CANOGA PARK, CA – The Free Speech Coalition filed its expected challenge yesterday to federal record-keeping and labeling requirements defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2257 and associated regulations. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court of Colorado, and also included a motion seeking a Temporary Restraining Order against enforcement of 2257. The move by the Free Speech Coalition starts what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle between the adult entertainment industry and the Department of Justice. The case has been designated Free Speech Coalition v. Alberto Gonzales, # 05 CV 1126 WDM.“The filing of this complaint and motion signals the beginning of the adult entertainment industry’s refusal to bow to unfair practices initiated by oppressive government forces,” said Tom Hymes of the Free Speech Coalition. “It’s starting with 2257, but I expect that there will be a number of battles facing the adult entertainment industry in the coming month and years”
Attorneys involved in the case include the best and brightest defenders of the adult entertainment industry – a kind of “dream team” of First Amendment lawyers. Well respected First Amendment attorneys H. Louis Sirkin, who successfully argued for dismissal of charges in the first round of the Extreme Associates obscenity case, and Paul J. Cambria Jr., long time attorney for Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, are expected to present arguments for the plaintiffs. Michael W. Gross of Colorado-based firm Schwartz & Goldberg PC will join Sirkin and Cambria in arguing for the plaintiffs.
“The U.S. attorney’s office has not yet seen the lawsuit,” said Jeff Dorschner, a government spokesman in Denver. “The government will review the complaint and will respond in due course.”
According to a Free Speech Coalition press release, the organization expects the court to schedule a hearing on the motion for a Temporary Restraining Order before the new 2257 regulations go into effect next week.
