Porn firm Hustler fined for not giving actors condoms

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Page last updated at 09:46 GMT, Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Hustler poster

Two porn companies in California have been fined today (31 March 2011) after actors failed to use condoms on set.

Larry Flynt's Hustler and Forsaken Pictures are accused of not protecting performers from exposure to disease.

The porn industry in America, worth billions of dollars, asks its actors to have monthly blood tests but wearing a condom on set isn't mandatory.

Last year an actor tested positive for HIV with several firms shutting down production while it was investigated.

In 2005, it was revealed another porn star with the virus had infected four women he worked with.

Tougher rules surrounding the possible compulsory use of condoms in porn films could be introduced later this year in California.

'Protective equipment'

Hustler faces $14,175 (£8,785) in fines for breaking three rules including failure to provide condoms or other protective equipment.

A California official said the porn firm had "failed to ensure the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as condoms" to protect its employees in the course of producing adult videos.

Larry Flynt A film was made about Larry Flynt's life called The People vs. Larry Flynt

The fines are based on the same section of the state's law that also requires hospitals to provide nurses with protective gear.

It was also accused of failing to maintain written injury and illness policies and for failing to provide workers with vaccines for hepatitis B.

Forsaken Pictures faces fines of $12,150 (£7,530) for similar offences last September.

The two firms were investigated after complaints from the Aids Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit company based in LA that advocates safe sex in pornography.

Larry Flynt, who launched Hustler magazine in 1974, has said in the past that audiences don't want to watch porn in which actors use condoms.

A film was made about his life in 1996 called The People vs. Larry Flynt which starred Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love as his wife Althea and Edward Norton.

Bookmark with

What are these?

Print Sponsor

On Newsbeat today

Top stories

See also

Related links

Most popular stories now

  1. The myth of the eight-hour sleep

  2. How did this man learn 11 languages?

  3. 7 billion people and you: What's your number?

  4. Flaw found in fast neutrino story

  5. Rowling to pen first adult novel

  1. Whitney death photo shocks fans

  2. YouPorn chat site in data breach

  3. Gangs of youths clash with police

  4. Race to the bottom of the ocean: Ocean trench

  5. Facebook photo policy 'leaked'

  6. The myth of the eight-hour sleep

  7. More older staff 'working unpaid'

  8. Bercow 'horror' at fig plant cost

  9. Branson wins porn domain battle

  10. Quiz of the week's news

  1. Play BBC News Channel

  2. Play Putin in a bobsleigh - it's Odd Box

  3. Play Helicopter breaks up on landing

  4. Play Mystery movie job secrets revealed

  5. Play Helicopter brings down power lines

Most popular now, in detail

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2011

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.

TOP NEWS FRONT PAGE STORIES

News feeds | News feeds