CLEVELAND – Two communities have been dismissed as defendants in a federal court lawsuit challenging Ohio’s law restricting adult clubs.

Judge Solomon Oliver in Cleveland ruled Tuesday in favor of the city of Parma and the village of New London, located north of Ashland. They said the adult businesses challenging the law don’t operate in their cities, so their enforcement efforts aren’t an issue.

The judge refused to dismiss as defendants more than 20 other cities and counties in northern Ohio, including Cleveland, Canton, Elyria, Findlay and Mansfield.

The adult entertainment industry has challenged the law, which bans dancers at adult clubs from touching patrons or each other.

The judge’s ruling on the challenge is pending.