East Coast Video Show

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Presented by Jon Katz

The First Amendment is the sword and shield for your right to sell and rent adult entertainment products to the public. It is your right to sell legally-protected products, your right to challenge unfair legislation and unfair prosecutions, and your right to proudly proclaim that you are running a legitimate business that contributes jobs and tax dollars to the economy and community.

- The Ashcroft Justice Department, like the Reno Justice Department, is focusing on child pornography prosecutions more than on obscenity prosecutions.

- Watch out for state-level obscenity prosecutions, and for any adverse shift in the federal  focus on obscenity prosecutions.

- Assure that all depictions of sexually explicit conduct; on video and DVD boxes, magazines, and all other materials have a proper 18 U.S.C. § 2257 label confirming that all persons are over 18 years old.

- Watch out for Ashcroft, et al. v. Free Speech Coalition, et al., to be argued before the Supreme Court October 30, 2001. The Supreme Court will decide whether to invalidate the federal statute outlawing virtual child pornography, where the image only looks like a child, but is not a child. [UPDATE: First Amendment wins in Aschcroft  v. Free Speech Coalition, et al. ]

ZONING

- This year, the Supreme Court again considers adult entertainment and secondary effects. In  Alameda Books, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, the United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit) struck down a city statute prohibiting an adult video store from also providing a place for viewing adult movies. The case will be argued on December 4, 2001. 

- Assure that you and your employees know your rights before the police come knocking at -- or breaking down -- your door.

- You never have to talk to the police, and your silence generally can't be held against you in a court of law.

- A search warrant does not mean you have to help the police find what they're looking for.

- When the police come for you or your business, call a qualified lawyer immediately.

- There is truly strength in numbers. Band together with other members of the adult entertainment industry. Join VSDA; join the Free Speech Coalition nationally and at the state level.

- Monitor zoning, criminal, and other proposed legislation that will affect your business. Pounce while the legislation is pending; don't wait for the legislation to be passed.

- Lobbying is a year-round endeavor. Get to know your lawmakers and political leaders now, so they'll know you as a familiar name and face when you need their ear.

- Get your customers on board. Politicians will often listen more closely to an ordinary individual constituent than to a business or trade association.

- Be active in local affairs, including the local chamber of commerce, local charities, and sponsorship of Little League and other youth activities.

- Keep a pleasant interior and exterior to your store, with at least a minimum investment in appealing signs, paint, carpet, and plants.

- Nobody under 18 gets into your adult section.

- Take the time to hire and train qualified employees. If you have employees under 18 years old, they should not have any access or exposure to adult material.

MOST IMPORTANT: Succeed, prosper, and fend off the censors.

View with Windows Media Player. Rebroadcast courtesy Fox News.

Thanks to FlexYourRights for producing the following Busted video. 

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