Internet pornography accounts for 20 percent of the $12.9 million pie of the
adult entertainment industry. Interested viewers purchase memberships to Web
sites catering to their particular niche and these sites are managed by
webmasters like Sheldon Kennedy, freshman computer forensics major.
Kennedy operates at least nine Web sites with images to accommodate various
tastes and preferences.
"In order to make money in the adult business you have to cater your material,"
Kennedy said.
In addition to maintaining content on pages, webmasters are also faced with the
pressure of maintaining legal documentation on their sites as dictated by US
Code, Part I, Chapter 110, Law 2257. 2257 laws pertain to identification of any
and all performers featured on the sites.
"If you want to be in the adult business you have to know the laws inside and
out," Kennedy said.
Not only does Kennedy administrate sites for others, he also has an extensive
personal collection. Currently Kennedy's involvement in the industry is limited
to his Web site management, however he plans greater involvement for his
future.
"I'll get a camera, and go to work," he said. "I used to watch on a daily
basis, then I realized, 'Hey, I can make money off of this.'" Kennedy estimates
that his commissions are between $750 and $800 every month.
However, viewing Kennedy's sites, or any other explicit material in public
libraries will result in removal.
"We always have a few every year," said Ken Kennedy, director of public safety
on a college campus.
Though Sheldon Kennedy's business may not be welcome inside the college
library, the judgment he's received thus far has not phased him.
"I don't go around saying 'Hey, I'm an adult webmaster, how are you?' but I
couldn't really care less what people think about me," he said.
With millions of dollars earned in the industry every year, Kennedy plans to
get at least his share of the pie.
"I can sit at home, look at some porn and make some money." he said, "What
could be better than that?"
