LOS ANGELES — The second virtual edition of ANME/XBIZ Show kicks off Sunday evening, bridging ANME’s expansive slate of exhibitors with XBIZ Retreat’s signature one-on-one meetings to deliver the biggest virtual event for the adult retail industry.

More than 300 participating buyers from leading retailers and distributors will beam in from all over the world to meet with over 100 marquee and newcomer pleasure brands during a week slated to host well over 4,000 one-on-one meetings and a series of educational and networking events to drive boundless business.

With two discussion panels scheduled daily from July 14-16, ANME/XBIZ’s dual-track program will cover top trends in the pleasure market and examine key strategies for bolstering business success.

“The overwhelmingly strong demand for another collaboration with ANME gave us the push to make vast improvements to the summer edition,” XBIZ Associate Publisher Sara Ramirez said. “Our combined team has been working diligently to not only meet the needs of participants, but to exceed them with the end-goal of delivering boundless business on a global level.”

Visit ANMEXBIZ.com for complete show details.

NEW YORK — BIPOC-AIC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color Adult Industry Collective) has released its “Year One Impact Report and Strategic Plan” covering the group’s past, current and upcoming work on how to address issues of race and racism in a way that would “represent sustainable change for the industry.”

“A year ago, 25 Black, indigenous and people of color in the adult industry came together to draft policies for sustainable change in the adult industry,” Founder Sinnamon Love explained. “Due to COVID-19, our attention swiftly focused on protecting and caring for the most vulnerable sex workers.”

Love thanked supporters for “donating, amplifying and reporting on the vital work of BIPOC-AIC, helping us provide much-needed financial assistance, mental health [support] and educational programming for BIPOC sex workers.”

The report states, according to the directives of the group’s steering committee composed of Love, Jet Setting Jasmine and Fivestar Contrerasm, BIPOC-AIC “delivers services and programs under three pillars: Mutual Aid, Education and Mental Health and Wellness.”

The report in full is available at BIPOC-AIC’s website and will also be presented this afternoon at 3 p.m. (PDT) at the YNOT Summit.

For more information, follow BIPOC-AIC on Twitter.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — MindGeek lawyers presented this week their first on-record Section 230 arguments in the current onslaught of liability lawsuits about third-party content uploaded onto Pornhub, part of the War on Porn-driven campaign that kicked off with Nicholas Kristof’s New York Times article in early December 2020.

Two anonymous women filed a class action suit against MindGeek in Alabama against MindGeek in February, “claiming that videos and images depicting their past sexual abuse were sold or distributed on websites owned and operated by MindGeek,” reported legal news site Law360.

The company urged the Alabama federal judge “to dismiss the proposed class action raised by two female survivors of childhood sex trafficking, arguing that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects the company from their suit since third parties made and posted the sexually explicit videos depicting the women, not Pornhub,” the report continued.

As neutral observers have expected since Exodus Cry, NCOSE and other religiously inspired anti-porn groups began their ongoing campaign to twist existing legislation and precedent in order to make platforms liable for the actions of uploaders (something that, by design, Section 230 was explicitly written to prevent), MindGeek’s lawyers argued that “internet service companies (like defendants) cannot be held liable as the publishers of user-generated content (like the videos of plaintiffs third parties made and uploaded). Thus, because plaintiffs seek to hold defendants liable for content posted to their websites, their claims are proscribed by Section 230.”

“The complaint does not connect any website features to the specific harm plaintiffs allegedly suffered,” the MindGeek lawyers continued. “Moreover, courts have consistently found that the sorts of content management tools plaintiffs point to do not vitiate Section 230 immunity.”

Labeling and Monetization

The company also argued that merely “labeling content to make it easier to find” does not invalidate Section 230 immunity, as they are not the creators of the content.

As for the claim that Pornhub “monetized” illegal videos that might have slipped through their moderation systems — a claim that was at the core of Nicholas Kristof’s December 4 article and that originated in anti-porn propaganda by NCOSE and Exodus cry — the MindGeek lawyers point out that “an allegation that defendants monetized their websites in general does not imply that those advertising revenues were received ‘because of’ trafficking by third parties. Nor do plaintiffs allege that defendants received any benefit whatsoever from their specific videos.”

