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Articles by Lawrence Walters
What Federal Age Verification Could Mean for Adult Websites
Our industry has grappled with a patchwork of confusing and burdensome state age verification laws for the past couple of years. But that landscape could change quickly after the House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757) by a vote of 267-117, marking a significant federal step into this space.
BetonSports Ruling Signals Disaster for Continued Viability of In Re MasterCard and First Amendment Arguments
I. Introduction On May 7, 2007, United States Magistrate Judge Mary Anne Medler rendered a report and recommendation, suggesting that the motions to dismiss filed by David Carruthers and his co-defendants in the BetonSports.com (BoS) prosecution be denied. The parties have 11 days within which to file written objections to the report and recommendation before a final ruling on the motions is considered by the United States District Court Judge assigned to the case.
How to Avoid Copyright Pitfalls When Using Music in Adult Content
When creating an adult video, bringing your vision to life often means assembling just the right ingredients — including the right music. However, adding music to adult content can raise complex legal and ethical issues. In this article, we will explore the relevant legal frameworks governing music use, and provide insights into the challenges and risks adult content creators face when making decisions about music.
What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech
On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country. The Free Speech Coalition, and other petitioners, argued that the law failed to meet the standard of “strict scrutiny” review, which has historically been applied by the courts in online age verification cases.
How the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act Could Impact Adult Businesses
Congress is considering a bill that would change the well-settled definition of obscenity and create extensive new risks for the adult industry. The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, makes a mockery of the First Amendment and should be roundly rejected. But what if it isn’t? Other seemingly unconstitutional laws have been passed in recent years, with mixed results in the courts.
Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform
The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent. Industry standards therefore focus on obtaining and documenting voluntary consent from all participants in a production.
Understanding Visa's New Risk Rules for Age Verification
Visa has recently implemented new rules regarding age verification for certain types of transactions. These rules are designed to enhance security and reduce fraud, particularly for transactions involving age-restricted products or services. Here’s what merchants need to know about these changes. Why Age Verification Matters Complying with Visa’s new age verification rules offers several benefits for merchants, the most important being customer satisfaction.
Goodbye to Noncompete Agreements in the US?
A noncompetition agreement, also known as a noncompete clause or covenant not to compete, is a contract between an employer and an employee, or between two companies. In such an agreement, one party agrees not to enter into a similar profession or trade in competition against the other party, for a specific period of time and within a certain geographical area. These agreements are commonly used to protect a company’s trade secrets, confidential information and client relationships.
The Search for Perfection in Your Payments Page
There has been a lot of talk about changes to cross sales and checkout pages. You have likely noticed that acquirers are now actively pushing back on allowing merchants to offer a negative option, upsell or any cross sales on payment pages. In fact, our U.S. acquirers and many of our EU acquirers are no longer supporting these types of additional sales.
Best Practices for an Efficient Shoot Day
‘Be prepared!” That’s always good advice, but especially on shoot days. When you’re shooting, you want to be able to focus on your performance — not on the hundred little details and complications that can get in your way and negatively impact your productivity or the quality of your clips and content. In the end, there’s no way around it: shooting requires planning ahead. So let’s look at some key things to consider and questions to ask yourself before that camera starts rolling.
Unlocking Revenue Potential With Tiered Pricing
If you’re a creator aiming to monetize your content and expand your online presence, one strategy that can truly revolutionize your business is tiered pricing. Tiered pricing means offering multiple levels of content, each with its own perks and access privileges — and each with different price points, rather than a one-size-fits-all pricing model. Let’s explore how this approach can help you optimize your revenue and offer exceptional value to your audience.
Lumi Ray: Adult Stardom? Yes Chef!
When Instagram controversially started outing adult performers’ legal names whenever they signed up for verification, several of Lumi Ray’s friends texted her, warning that her account was now telling the world she was also known as Lumina Adams.
WIA Profile: Nikki Night
Nikki Night describes herself as “The Fairy Cam Mother” and it would be hard to argue that she has not earned that magical title. Night’s multifaceted adult industry career has spanned content creation, model coaching, developing XXX websites for talent, marketing and even serving as sex toy company Kiiroo’s head of model success and managing the FeelStars roster of talent.
Unpacking the Payment Card Industry's Latest Data Security Standard
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements and guidelines that apply to all businesses that accept credit card payments, and is designed to ensure the security of those transactions. Created in 2004 by Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express, the PCI DSS has evolved over the years to ensure that online sellers have the systems and processes in place to prevent data breaches. The PCI DSS Version 4.0 officially became the new standard on April 1.
