Webmasters received free legal counsel from adult industry attorney Joe Obenberger during the lawyer’s Legal Orientation on Saturday afternoon.
“The American Revolution has never existed on a piece of paper; it’s lived in the hearts and minds of the people,” he told the crowd at the start of the session.
He then proceeded to walk the crowd through topics ranging from an explanation of the obscenity law, community standards, the Child Online Protection Act (COPA), child pornography, the 2257 regulations, what to do in the case of a 2257 inspection, and the types of punishment that adult webmasters could face if convicted of obscenity charges.
Although the attorney spoke in his usual no-nonsense manner during the majority of the two-hour workshop, he did become rather animated toward the end. Quick musical cues (such as “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo”) provided comedic relief as Obenberger touched on, respectively, incest, bestiality, and other sexual acts that make up what he called “the nine circles of dangerous content.” Those included “bukkake, fisting, ‘donkey punching,’ and other things you shouldn’t do on a first date,” as well as necrophilia, toilet sex (including scat and water sports), voyeur or public sex, and other unusual or uncommon fetishes.
The workshop provided sage, practical advice regarding legal matters. Obenberger championed the Free Speech Coalition’s efforts on behalf of the industry and encouraged attendees to support the organization.
Obenberger also offered a bit of perspective to adult webmasters who may think that porn is just about the money. In correlating the production of adult content with the right to free speech, he said, “You may not have high-minded ideals in regards to self expression, but keep in mind that as you make your money, you’re helping to keep a free society.
“The struggle for liberty continues,” he continued, “and the battle will be won in jury deliberations. What it comes down to is convincing [the government] that the American people are tolerant [of adult material].”