Law360 also reported that “Reddit asserted a similar Section 230 defense three weeks ago, telling a California federal judge that the statute protects it from a proposed class action accusing the website of actively profiting from child pornography.”

The case is Doe #1 et al. v. MG Freesites LTD et al., case number 7:21-cv-00220, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

LOS ANGELES — The latest scenes from VR Bangers feature Coco Lovelock as a nubile stepdaughter in need of some help and Brandi Love as a lusty, busty Oktoberfest waitress.

In “Give Me A Hand,” Lovelock really wants to become a model. In order to do so, an agency wants her to submit some nude photos of herself, but she is too nervous to be naked in front of a stranger. Her solution is to ask the viewer — in the role of her stepdad — to photograph her; Lovelock is very grateful for your help.

“Being the ‘big daddy’ of a hot young VR starlet is a fantasy that is extremely common among our fans and members,” producer Ivan Harbakon said. “Since we are producing and releasing our new scenes in accordance with the requests of the members of our community, we were more than happy to add this one to our website. This is a fresh take on being a good ‘daddy’ of a hot young vixen; we are sure that all the lovers of this fantasy will appreciate the efforts of VR Bangers and lovely Coco.”

“Beerfest” places the viewer in the middle of Oktoberfest surrounded by waitresses and the beauty specifically serving you is none other than Brandi Love. After you tip her, she treats you like a VIP client and takes you backstage for a reward.

“This is a fantasy that will leave viewers wanting to visit the real Oktoberfest in Germany,” Harbakon said.

“Oktoberfest — or so-called ‘Beerfest’ — is a theme that has never been delivered by VR Bangers until now,” the producer continued. “Since our fans love Brandi, and she was just perfect for this role, we chose her to become our ‘beer girl.’ She and her epic boobs are going to give a whole lot of joy and pleasure to the VR Bangers premium family of viewers. There will be a whole lot of beer and other hot and wet things that should be appreciated by every single subscriber.”

Find “Give Me A Hand” here and “Beerfest” here.

Follow VR Bangers, Coco Lovelock and Brandi Love on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES — Performers Samantha Mack and Misha Montana have inked directing deals with Alt Erotic beginning with “GlamGonz” for Montana and “Lewd, Screwed and Tattooed” for Mack.

“We are revamping the company a bit with more of a woman’s touch. We feel like adding a female perspective to the team is crucial,” CEO and Creative Director Ivan said. “Both ladies are doing the booking and scene prepping as well as directing and helping in the edit bay to create their unique vision.”

“GlamGonz” is described as a four-part series focused on “beautiful, classy porn stars getting completely ravaged in hardcore gonzo scenes,” said Montana.

“I personally love the old-school performers of the ‘80s and ’90s and the raw, passionate style of gonzo mixed with heavy glam. We are currently in production now and I can’t wait to bring the final product,” she said. “I have wanted to add feminine energy to leadership in porn since I first decided to join the industry; it is so important to me that women get representation in such a male-dominated industry. When Ivan and the team approached me to be Chief Brand Officer of Alt Erotic, I was ecstatic. When they asked me to direct some projects for them, I was over the moon. I’ve always wanted to direct and I have so many ideas I’ve wanted to bring to the world.”

Mack’s “Lewd, Screwed and Tattooed,” described as a threeway-themed original feature, is also currently in production.

“It is rare in any genre of the film industry to get an opportunity to have true creative freedom. After MackMovies partnered with Alt Erotic this past fall, I have worked side-by-side with Ivan on multiple projects and learned that with ambition and good old-fashioned elbow grease, nothing is impossible,” she said.

“Alt Erotic is a company that’s known for its wild creativity that pushes the boundaries of porn’s social norms as we’ve come to know them,” Mack noted. “Ivan is extremely generous with his knowledge; through his tutelage and friendship, I now feel like a baby bird being pushed out of the nest. He has fully prepared me to turn my ideas into reality on the silver screen; I’m grateful to get the opportunity to direct, but even more grateful for this incredible crew I get to work with day in and day out.”

Visit AltErotic online and follow the studio, Samantha Mack and Misha Montana on Twitter.

MONTREAL — BranditScan has unveiled its “catfish scanner” tech that utilizes brand name searches combined with facial recognition technology to identify and take down Instagram imposters.

“We wanted creators to kick back and know they are in good hands. They simply need to provide us with a selfie and their brand names when they sign up. The scanner will send over anything that matches their identity,” explained a company rep.

