CANOGA PARK, CA – Thanks in large part to the government’s 2257-related activities, June saw a massive increase in membership applications for the Free Speech Coalition (www.freespeechcoalition.com), the adult industry’s trade organization and primary lobbying resource. Because of this unprecedented wave of paperwork, many applicants are still waiting for word about their membership status. According to the Free Speech Coalition, that wait will soon be over.Currently, half of all new memberships have been processed and notified, with Friday, August 19 set as the target date for an 80-percent rate of completion. All remaining new members are expected to have received confirmation of acceptance by the first of October. Those who provided incomplete or incorrect credit card information will need to make corrections before they can become members, however. Further, any members using the online credit card processor that have not submitted their DBAs should mail them to DBA@freespeechcoalition.com in order to expedite that process.

Although the huge number of applications diverted the FSC staff from its other duties, it still managed to continue working on 2257 litigation and other projects related to fighting oppressive governmental regulation, in addition to membership development. Among those other projects is an improved Members’ Area on the website, which is currently being reworked.

All applicants whose information was received by the June 25, 2005 deadline have been included in the master list provided to the Special Master, as required in the stipulated agreement between the Department of Justice and Free Speech Coalition. Additionally, all members that joined after that date are precluded from being inspected by the Department of Justice, regardless of whether or not their names appear on the master list.