Flava Works

Flava Works, Inc. is an independent American media company focused on gay adult entertainment and related online services. The company was founded in 1999 and is associated with CEO and owner Phillip Bleicher. Its original business developed around CocoBoyz, a website featuring African-American men in erotic photographs and videos. It expanded its portfolio in 2000 with ThugBoy and in 2001 with CocoDorm, a live and interactive webcam concept built around models living together in a dormitory-style residence. The company operates a collection of subscription and content websites, including CocoDorm, PapiCock, ThugBoy, CocoBoyz, and FlavaMen. Its services have included erotic photographs, recorded and live video, webcam programming, and member interaction. ThugsForSex has been described as an online dating and social platform for Black and Latino men, with chat and video-chat functions. Flava Works has also published FlavaMen, a quarterly magazine presenting company models alongside editorial contributions. Flava Works' positioning is rooted in ethnic representation within gay adult media, particularly the presentation of Black and Latino male performers and audiences. The business has also used direct subscription distribution, online live content, physical publishing, and partnerships with other adult-media producers and distributors. Its titles have been made available in Europe through a distribution relationship with XY Studios, while announced North American production or distribution relationships included RocaFellaz Entertainment and Black Rayne Productions. The company's history has included disputes concerning the health and working conditions of models, the operation of its CocoDorm residence, and the application of local zoning law to internet-based adult entertainment. A 2007 Miami zoning controversy led to litigation over whether a residence used to house performers constituted an adult entertainment business or another kind of business operation. Although a federal district court ruled for Flava Works in 2009 on First Amendment and cyberspace-related grounds, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed the result in 2010, holding that the relevant issue was the operation of a business in a residential zone. Flava Works also became involved in a significant copyright dispute concerning the video-sharing and bookmarking service myVidster. In Flava Works, Inc. v. Gunter, the company sought relief over alleged copyright and trademark infringement. A preliminary injunction initially favored Flava Works, but the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed that ruling in 2012. The case is frequently discussed in connection with the limits of intermediary liability and the safe-harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The company has remained privately held, and publicly available reference material does not establish its current revenue, employee count, market share, or complete present-day website portfolio. Its documented public identity is that of a specialized adult-media producer and digital publisher serving gay audiences, with a particular emphasis on Black and Latino men.

Flava Works was established in 1999 as an independent media company serving gay audiences, with a particular focus on Black and Latino men. Its initial online property was CocoBoyz, which presented erotic photographs and videos of African-American men. The company expanded its digital portfolio in 2000 through ThugBoy and added CocoDorm in 2001. CocoDorm developed into a live, interactive webcam operation in which performers lived together in a dormitory-style setting and appeared in live or recorded programming. During the 2000s, Flava Works broadened its activities beyond individual websites. Its portfolio came to include PapiCock and FlavaMen, while ThugsForSex provided an online dating and social environment with chat and video-chat features. FlavaMen also operated as a quarterly magazine featuring models and editorial material. The company used online subscriptions and digital distribution as central parts of its business, while also making titles available through external distribution relationships. European distribution was associated with XY Studios. In 2009, the company announced partnerships with RocaFellaz Entertainment and Black Rayne Productions. The company relocated its operations to Miami, Florida, in 2006 and retained a satellite office in Chicago. That year, controversy arose after a Chicago public-health report was described as alleging high levels of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, among CocoDorm models and suggesting that some performers engaged in unprotected sex. Flava Works denied the allegations. The matter formed part of broader public scrutiny of the company's production practices and model welfare. A separate dispute centered on the Miami residence used in connection with CocoDorm. In May 2007, NBC 6 broadcast an investigation called The House Next Door after anonymous material about the residence was sent to neighbors and zoning authorities. Miami code-enforcement officials issued citations alleging an illegal rooming house, unauthorized adult entertainment in a C-1 zone, property-maintenance violations, and illegal business activity in a residential area. Flava Works disputed the allegations, arguing that models were not charged rent, that the residence was not an adult-entertainment venue, and that business and server operations occurred elsewhere. In August 2007, after several contentious public meetings, Miami's Code Enforcement Board ruled that Flava Works was illegally operating an adult entertainment business from a single-family home and ordered the activity to cease. Flava Works sued the City of Miami, asserting First Amendment rights and arguing that its public offering occurred online rather than at the residence. In January 2009, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled for Flava Works. The court relied in part on reasoning from litigation involving Voyeur Dorm and concluded that the online distribution of images did not make the residence itself the location where adult entertainment was offered to the public. The Eleventh Circuit reversed in June 2010. It distinguished the Voyeur Dorm precedent and held that the relevant Miami ordinance prohibited business operations in the residential zone, regardless of whether the operation met the legal definition of an adult entertainment establishment. The case illustrates the difficulty of applying geographically based zoning rules to internet businesses using physical locations for production. Flava Works was also the plaintiff in Flava Works, Inc. v. Gunter, a copyright and trademark case involving myVidster.com. The company alleged that the service facilitated infringement involving its videos. A preliminary injunction initially favored Flava Works, but the Seventh Circuit reversed that ruling on August 2, 2012. The litigation became a notable discussion of online copyright enforcement, linking, and the scope of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's safe-harbor provisions. In 2009, Flava Works announced the FlavaMen Blatino Awards, intended to recognize performers, websites, and ethnic clubs. The company was nominated for the 2010 XBIZ Gay Studio of the Year award. Public reference material identifies Phillip Bleicher as the company's owner and chief executive, but does not provide reliable current information about revenue, workforce, corporate structure, or the full status of each historical website.

