Kof-K To Sue Israeli Porn Maker for Infringement
TMZ reports,
The producer of an all-Israeli porn flick is under attack from rabbis who say his use of a food-certification symbol ain’t kosher.
Yesterday, Tight Fit Productions of Van Nuys, Calif., the purveyors of “Assraelis,” which was shot entirely in Israel with all-local talent, and in Hebrew (with, uh, English subtitles), received a cease-and-desist order letter from a lawyer representing Rabbi Yehuda Rosenbaum of KOF-K Kosher Certification, a New Jersey company that puts its stamp of approval on Kosher goods. Tight Fit’s DVD-cover claim of Israeli authenticity is accompanied by a Hebrew letter normally reserved for rabbi-ordained meats, grains, and other foodstuffs.
KOF-K’s lawyer says that Tight Fit is using the symbol “illegally” in violation of State and Federal Law, and plans to sue “if the situation is not rectified as quickly as possible.” Oren Cohen, the owner of Tight Fit, finds the action “funny,” but will modify the cover art before the film’s release next week — to satisfy what he calls the “very nice” rabbis.
No word from Cohen, who himself does not observe the Kashrut, on whether, despite their Kosher claims, meat and milk products were mixed during the making of “Assraelis.”
(c/o Jon G.)
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I guess it’s nice that the guy is just going to not use the symbol after all, but wouldn’t this fit in under fair use/parody?
—Julie · January 26th, 2007 at 6:52 am
The new cover art is done
—crammed · January 26th, 2007 at 10:13 am
how did the rabbi know of this cover in the fist place mmmm?
—Johnny Kosher · January 26th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Milk and meat… Hilarious!
—Adam · January 26th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Who does press for Kof-K?
In response to a porn film called assraelis (clever btw) they respond that they plan to sue “if the situation is not *rectified* as quickly as possible.â€
Rectified!? Assraelis?! oops.
—zt · January 26th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Barf. As misogynistic as Israeli humor is I can only imagine how gross the porn would be.
Every state has pretty serious laws about use of a kosher designation. I don’t know that there is a possible parody defense for that kind of labeling. Imagine someone selling pork sausages and calling it kosher as a joke- even if it’s obvious parody it couldn’t be permitted without defeating the whole purpose of the laws.
—Siviyo · January 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Don’t worry about any possibly misogyny: They have a trailer:
www.assraelis.com/trailer-video.html
and from that, I would say this is pretty plain-vanilla porn. The standard male fantasy is not misogyny, but rather that of women willing to have sex at the drop of a hat.
And the flick is in Hebrew! Maybe it has some value in helping teenagers get interested in their Hebrew lessons.
On the other hand, the dialogue is pretty lame: “Ani ohev otakh” while in a situation where one might be saying some more earthy comments. But you can’t accuse the script writers of misogyny. (And the women look like they’re having as much fun as the men.. sure I know it’s all acting, but it’s the message that’s being sent.)
—Conservative apikoris · January 26th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Well, we have now fulfilled the zionist dream of being a “normal” nation. Congrats. Perhaps the Jewish Community will start using this in their hasbara efforts. I mean, its not so far away from sexual zionism.
—Chorus of Apes · January 27th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
c.o.a.: just what i was thinking:
jewish men cornholing jewish women in front of jewish camera men in a jewish nation offending jewish people everywhere?
it’s herzl’s dream!
—Mobius · January 28th, 2007 at 2:43 am
jewish men cornholing jewish women in front of jewish camera men in a jewish nation offending jewish people everywhere?
—Conservative apikoris · January 28th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
My comment seems to have been deleted:
jewish men cornholing jewish women in front of jewish camera men in a jewish nation offending jewish people everywhere?
Just take away the words “Jewish Nation,” and that statement would apply to most of the pron films on the market.
—Conservative apikoris · January 28th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Um…. misogyny isn’t only the overt and explicit hatred of women, with acts of violence, abuse and disparagement. It’s also the de facto abuse of women, even when conducted with an air of acceptence, camaraderie, and mutuality.
Misogyny is constructed powerlessness of women, expressed through limited choices. It’s a set of ideas that includes ‘she asked for it’ as well as ‘it’s her free choice to do this for money’ and even the case where popular culture has women competing for the right to be degraded to win approval and acceptance. (i.e., spring break.)
The women in my life want symbols of empowered female sexuality, including on film, for explicitly erotic purposes. But some degreee of consciousness needs to be present….
That being said, I’m ordering a copy to watch with my primary and secondary lovers.. This needs more study…..
—Jew Guevara · January 29th, 2007 at 2:36 am
I, er, don’t plan to study this issue too carefully….
What can one really say?! Except that there may be more elevated forms of ‘normalcy’ for us to aspire to….
—Eric · January 30th, 2007 at 12:51 am