50 Shades of Grey Parody Being Sued

You new it had to happen.  In September, based on a phenomenal fan following, Smash Productions decided to make a parody of the book 50 Shades of Grey by + E.L.James.  Unfortunately for Smash Productions, they did not own the rights to 50 Shades of Grey.  Those rights are owned by Universal Studios.  So quicker than you can say "inner goddess," Universal Studios sued Smash Productions for copyright infringement.


Porn parodies have been around almost as long as pornography has been.  Whatever your favorite genre, porn has found a way to parody it.  Tolkien fan?  There's "Whore of the Rings." Love Kevin Spacey?  How about "American Booty."  "A Tale of Two Titties," is a must-see for any English major.  Even classic movies aren't safe in "Titty, Titty, Bang, Bang."

We could go on.  The gay market nailed it with "Raiders of the Lost Arse" and "Whorry Potter" but "Edward Penishands" just seems a little too easy.  How did all of these movies manage to get away it without being sued?  Simple, other than the titles, the actual movies bear almost no resemblance to the original work.  Sure Whorry Potter is a boy wizard but beyond him creating a little "magic" in the bedroom, there's hardly a muggle in sight.

Parody is defined as a literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule.  The problem with the 50 Shades of Grey is there is no comic effect or ridicule.  Due to the adult nature of the book, Smash Productions lifted everything straight from the original work.  They didn't even bother to change the dialogue.

Take the following as an example:
When an inexperienced college student, Anastasia Steele, meets an extremely wealthy and handsome young business tycoon, Christian Grey, a whirlwind romance encompassing the kinkiest of pleasures soon ensues. Christian, (Ryan Driller) takes the inexperienced virgin Anastasia, (Allie Haze) into a world BDSM roll playing. Anastasia is completely swept up and scared as she has never experienced anything like this. She spent her last four years reading English literature while living vicariously through her outgoing roommate Kate (Alexis Ford). What made her charming prince like this? Was it the training in masochism he received at the hands of an older woman Mrs. Robinson (Julia Anne)? How many shades of the object of her love must she push through to find true love?
This description did not come from the book, it came directly from the box cover.  

While parodies have long been protected by the First Amendment, Universal Studios claims, "By lifting exact dialogue, characters, events, story, and style from the Fifty Shades trilogy, Smash Pictures ensured that the first XXX adaptation was, in fact, as close as possible to the original works," the 31-page complaint states.
"Beginning with the first XXX Adaptation's opening scene and continuing throughout the next 2½ hours of the film, Smash Pictures copies without reservation from the unique expressive elements of the Fifty Shades trilogy, progressing through the events of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' and into the second book, 'Fifty Shades Darker.' The first XXX adaptation is not a parody, and it does not comment on, criticize, or ridicule the originals. It is a rip-off, plain and simple."

Smash was originally going to release a sequel on January 10, 2013, however, that's not likely to happen.  In fact, all remaining copies of Fifty Shades of Grey: a XXX Adaptation have been pulled from the market.  What do you think?  Blatant rip-off or protected speech?  Stay tuned to see what the courts decide.

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Kama Sutra & Fantasy Gifts - A Match Made in Heaven

Fantasy Gifts began back in 1980.  At the time we opened in Minneapolis, MN, stores of our kind simply did not exist.  Back then, the adult market was dominated by bookstores, peepshows and truck stops.  They catered to men and the quick bang.  The idea of a suburban store for women and couples was ground-breaking at the time.

When we first opened, it was difficult to find companies to purchase from.  The market was so man-centric there were very few products geared towards romance.  Of the romantic products available, most were so tame (think candles) that we had problems filling our shelves.

Fantasy Gifts has always had a vision.  To celebrate sexual health and wellness, to cater to all couples regardless of sexuality, to provide a safe and comfortable shopping atmosphere.  Luckily, there was one company on the scene who also shared our vision.

Kama Sutra opened its doors in the 1960s.  Their purpose was passionate but simple - to be the very antithesis of discord by helping lovers create joyful experiences of intimacy. Through the giving and receiving of love, physically and emotionally healthier human beings emerge, and the world reaps the rewards. More than 40 years later, Kama Sutra’s mission is as relevant as ever. 

