying to filmmakers and magazine photographers. The new concern, the government has said in court filings, is the proliferation of Internet sites promoting content featuring "teens" and "young-looking performers."

This business may move offshore.What's the federal government going to do about that? Anyway,the porn business operates a lot more honestly than government.One is in the coercion business the other is not.