US porn film makers sue over LA condom law

LOS ANGELES - Agence France-Presse

AFP Photo

US porn filmmakers sued Los Angeles County on Friday over a new law requiring adult movie actors to wear condoms on set, arguing that it is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court by porn giant Vivid Entertainment, Califa Productions and actors Kayden Kross and Logan Pierce against so-called Measure B, voted into force in November.

They claim the porn film industry already regulates itself sufficiently to protect actors against AIDS/HIV and other diseases. It also violates the First Amendment right to free expression, they say.

"Overturning this law is something I feel very passionate about," said Steven Hirsch, founder of LA-based Vivid Entertainment. "I believe the industry's current testing system works well."

Since 2004 over 300,000 explicit scenes have been filmed with no transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus.
"Measure B will have vast unintended consequences which may undermine industry efforts to protect the health of our actors and actresses," said Hirsch, claiming it will drive production abroad where there is no protection.

California porn film makers were forced to suspend production temporarily in 2011 after an actor tested positive for HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, in the latest such disruption to the multi-billion-dollar industry.

The industry is primarily based in the San Fernando Valley north of LA.

Film LA Inc., which issues permits for film companies shooting in and around the West Coast city, says about five percent of the 45,500 permit days the agency issues per year are for pornographic film shoots.