San Antonio- Local strippers who are used to taking it all off will have to start putting it all back on. The city’s very controversial human display law, three years in the making and riddled with court challenges, formally took effect at midnight this morning.

But even as the law takes effect, the city and the six largest topless clubs may be on a collision course again, over differences in interpretation of the law.

Jim DeeGear, the attorney for the strip clubs, says the law is clear.

“If the nipple and the (area around the nipple) are exposed, you are considered semi nude and covered by this law,” Dee Gear said. “If they are not exposed, it is clear that you are not semi nude and are not covered by the law.”

But assistant City Attorney Martha Sepeda disagrees. She says full tops, and not just ‘pasties’ will be needed to comply with the law. She vows that the city will vigorously enforce the new law and will charge those who violate it.

DeeGear says his clients are committed to following the law.

“They’re unhappy with the way that things have changed, but they have resigned themselves to the fact that they want peace.”

Under the new law, topless performers cannot come within three feet of customers, which prohibits the lucrative activities known as ‘lap’ or ‘table dancing’ which is how the strippers, who pay the clubs to work there, make their money.

The law also specifies that topless or ‘semi nude’ dancers must pay a fee to the city and wear a badge, and also specifies lighting at the clubs, and whether private rooms can be operated.

DeeGear says by putting on pasties, the dancers are no longer ‘semi nude’ and are not covered by the new law. The question will be whether the city agrees.