Sex and Money don't always Mix

WallStreetSex.com is quickly finding that sex and money don't always mix. Registered with InterNIC in April by Alphabit Media in San Francisco, WallStreetSex.com is a paysite that mixes real-time financial information with erotic chatrooms, adult videos and an online adult novelty store.

No problem, right? Wrong!!

WallStreetSex.com's logo, graphics, design and colors are said to resemble TheStreet.com, a paysite launched in 1996 that focuses on news and commentary about investing. The similarities of the two sites have not gone unnoticed, especially by TheStreet.com. TheStreet.com accuses WallStreetSex.com of stealing their stock ticker & web design. TheStreet.com has sent a "cease and desist" letter to Alphabit Media giving them until Thursday, Sept. 17 to change the design and look of their website. TheStreet.com claims WallStreetSex.com may harm its goodwill and reputation or its distinctive name and service marks by mimicking their site. When contacted, TheStreet.com stated, "The matter has been turned over to our attorneys and we cannot discuss any specifics." \n Alphabit Media confirmed that TheStreet.com sent a "cease and desist" letter on Tuesday, September 15, 1998, but would not comment further except to say that WallStreetSex.com would continue to operate, with or without the current design. They also stated that Alphabit Media does not own WallStreetSex.com, and they would not reveal the true owner of the site. \n TheStreet.com is not the first website to go after another site for copying its design. Many of the growing e-commerce and content sites use their design to distinguish their presence on the net. Sites like Yahoo have feuded with others over its sites' coding and graphic design. A site's code, as well as its "looks, feel and graphics" can be protected from theft, legal experts say. TheStreet.com may or may not have a hard time proving that net users confused their site with WallStreetSex.com. We found the sites are VERY close in looks, colors and design, however, WallStreetSex.com did not have a stock ticker working on the left column at Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. PDT when we visited. AVNonline will update this story when more information is made public.