In January 2013 a new law mandating the compulsory use of condoms on adult film sets, following an outbreak of HIV, went into effect. When the law was passed in November 2012, opponents of the legislation predicted that as a result porn production in LA County would either cease and move elsewhere, or go underground.

Well, 12 months on and it looks like that is what has happened. With only 28 permits for adult films filed in the county this year, in comparison to the 480 filed the year before – a drop of 95 percent – the industry in LA County is suffering. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which penned the law, say condoms ensure workplace safety for the performers and prevent the spread of STDs. However, according to those in the industry, as well as the Free Speech Coalition, people who watch porn don’t want to see condoms. They also contend that STD testing in the porn industry is already good enough.

An estimated 90 percent of all porn movies in the United States are made in LA. The condom law requires the producers responsible for porn movies to get a public health permit once a year but so far only 11 have been issued with any. Whether this means that all the others are continuing to film without the permits is yet to be seen, although porn industry officials insist that this is not the case. Either way, things are not looking good for porn in LA.