Compliance With State Age Verification Laws
During the past year, website operators have faced a slew of new state age verification laws entailing a variety of inconsistent compliance obligations. These laws are likely unconstitutional, based on existing legal precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous federal court decisions over the last 20 years. However, the Fifth Circuit ruled in March, in the case Free Speech Coalition, et al. v. Paxton, that Texas’ age verification law is likely constitutional.
How to Make a Great Jerk-Off Instruction Vid
You just received a request for a JOI video, and now you’re wondering, “How do I even start? Not to mention finish.” First things first: JOI stands for “jerk-off instructions.” Many fans love it when creators provide explicit instructions on self-pleasure, so it’s a frequent request. In a JOI video, the creator guides viewers on the precise steps to take for self-gratification. These instructions are typically highly detailed and explicit, often delivered directly to the camera.
How to Make a Great Jerkoff Instruction Vid
You just received a request for a JOI video, and now you’re wondering, “How do I even start? Not to mention finish.” First things first: JOI stands for “jerk-off instructions.” Many fans love it when creators provide explicit instructions on self-pleasure, so it’s a frequent request. In a JOI video, the creator guides viewers on the precise steps to take for self-gratification. These instructions are typically highly detailed and explicit, often delivered directly to the camera.
New Year, New Tools for Tackling Chargebacks
Happy New Year! Looking back, 2023 saw some important developments for the industry. Visa lowered the limit on surcharging to 3%, AI continued growing fast and Mastercard published an update to its Business Risk Assessment and Mitigation (BRAM) program, affirming that you can’t publish images using someone’s likeness without their consent. Looking ahead, let’s make 2024 a banner year as well, by implementing a stellar gameplan for ensuring compliance and avoiding chargebacks.
Beyond DMCA Takedowns: Exploring Alternative Avenues
Most content creators recognize that inevitably, their content will be leaked on pirate sites, forums and file lockers. The most responsible and successful creators have therefore implemented a strategy to protect their valuable intellectual property, often hiring a DMCA company to send takedown notices to infringing websites and hosts. DMCA service providers can also scan the web for infringing content, making these services a valuable first step in combating piracy.
The Next Frontier in Computing, Storage Is Here
While I typically steer clear of diving too deeply into the technical nitty-gritty, in this month’s column I’m making an exception, because there’s a technological evolution underway that has the potential to fundamentally enhance technical outcomes and, more importantly, grow revenue. This game-changer is Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) storage.
Raising Awareness and Taking Action Against Financial Discrimination
While foes of the adult entertainment industry often focus on “moral” concerns and perpetuate social stigmas, another form of attack can be equally or even more damaging: financial discrimination. Individuals and businesses working in adult entertainment frequently encounter financial hurdles and unfair treatment that affects their economic stability and opportunities.
Next Steps to Take When DMCA Takedowns Fail
Most content creators recognize that inevitably, their content will be leaked on pirate sites, forums and file lockers. The most responsible and successful creators have therefore implemented a strategy to protect their valuable intellectual property, often hiring a DMCA company to send takedown notices to infringing websites and hosts. DMCA service providers can also scan the web for infringing content, making these services a valuable first step in combating piracy.
In Payment Processing, Dishonesty Can Cost You
In a world saturated with misinformation and deceit, knowing the truth is paramount. This is doubly true in finance and banking, where maintaining credibility is essential. Truth will always be your best strategy when dealing with anyone in finance. You can’t deceive your bank or payment processor.
Optimizing Your Hosting Costs
These days, everyone is feeling the pinch of higher prices — including businesses realizing the true cost of cloud hosting. They say ignorance is bliss, but in the case of business owners who don’t even know they’re being taken advantage of, ignorance is just expensive. In this article, I want to share some knowledge that will hopefully equal the power to save you some money.
Processing Compliance for AI-Powered Websites
Love it or fear it, the abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and its game-changing technology continue to grow. In fact, when I sat down to write this column, I clicked on ChatGPT and asked it to write something about AI and the adult industry. The paragraph it generated was actually pretty impressive! But I decided that would be cheating, so this month’s column will just be my own thoughts, per usual. I want to talk specifically about the use of AI as it relates to payment processing.
Q&A: Evie Rees Reigns as Best Female Clip Artist
Evie Rees always felt like a natural exhibitionist, both generally and in a sexual sense. So when she began sharing photos of herself and webcamming, it did not feel like work for her. “It really was just a natural progression from there, because if you’re good at something, why not charge for it?” she says with pluck. My detailed, scenario-based role-plays are always my most requested videos.
