The online porn industry is deeply complex and mysterious. It began with domain ownership tactics, which evolved into mastering the new world of search engine optimisation. Then, it moved on to buying up real-world assets such as studios, agencies and productions. The industry is dominated by a duopoly, one of whose companies is based in the Czech Republic. Its French owner, shrouded in secrecy, runs operations worldwide and has become an elusive figure, with strong opinions and the ability to reject buyout offers from his fiercest competitors.
However, his business empire faces grave threats from within and outside the industry. The rise of OnlyFans and its business model for performers has drawn them away from the traditional studio model and reduced web traffic to the company's sites. The company has also faced litigation in both the US and Europe concerning issues ranging from piracy and patent infringement to sex trafficking. With controversial new content and age verification legislation being introduced on both continents, can the empire emerge unscathed? Investigace.cz and VSquare investigated the holdings, litigation and personnel to find out.
Key Findings
- The owner of the company has been running it with his family members, who retained a share in the company profits until quite recently.
- The owner of the company cancelled his residency in the Czech Republic.
- Companies in the conglomerate have avoided making financial filings in the Czech Republic for years and now face scrutiny for this
- How the company came to dominate using controversial tactics in the field of search engine optimisation.
- The company’s reputation in the industry and how it has been affected by accusations of piracy.
- Further lawsuits the company faces include allegations of complicity in sex trafficking and issues regarding content moderation and age verification.
On the right: Illustrative graphics by Lenka Matoušková