The company takes its name from the classic 4th century Indian text on lovemaking, the Kama Sutra of Vatsayayana. Kama is the greatly revered Hindu God of Love, while Sutra means narrative, manual or guide. The teachings in the text include the use of oils and fragrances to enchant the senses and intensify sexual pleasure.

While the inspiration for The Kama Sutra Company may be ancient, the intention behind its products is quintessentially modern. The company’s very first product, Kama Sutra's Oil of Love, was a little bottle that would have a giant ripple effect. Still as sought after now as it was when it debuted, Oil of Love was the catalyst for a host of other passion-worthy products that include Pleasure Balm, Honey Dust Body Powders, Massage Creams and Oils, Personal Lubricants, Luxury Bathing Gels and most recently, decadent and intriguing Massage Candles. 

Kama Sutra is dedicated to the well being both of body and spirit. The luxurious formulas are not just for lovemaking, they are designed with the health and the beauty of the skin in mind, and to heighten sensual awareness both in and beyond the bedroom. Elegant textures and irresistible scents are Kama Sutra hallmarks. Kissable flavors make love sweet indeed. 

A feast for the eyes, Kama Sutra packaging boasts richly hued exotic graphics, directly inspired by the illustrations found in the original Kama Sutra. Jewel-like colors and flower-like silhouettes are edged in burnished gold creating a look that is distinctive and timeless. Gift quality cylinders, boxes and reusable metal containers hold handsome flacons, sleek jars and frosted bottles. They’re as appropriate on a vanity top as a bottle of fine perfume or an exquisite piece of jewelry, and rarely stay hidden in drawers.
 
The future is bright for The Kama Sutra Company. The company continues to refine its products and introduce new ones, and to expand its retail presence across numerous channels. While Kama Sutra started in the specialty shops of the 60’s and 70’s and evolved into the “adult” world in the 80’s and 90’s, the brand is now sold internationally in over 50 countries, both in mainstream venues including U.S. military commissaries and major U.S. drug chains, and in adult venues.

Today Fantasy Gifts is proud to carry the Kama Sutra line and today has expanded it to carry the company's body souffle - a delicious, edible massage creme.

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Have you tried glass yet?

You may be thinking ‘Why would I want a glass sex toy? Glass is fragile, right?’ Contrary to popular opinion, glass sex toys can actually withstand extreme conditions and large amounts of pressure. Not only can glass be heated or chilled to your preferences, but glass is a non porous material and is ideal  be sterilized to prevent infection and bacteria.
 Some users prefer them because of their hardness, firmness, durability, the ability to be heated/chilled and low friction, especially when used in conjunction with lubricant. Because they can be heavy, they can be used to exercise vaginal pc muscles.
A glass dildo may be warmed or cooled in water before use to elicit a range of temperature sensations. It may also retain body heat of the user. Because of its polished nonporous surface, it may be sterilized in boiling water, or in a dishwasher.  In most of the cases, glass toys are solid, and made of Pyrex or other types borosilicate glass, although this may vary, depending on the manufacturer. Glass toys may be used to apply firmer pressure than silicone can to a female's g-spot or male's prostate gland. Unlike other types of toys, glass sex toys can also be personalized with inscriptions.
In 2010, Pipedream Products released its Icicles collection which offered fine quality glass at a lower price point.   “Demand for the Icicles Collection has grown by leaps and bounds since it was originally released in 2010," Pipedream CEO Nick Orlandino said. "In less than two years, Pipedream has set a new standard for high-quality erotic glass manufacturing, winning eroFame, AVN and StorErotica awards and becoming the best-selling glass toys brand in the world. We are confident the new shapes and styles will be just as well received as the inaugural collection."
The new Icicles massagers are handcrafted of high-strength borosilicate glass, making them non-porous, hygienic and body safe. The Icicles collection now boasts a total of 38 glass massagers, of which Fantasy Gifts carries approximately 20.

Icicle 39 and 40 are new additions.

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Bullets are a Girl's Best Friend

Vibrating bullets can be a girl's best friend.  At Fantasy Gifts, we are often asked, what's your most powerful bullet.  Well, Cal Exotics’ Crystal High Intensity Bullets are the Buzzz on the Street!  

Being discreet means choosing who to share your most intimate moments with.  It also means you can keep them entirely to yourself.  Thanks to today’s advanced design technique, Cal Exotics brings the power and intimate satisfaction of a full-size vibe to the Crystal High Intensity Bullet line.  With their compact size and whisper-quiet operation, they can be a woman’s secret – or her secret weapon.

