Legal battle over bigdoggie.net
Florida prosecutors are trying to shut down a Tampa-based website that allows prostitutes and clients to exchange information and set up meetings. "On bigdoggie.net men trade information about finding prostitutes, what services each woman provides and how to avoid getting busted by vice cops. Prostitutes use the site to advertise and exchange e-mails among themselves about customers who pay well, who are kinky and who are vice officers. In June, authorities arrested the owner of the Tampa-based, international Web site and a dozen women accused of using it to advertise their $300 to $700 call girl services."
The owners of bigdoggie.net, which calls itself "the biggest, most respected, Escort Resource site on the net," are fighting the charges on free speech grounds. Their lawyer says: "Web sites tell how to make bombs. Web sites tell how to make methamphetamine. That's the whole nature of the First Amendment. It's the exchange of information." The article continues, "[defense lawyer Larry] Lirot compared bigdoggie.net to High Times magazine. The publication features stories about how to grow marijuana, opinions about legalizing pot and reviews about the quality of marijuana from different countries and states. All of those activities are protected free speech, even though marijuana is illegal, Lirot said." The lead detective on the case doesn't buy the analogy: "High Times doesn't sell [marijuana]. High Times doesn't put pot growers in contact with pot buyers."
A judge had originally ordered the site shut down pending trial, but the owners of bigdoggie.net defied the order and kept the site active. This week, another judge ruled that the site can keep operating for now.