Gay Content Tips for Male Creators
I started modeling for adult magazines in 2003. Once they hit the newsstands, calls to shoot videos came in left and right from Randy Blue, Sean Cody, Mighty Men and many other all-male studios. Ultimately I went with Randy Blue. I spoke with Randy and could tell he was a good guy with a big heart. The mid-2000s was the heyday of adult websites, and my gay fan base grew quickly.
The Secrets of a Strong Content Release Strategy
In today’s digital landscape, adult content creators face the sometimes daunting challenge of capturing their audience’s attention and converting that interest into tangible results. Whether you’re an established adult performer, a veteran creator or an aspiring cam model, an effective content release strategy is crucial for driving sales and fostering a loyal fan base.
Harnessing Implied Nudity for Social Media Marketing
Using social media to sell subscriptions to your premium content is neither easy nor simple. Mainstream social media platforms tend to have strict — if not downright archaic — policies regarding what kinds of photos or images you can post. On most of these sites, a nude photo will be immediately taken down at best; at worst, it could get your account deleted. So, how do you sell subscriptions to your nude or explicit content without teasing that content with actual nude photos?
Q&A: Laura Desiree Embraces Compassionate Sensuality
Before Laura Desiree ever ventured into camming, she devoted years to being a hustling and bustling burlesque performer and nightclub entertainer. She performed her striptease act on stages across North America and during multiple solo tours throughout Europe, delivering what she describes as “that vintage bump ’n’ grind.” She also directed a slew of boundary-pushing productions for the Toronto nightclub scene.
Tapping Into the Creator Community for Support
Some people may complain about their co-workers, but having peers around who understand your job and its challenges can create a sense of camaraderie and community. As a content creator, however, you’re often working solo, in your own private space. Whom do you turn to when you’re in a creative rut, or looking for more information about a new platform — or just need someone to listen as you vent your frustration? This is where being part of the creator community comes in handy.
Role-Play Scenarios Popular Among Cam Fans
In the quest to boost earnings, diversifying your shows and bringing something fresh to the table is key — and one popular type of cam show that helps you do both is role-playing. Since any given role-play can include a variety of fetishes and niches, tapping into it can give you cam show ideas for days or even weeks. Some role-plays involve only minor costume changes, while others may require a complete transformation into a different character.
Roleplay Scenarios Popular Among Cam Fans
In the quest to boost earnings, diversifying your shows and bringing something fresh to the table is key — and one popular type of cam show that helps you do both is role-playing. Since any given role-play can include a variety of fetishes and niches, tapping into it can give you cam show ideas for days or even weeks. Some role-plays involve only minor costume changes, while others may require a complete transformation into a different character.
10 Seductive Dance Moves Perfect for Camming
In the art of camming, creating an alluring and captivating experience for viewers is paramount — and when it comes to stimulating and engaging your audience during live shows, few things leave a more lasting and powerful impression than seductive dance moves. Dance has always been an art form that taps into human emotions and desires, combining rhythm with physicality and sensuality.
WIA Profile: Lea Lexis
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. Lea Lexis was an elite gymnast for 10 years in her home country of Romania. Her parents encouraged her to pursue the sport at an early age, perhaps sensing that it would help channel her restless nature, which to this day drives her to seek outlets for her high level of energy.
Justice and Equal Banking for All
July is the month when Americans celebrate our freedoms. Valuing those freedoms also means being vigilant about protecting them. That’s why I recently visited our nation’s capital as part of a Free Speech Coalition (FSC) trip to combat banking discrimination. For the past seven years, I’ve been on the board of FSC and currently serve as its CFO. FSC members were invited to Washington in May after a successful December 2022 Capitol Hill visit.
Increasing Conversions on Your Payment Page
Your payment page is the moment of truth for each person who visits your website. It’s the final chance for them to decide whether they want to remain just a visitor or become a paying customer. It is therefore one of the most critical factors in deciding whether your site and business will be successful. I work with leading merchants on many of the most successful sites.
AI-Generated Adult Content and the Law
In the near future, more and more adult content creators will stumble across realistic reproductions of their image and likeness posted on platforms or sold on membership sites — content never produced or authorized by the creator. In these reproductions, the models may be depicted engaging in activities to which the original creator never would have consented, or speaking words — in their own voice — that they never would have uttered. Can anything be done in these circumstances?
