[The Examiner]- Who'd have thunk it?
The porn industry and the chairman of the New York Conservative Party, Michael Long [pictured] are teaming up in opposition to Governor Paterson's proposed "iPod tax."
The Paterson administration wants to expand the state's four percent sales tax to all digital purchases, from music downloads to e-books to movies if the retailer has some kind of presence in New York state. The four percent would also be applied to any subscription service that provides unlimited content for a monthly fee. But the part of the tax that is getting the most media attention, is its applicability to digital and online pornography.
"This is simply bringing the tax code in line with technology," explained Matt Anderson of the state Division of the Budget. "Regardless of whether or not an item is purchased at a brick-and-mortar store or online, it would be treated consistently."
The proposal is drawing ire from the adult entertainment industry.
"With all of the free adult content out there and all of the piracy that the adult industry is dealing with, the last thing any of us need is an additional tax," said Steven Hirsch, co-founder and CEO of Vivid Entertainment Group, an adult film production company that sells videos online and over pay-per-view.. "These are very difficult times and nobody can afford to lose even one customer."
Hirsch has found an unusual ally in Long, known for his attempts to get rid of smut.
"By taxing it you're legitimizing it," he said. "It's absolutely outrageous if they're profiting off of pornography. If they're raising funds, it's encouraging the citizens of the this state to download it."
The tax proposal still needs approval from the state Legislature.
