In a unanimous vote Sept. 28, the committee approved resolution 2006-X, which could make High Springs one of the few counties in Florida that have successfully prevented new adult companies from setting up shop.

The final vote is now in the hands of City Commissioner Jim Gabriel

City Attorney Jim Pendland told the High Springs Herald that the city has been trying to create an ordinance against adult companies for several decades. The challenge, Pendland said, is in making sure the wording of the ordinance successfully blocks out adult companies while at the same time avoids any infringement on constitutional rights.

The committee has reportedly modeled the ordinance after others counties in Florida that have aimed to accomplish the same ban on adult. If the moratorium passes, it would be in effect just long enough for the city to come up with a permanent rule.

Previous attempts to ban adult companies failed to make the proper submission timeline to the City Commissioner.

“I feel that [the committee] is very close to bringing a recommendation to us,” Gabriel told the local press. “It would be a shame to have an adult entertainment business come in under the wire. I can’t imagine anything that would be more out of character for High Springs.”

In a similar move, Albuquerque, N.M., is considering a ban on adult companies in its downtown area. Earlier this week, the city council reviewed a proposal to place a moratorium on any new adult entertainment businesses opening in its central core.

The zoning law would reenact a ban the city upheld 30 years ago, which over the years became lax. Albuquerque is in the midst of a revitalization plan, and the City Attorney Bob White has stated that adult companies are “inconsistent with that goal.”

Source: XBiz

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google agreed to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion in a stock deal that catapults the search giant to a starring role in online video distribution.

Nineteen-month-old YouTube, which has spawned a handful of imitators in the adult world — Pornotube.com and Porntube.com, for example — combines Google’s global technical infrastructure for serving up advertisements from its advertisers with YouTube’s leading position in serving up videos to users on the web.

San Bruno, Calif.-based YouTube claims surfers view the short videos more than 100 million times daily through its service, and it commanded 46 percent of visits to U.S. online video sites for September. That figure, according to market-research firm Hitwise, compared with a 21 percent share for the video activities of MySpace and 11 percent for Google Video.

The combination of Google and YouTube may make it easier to secure distribution agreements for copyrighted video content, but some legal analysts and industry executives say that YouTube could face copyright suits by some content owners who are already concerned that their copyright video and music is available without their permission.

Google still faces a suit with the Association of American Publishers and the Authors Guild over copyright infringement after it launched Google Books. That suit continues in U.S. District Court.

Source: XBiz

LOS ANGELES — Newly launched consumer portal XFANZ has asked the adult entertainment industry for information that is of interest to fans.

XFANZ, which launched Oct. 2, will now accept press releases, event notifications, video releases, website launches and promotional videos from adult entertainment industry companies looking to market their products directly to consumers.

“This is our official post-launch invitation to the industry to come onboard and get your name, brand and products in front of a global audience,” XFANZ Managing Director Alan Hawkins said. “In its first week of launch, XFANZ has already been visited by 60,000 unique Internet users — now that’s incredible.”

Company Public Relations Director Dusty Marie said XFANZ will help adult entertainment industry companies achieve a competitive edge in the business-to-consumer marketing model.

“The industry is changing rapidly and only the strongest brands will achieve and sustain success,” Marie said. “XFANZ is guaranteed to aid in the global branding of your company.”

Advertising inquiries should be directed to Kristen Kaye at Kristen@xbiz.com.

All other inquiries should be directed to Marie at Dusty@xfanz.com.

Source: XBiz

LOS ANGELES — The Learning Annex in Los Angeles is holding Se-XXX-po 2006 on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While The Learning Annex, a leading producer of seminars, lectures, classes and workshops, has covered topics of a sexual nature before, this is the first slate of events dedicated to sexuality over the course of one day, the Annex’s Program Manager Jessica Cox told XBIZ.

Se-XXX-po 2006 events range from panels to workshops to live demonstrations covering a variety of topics including the corporate sex industry, couples sex tips and advice for adult entertainment newcomers.

“While we have covered sex-related topics previously, this event is specifically something new to attract enthusiasts,” Cox said. “The goal is to gather a lot of people all at once, and give them a slate of activities they can benefit from. Our organization is a learning facility first and foremost. We want to introduce our guests to the sex industry and have them learn something new in a safe, fun and exciting environment.”

Panelists include Stockroom.com CEO Joel Tucker who founded the sex gear and toy company while still in college. Tucker will share his story of building his multimillion-dollar business from humble beginnings.

Other events include the lecture “From Foreplay to Finish: How to Create, Manufacture and Sell Your Adult Product” hosted by Eyal Feldman, founder and CEO of Boy Butter, a sexual lubricant. “Overcome Sexual Shyness and Get What You Want!” will be hosted by 10-year BDSM participant Mistress Melissa and her sub Katie.

