It took a year but British authorities have decided to prohibit a European satellite TV channel from doing business in the United Kingdom. Culture Secretary Chris Smith issued an order that makes it illegal to distribute or sell the decoder cards needed to watch Eurotica Rendez-Vous, a channel owned by companies in Denmark and Luxembourg that operates out of France. It also becomes illegal to advertise for or on the channel. \n "Televised hard core pornography is not acceptable in this country," Smith said. "We must guard against the possibility that children could be exposed to sexually explicit material of this kind." \n Originally, the ban was imposed in July. At the time, the company went to court to challenge the order and its right to challenge was upheld. That gives the company the right to a judicial review of Smith's ban. \n If the judicial review goes in favor of the satellite channel company, the court could find the government acted unlawfully and is liable for damages. Authorities agree, though, that even in that case, damages are likely to be small because of the company's remote chances for eventual financial success. \n Meanwhile, the owners of the company say the ban is unjustified because the satellite transmission is encrypted and can be seen only by adults who buy the decoder card and only late at night. \n The channel has been available to British viewers since August 1997 for a fee of 129 pounds (roughly $200) a year. It is the fourth channel to be banned by the government, joining Red Hot Television, TV Erotica and Satisfaction Club TV. \n The head of the channel, Roger Kinsbourg, told the BBC that the government action will make it more likely that Eurotica Rendez-Vous will be seen by children. Banning the channel just encourages piracy, he said. "This will expose minors even more because broadcasts are not being controlled."
All models were at least 18 years old at the time of their performance. 18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement.