Verifying and Monitoring User-Generated Content
Cam and fan site operators have a responsibility to know their content providers and performers. Accusations of underage or unverified individuals appearing on screen can be highly detrimental to a business. These types of accusations can lead to legal action, termination of merchant processing relationships and being permanently banned from introducing payments to the card networks.
The Crackdown on 'Dirty Money' & What It Means for You
In late March, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced new regulations to take effect January 2024. These rules will require certain types of corporations, limited liability companies and other similar entities registered in the U.S. to report beneficial ownership information.
Q&A: Dani Daniels Delivers a Master Class in Entrepreneurship
Recounting her storied career thus far, Dani Daniels says the short version can be summarized as a journey from “performer” to “entrepreneur.” In between those two words, however, there is a long story — what the past XBIZ Female Performer of the Year calls “the extended version.” It begins with a shy, timid performer who had just entered the industry. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” Daniels admits. “To be honest, I only knew what it was I didn’t want to do.
Q&A: Dani Daniels Delivers a Masterclass in Entrepreneurship
Recounting her storied career thus far, Dani Daniels says the short version can be summarized as a journey from “performer” to “entrepreneur.” In between those two words, however, there is a long story — what she calls “the extended version.” It begins with a shy, timid performer who had just entered the industry. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” Daniels admits. “To be honest, I only knew what it was I didn’t want to do.
Fanwire Streamlines Creator Work With Tech, Services
As an industry veteran and founder of NMG Management, Megan Stokes is no stranger to fast-tracking monetization for brands and creators of all kinds, whether they are big studios or independent talent looking for time-saving strategies and business development insights. Now, with Fanwire, she has created a service that specifically addresses the ever-changing needs of creators on their premium social media sites, especially once scalability becomes a chief concern.
Turn Up the Heat With Extra-Provocative Videos
Nudes have been at the top of the adult content game for a long stretch, but in the sexting hierarchy, there’s another link in the chain: provocative videos. Anyone can snap a quick nude here and there, but making a sexy video takes a little more effort and creativity, and is therefore more highly valued—literally, meaning it deserves a higher price tag. Moreover, users love videos because they offer a more captivating and immersive experience than photos can.
Using YouTube as an NSFW Content Creator
What’s your favorite shampoo? Most likely you always buy your preferred brand, no matter the price or what other new brands might appear. The same thing happens in the content creation world. As a content creator, you are a brand, and you need to position yourself so that customers focus on you — precisely because it’s “you.” That “you” factor goes beyond how sexy you look naked. In fact, it mostly relies on the persona you create for yourself on the internet and the connection you create with fans.
Keep the Marketing Hype Going Full Steam, Nonstop
You’re a social media influencer. Or a model. Or an adult film actress, chef or fitness instructor. You’ve got great content, a huge group of influencer friends, a ton of goods to sell and all the creative tools you could possibly need to be successful. So, why isn’t the cash rolling in? Why are you stuck in the black hole of broke without a sliver of daylight? You hear other influencers talk about how many fans they have or how much money they’re making, and you compare yourself to them.
Using YouTube as a NSFW Content Creator
What’s your favorite shampoo? Most likely you always buy your preferred brand, no matter the price or what other new brands might appear. The same thing happens in the content creation world. As a content creator, you are a brand, and you need to position yourself so that customers focus on you — precisely because it’s “you.” That “you” factor goes beyond how sexy you look naked. In fact, it mostly relies on the persona you create for yourself on the internet and the connection you create with fans.
Q&A: Jack Plus Jill Go Up the Hill of Camming Stardom
Before Jill and Jak Palmer garnered millions of followers and viewers as the streaming and content creation duo known as JackPlusJill — alternatively JackandJill — they pursued Masters degrees, and found themselves indebted to the tune of $100,000. Paying off student loans into their late 30s and 40s was not something they wanted to deal with, especially as new residents of the San Francisco Bay area, where metropolitan life was and is pricey.
Don't Underestimate the Power of Email Marketing
Tired of the stress that comes from losing yet another social media account? Fortunately, there are alternative ways to reach your fans. Even though social media marketing has taken over as the primary way to connect with potential customers, there is another marketing tool that can also be highly effective and yet is often overlooked: email marketing. What Is Email Marketing and Why Should I Give It a Shot?
Effectively Directing Fan Traffic From Social Media
Do you want to grow your fan base on premium social media platforms? Do you want to drive more traffic to your own website? Of course you do! The key is knowing how to leverage other platforms to promote your content. The beauty of social media is that it allows us to reach audiences in different ways and to engage fans who might not otherwise see your content.
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