Internet Freebies Whack Porn Biz

The American porn movie biz is not so hot anymore, and the recession isn't the only reason. Porn entrepreneurs say free content on the Internet is horning in on their business, reports the Los Angeles Times. "The opportunities in this industry really are disappearing," said a star of several hard-core porn films. "It's extremely stressful." Revenue for most porn production and distribution companies has dropped as much as 50% since 2007, say insiders.

At least five of the 100 top websites in the US, including YouPorn and RedTube, offer free porn. Some of the content is amateur work and much of it is pirated. "It's the free stuff that's killing us, and that's not going away," said the owner of porn production company Combat Zone. Another industry insider grumbled: "It never crossed our minds we'd be competing with people who just give it away for free." (More porn star stories.)