coercion , or fraudulent contracts written when people are lied to and / or intoxicated . “ If companies profiting from the ventures and schemes knew or should have known that the videos were created using force , fraud or coercion , or the victims were minors , then they are liable to those victims and survivors who were harmed in the process ,” Phelps said .
About The Mindgeek-Pornhub Lawsuits
Phelps is part of a team at Levin Papantonio Rafferty and works alongside Emmie Paulos , Kathryn Avila , Kim Adams , Chris Tisi , and Hilary Wood . This group forms the firm ’ s Human Trafficking department , which is currently involved in civil litigation against MindGeek , the owner of Pornhub . The MindGeek-Pornhub lawsuits ( Case 7:21-cv-00220-LSC ) claim MindGeek and Pornhub benefit from sexually explicit images and videos of children posted to their websites . Often , these images and videos are later shared across additional platforms .
In February , an Alabama federal judge denied MindGeek ’ s Motion to Dismiss the complaint , which was brought on behalf of two sex trafficking survivors . Lawyers for the Plaintiffs are also seeking injunctive relief for the class members , which would implement measures to prevent the dissemination of CSAM and other harmful content on the website .
Levin Papantonio Rafferty Attorney Kim Adams stated in an LPR press release that she and co-counsel were “ encouraged by the Court ’ s order .
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