• 2012

  Seventh Circuit reverses myVidster injunction

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  The appeals court reverses the preliminary injunction obtained by Flava Works in its copyright case against myVidster's operator.

• 2010

  Eleventh Circuit reverses zoning judgment

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  The appeals court determines that the residence was involved in a business operation prohibited by Miami's residential zoning rules.

• 2009

  District court rules for Flava Works

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  A federal court finds that the online public offering of CocoDorm content occurs in cyberspace rather than at the residence for purposes of the challenged zoning rule.

• 2009

  FlavaMen Blatino Awards are announced

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Flava Works announces an awards program for performers, websites, and ethnic clubs.

• 2007

  Miami code-enforcement dispute begins

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  The CocoDorm residence becomes the subject of an NBC investigation, municipal citations, and a zoning-enforcement proceeding.

• 2006

  Operations move to Miami

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Flava Works relocates its main operations to Miami while retaining a Chicago satellite office.

• 2001

  CocoDorm is created

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  The company introduces the CocoDorm live and interactive residence concept.

• 2000

  ThugBoy is launched

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Flava Works expands its online portfolio with the ThugBoy property.

• 1999

  Flava Works is founded

  [1]Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org

  The independent company begins producing and distributing gay adult media focused on Black and Latino men.

A niche gay adult-media company emphasizing Black and Latino male representation, direct online subscriptions, live webcam entertainment, and related social and publishing services.

• Adult website and video-photo brand · 1999

  CocoBoyz

  Flava Works' original online property, launched around the company's founding. It showcased erotic photographs and videos featuring African-American men and established the ethnic and audience focus that remained associated with the company.

• Adult website and video brand · 2000

  ThugBoy

  An online adult-media property added to the Flava Works portfolio in 2000. Public reference material identifies it as one of the company's principal websites but does not provide dependable current information about its operating status.

• Live webcam and adult-media service · 2001

  CocoDorm

  A live and interactive residence concept created in 2001. Models were hired to live together in a dormitory-style setting and appear in live and recorded online programming. CocoDorm became the center of health, labor, media, and zoning controversies involving Flava Works.

• Adult website

  PapiCock

  One of the adult websites identified as part of Flava Works' online portfolio. The available reference material does not provide enough detail to describe its specific programming or current availability.

• Adult website and magazine

  FlavaMen

  A Flava Works media property associated with online adult content and a quarterly magazine. The magazine featured company models and editorial contributions from writers.

• Online dating and social platform

  ThugsForSex

  An online dating portal aimed at Black and Latino men. Its documented features included member chat rooms and video-chat capabilities, extending Flava Works' activities beyond content publishing.

• 2007

  The House Next Door controversy

  An NBC 6 investigation and subsequent Miami enforcement proceedings focused on the CocoDorm residence, its effect on a residential neighborhood, and whether adult-media business activity was being conducted there.

  Source

• 2006

  CocoDorm health and safe-sex allegations

  A report attributed to the Chicago Department of Public Health was described as alleging high levels of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, among CocoDorm models and alleging unprotected sex. Flava Works denied the accusations.

  Source

Read more

• 2009FlavaMen Blatino Awards

  United States

  Flava Works announced an awards program designed to recognize ethnic clubs, adult performers, and websites in multiple categories.

  Outcome. The available reference material confirms the announcement but does not document the complete award history or long-term continuation.

  Source

• 2010

  Copyright and trademark lawsuit against myVidsterOther

  Background

  Flava Works alleged that myVidster.com, operated by defendant Richard Gunter, was connected with copyright and trademark infringement involving its content.

  Action taken

  The company filed suit and obtained a preliminary injunction at an earlier stage of the litigation.

  Aftermath

  The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed the preliminary injunction on August 2, 2012. The case became a reference point in debates over copyright enforcement and DMCA safe-harbor boundaries.

  Source

• 2009

  Production and distribution partnership with RocaFellaz EntertainmentStrategy

  Background

  Flava Works sought to broaden production and distribution relationships within the adult-media sector.

  Action taken

  The company announced a production and distribution partnership with RocaFellaz Entertainment.

  Source

• 2009

  Distribution partnership with Black Rayne ProductionsStrategy

  Background

  Flava Works continued to develop external distribution arrangements for its content.

  Action taken

  The company announced a distribution partnership with Black Rayne Productions.

  Source

• 2009

  Federal litigation over CocoDorm zoningOther

  Background

  Miami authorities had ruled that the CocoDorm residence was being used for prohibited business or adult-entertainment activity in a residential zone.

  Action taken

  Flava Works challenged the enforcement action in federal court, invoking First Amendment rights and arguing that the public offering occurred online rather than at the residence.

  Aftermath

  The district court ruled for Flava Works in 2009, but the Eleventh Circuit reversed in 2010, holding that the residence was involved in a business operation barred by the zoning rules.

  Source

• 2006

  Relocation of main operations to MiamiStrategy

  Background

  Flava Works maintained operations in Chicago during its earlier period and then shifted its main base to Miami.

  Action taken

  The company moved its primary operations to Miami while retaining a satellite office in Chicago.

  Aftermath

  The Miami base became central to the later CocoDorm residence and zoning dispute.

  Source

1. 1Flava Worksen.wikipedia.org