A seminar on how to break into the adult entertainment industry will feature speakers including performer and director Diana DeVoe, Paradise Visuals co-owner and director Jason Green, industry veteran Bill Margold and former performer Felix Vicious.

The final event is the workshop and live demonstration “Exotic Photography for Pleasure and Profit.” Lori Mann serves as host for the activity; her work has been published in GQ, FHM and Libido Magazine.

“A lot of the speakers have been involved with us already, but for the Se-XX-po we focused on bringing in innovators and successful entrepreneurs,” Cox said. “We want our attendees to feel like their success is attainable.”

To register for Se-XXX-po 2006, members and nonmembers should call (310) 478-6677, or email registration_la@learningannex.com. The cost to attend is $104.98.

Source: XBiz

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Adult social networking site guru Andrew Conru wants to find out if there is a correlation between driving traffic and driving a Ferrari Modena. The founder of FriendFinder.com will give away his sports car to the webmaster with the biggest increase in new memberships.

The contest covers five sites: FriendFinder.com, AdultFriendFinder, Cams.com, ALT.com and Outpersonals.com. The webmaster who yields the largest increase in free members to the five sites between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31 as compared to the three previous months — May 1 to July 31 — will win the car, which Conru says goes for more than $125,000 on eBay.

“We’ve run contests before but never with a prize as exciting as this one,” Conru said. “I’ve had a wonderful time driving this beautiful car but my schedule is such these days that I rarely get to take it on the road, so what better way to maximize its value than to offer it as a prize for someone who really wants to work for it in a way that can benefit both of our companies.”

The second place winner will receive $10,000 in cash, while the third place winner will get $5,000. Remaining prizes are valued between $1,000 and $2,000.

Details of the contest are available in the affiliate sections of the participating websites.

Source: XBiz

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The first ever Gay Phoenix Forum got off to a busy start Thursday as hundreds of industry professionals traveled to the sprawling desert city for four days of networking, seminars, parties and the ever-popular Cybersocket Awards, which were held last night at the Amsterdam, a popular gay club within walking distance of the downtown hotels.

The unofficial start of the show took place Wednesday night as early-arriving attendees enjoyed the traditional invitation-only dinner held by Epoch and a sponsors dinner held by CCBill. Both were well-attended affairs that helped set the tone for the show: a convergence of high-level players from the gay adult community for business and pleasure.

Thursday saw the arrival of the remainder of attendees, most of whom were staying at the host venue, the Central Phoenix Inn and Suites, with the rest staying at other hotels and resorts close by. The highlights of the day included a welcome barbecue, sponsored by CCBill, DRMNetworks, CCBill EU and CaveCreek Web Hosting, an Epoch get-together at the Wyndham Hotel and, of course, the Cybersocket Awards.

Cybersocket tried something different this year by inviting consumers to the event. According to Cybersocket President Morgan Sommer, CCBill and the host venue, Amsterdam, spent a lot of time and money publicizing the awards locally, and it paid off. The place was packed to the rafters and so crowded during the awards ceremony that movement was all but impossible.

Chi Chi laRue was the hostess extraordinaire, rattling off the nominees and winners like a machine gun, often looking for a zinger to shoot at an audience member or winner.

Among others, XBIZ was the winner of the Best Magazine category. XBIZ President Alec Helmy accepted the award, expressing his appreciation for the award and offering kudos to the XBIZ editorial staff.

"We’re all thrilled about XBIZ World being awarded Magazine of the Year,” Helmy said later. “Thanks to Morgan and Tim of Cybersocket for putting on such a fantastic event."

He added, "Because of its focus on the gay market, this [Gay Phoenix Forum] show offers a unique networking opportunity. The attendance has been very impressive and everyone I have spoken with is really enjoying the show."

The show picks up today with a full slate of seminars, networking events and parties.

Source: XBiz

SAN FRANCISCO — The 27th annual Exotic Erotic Ball, a celebration of flesh, fetish and fantasy, will admit all half-sized adults at half-price.

"This is not some half-baked promotion,” spokesman Henry “Angry Hank” Dorfman said. “It is the result of careful analysis — square footage versus space utilization. And besides, half the time little people walk right in under the turnstiles anyway.”

Over its 27-year history, the Ball has offered various discounts to narcoleptics, multi-millionaires, and people with three nipples, but this marks the first discount offered to smaller-sized adults.

The Exotic Erotic Ball is slated for Oct. 28 at the Cow Palace. Live performers include rapper Too Short.

Source: XBiz