“On a daily basis we would see creators asking fans to report fake accounts on Instagram, at times with little success,” the rep continued. “We just knew there had to be an easier way to automate this for creators so they could easily find and take down catfishes.”

The catfish scanner is among the features available with BranditScan’s $45 Premium Plan.

“Not only can creators send out takedowns for their stolen content, but they can also submit their very own links to BranditScan for any other social platforms,” the rep said. “A creator creates their online brand and presence on more than one platform, and we really believe that now more than ever, creators should have access to protect every aspect of their brand all in one spot, for a price that is affordable,” the rep said.

For additional details, visit BranditScan online and on Twitter and Instagram.

LONDON — Barbie Sins has wrapped her directorial debut for Harmony Films, joining such acclaimed Euro-performers as Anna de Ville and Jasmine Jae who have helmed projects for the studio.

“Barbie has brought to life her vision of XXX hardcore action which includes a spectacular DAP filmed with an exotic, stylish, Arabian nights theme,” a rep enthused. “She has worked tirelessly and passionately to create this exciting new movie; with her extensive film knowledge and professionalism, this is one not to be missed.”

Makeup artist Natalie Rochford enthused, via Twitter, about the results of a recent collaboration with Sins.

Follow Barbie Sins and Harmony Films on Twitter. For additional information, direct inquiries to steven@harmonyfilmsuk.com.

In related news, the studio recently announced the wholesale release of “The Only Way is Swinging,” directed by Trash Meister, and “Insatiable MILFs” directed by Jae.

My favourite make up from this week filming with @harmony_films
Directed by and starring the stunning @barbiesinsxxx her creativity on this movie is unreal?
Make up and hair by me @NatalieR_makeup
Videography/photography @TrashMeister @stevengodfrey5 pic.twitter.com/ykV4T33sTM

— natalie rochford make up artist (@NatalieR_makeup) July 1, 2021

LOS ANGELES — Blake Blossom and Hime Marie mark their debuts for POVR Originals with the erotic VR parody “The Sixxxth Sense.”

“Hime is the hottest ghost hunter in town and this time she thinks she’s got one,” a rep teased. “While setting up for a spooky recording, Hime has more than paranormal investigations on her mind. While she indulges in some dick, Blake appears out of nowhere — gh-gh-gh-ghost! To help settle this sexy haunting, Hime plays her part in helping Blake get off.”

“Is that ectoplasm all over the place or is that jizz?” asked the rep.

The 49-minute scene currently rates 100% among active website members and includes the content tags “Doggy-Style,” “Handjob,” “Sixty-Nine,” “Threesomes” and more.

“Blake and Hime have always been regarded as top performers and for them, we really wanted to do something special,” POVR Managing Director Darrell Rosebush said. “We generally put a lot of work into the pre-production part of the process but this time we had extra opportunity to align with production crews for special effects and other fun elements. Both Hime and Blake did a superb job with this scene and I predict it will become a big fan favorite.”

Click here for additional details about “The Sixxxth Sense” and follow POVR, Hime Marie and Blake Blossom on Twitter.

LAS VEGAS — Performer, artist and entrepreneur Lydia Black will debut a new collection of handmade paddles to her “Slut Witch” BDSM shop Saturday after the previous batch last month quickly sold out.

“Fans can purchase paddles from the same molds as the last drop — a stripper Baphomet or a Grim Reaper with fishnets, or both — but Lydia has changed the color to a dark silver grey, adorned with real bones and paper moths from Moth and Myth,” a rep explained. “She’s also replaced the flowers with foils of skeletons having sex, making them a perfect addition to your bedroom toys.”

Black expressed gratitude for “everyone who purchased a paddle from the last release.”

“This will be my last release before I take vacation, so I wanted to make these special,” she added. “The color and the bones give it a spooky feel, and the paper moths keep the element of nature I love. And this is my first time working with foils in awhile, so I am excited for this style change.”

Find the “Slut Witch” BDSM shop online and on Twitter.

In related news, starting Friday, Black will make her OnlyFans page free to join for new subscribers ahead of a live show Saturday at 5 p.m. (PDT).

Nexxxt Level Talent represents Lydia Black; she will be available for bookings from August 5. Follow her on Twitter and find her premium social media links here.