Available in regular (3.5 inch) or mini (2.25 inch) sizes, Cal Exotics’ second-generational Crystal High Intensity Bullets and Mini Bullets feature powerful motors and incremental speed control for tailor made performance.  Both sizes of the Crystal High Intensity Bullet are adorned with fine white crystals for an elegant look and feel.  They’re constructed of durable ABS plastic with shiny metallic plating. 

The full size bullet can generate more than eight hours of pleasure from a single AAA battery when operated at low speed.  The Crystal High Intensity Mini Bullet derives its sensation from just three watch-size batteries for the mini and a single AAA for the regular.

Crystal High Intensity Mini Bullets are available at Fantasy Gifts in Marlton and Turnersville, New Jersey.  They are also available online at www.fantasygiftsnj.com.  

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Ways to Improve Your Sex Life

The Huffington Post just came up with ways to improve your sex life and for once, we actually agree with all of them.  Perhaps it's because they didn't rely on one expert, they asked several experts.  Everyone from +Dr. Oz (who I think is into some pretty kinky sh*t) to Deepak Chopra.  Here's what they said:

From Dr. Oz - take a cue from 50 Shades of Grey and incorporate a sex toy into your sex life. Fantasy Gifts offers beginner vibrators all the way to advanced harnesses.  Try something, anything.  You won't regret it.
                    - hey men, lose your belly fat.  Not only is it not sexy but excess belly fat actually converts testosterone into estrogen in men.
                   - let sex improve your longevity.  People who have sex at least once a week live longer.  Period.
From Dr. Laura Berman - synchronize your orgasms.  Speed up, slow down, use a vibrator or a delay creme - whatever works, just learn to work together.  Fantasy Gifts carries a variety of delay cremes and stimulating cremes.
From Dr. Pepper Schwartz - find your body's erogenous zones.  What turns you on?  Maybe you're sensitive behind the ears or too ticklish to want a foot rub.  If you don't know where it is, neither will your pa                                         - explore your man's g-spot.  Don't know where it is?  It's in his prostate.  Fantasy Gifts sells prostate massagers if you are not comfortably going there alone.
From Dr. Sue Johnson - connect emotionally for better sex. The reason 50 Shades of Grey and Bared to You work as novels are because ultimately the couples connected emotionally and honestly.  It takes a lot of trust to do what they did do each other!
From Deepak Chopra - keep sex interesting in your relationship.  Boredom is the kiss of death. Spice it up!  You hope to be with your partner for a long time, might at well keep it exciting!
                                  - do not resist your biological urge to have sex.  Birds do it, bees do it, we all need to do it.  Just admit it and move on.
From Lauren Frances - experiment with bondage.  A little light bondage never hurt anybody and there's something extremely sexy about giving up or maintaining control.  Fantasy Gifts has an entire line from beginner bondage (silk restraints) to advanced (police grade handcuffs).  Nipple clamps, collars, clit clamps, floggers, eye masks, we could go on but we won't.

If you have resolved this year to improve your relationship with your mate, start with your sex life.  You won't regret it!

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Welcome to Fantasy Gifts NJ

Welcome to Fantasy Gifts NJ - the new blog for Fantasy Gifts in New Jersey.  If you are unfamiliar to us, we have two retail stores located in Marlton and Turnersville, New Jersey.  We also have a website located at www.fantasygiftsnj.com. 

For over 30 years now we have specialized in the most up to date and popular sexual health products and gifts such as vibrators, dildos, lubricants, DVD, lingerie, menswear, restraints, shoes, educational materials, massage oils and fun novelties. Whether you are planning an event such as a bachelor or bachelorette party, anniversary or birthday party or simply a romantic evening, find what you are looking for at Fantasy Gifts®.
Fantasy Gifts® has two stores in Southern New Jersey. It is our goal to provide sexual health products in a fun, clean and comfortable shopping environment. Whether you are visiting our stores, shopping online or hosting a home party, you can feel confident that Fantasy Gifts® only presents the best products at the lowest prices.
This blog is intended to provide insight into our business and we welcome insight into your lives as well.  We will be posting sexual health and wellness information so feel free to send us any question, comment or idea to fantasygiftsnj@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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