Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Pornhub is in trouble with Italian cheese-makers over this "offensive" ad

“It is not only unpleasant and unacceptable but offensive to the makers of the cheese and their work.”

parmesanad Pornhub Pornhub

PORNHUB HAS BEEN in the news a lot lately.

Earlier this month, the world’s biggest adult website launched its “Premium” service, described as “Netflix for porn”, and began running a series of online ads.

But one of them has provoked the anger of Italian cheese-makers, of all people.

The short ad – designed to promote a “new standard” in pornography, and sell €9.99/month subscriptions – features a couple shopping for food.

In it, the man says:

Why don’t we get this aged Parmiggiano Reggiano? They say it’s the Pornhub Premium of cheese.

Now, the international Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, responsible for protecting the reputation of Italy’s most famous cheese, has responded angrily.

[The ad is] not only unpleasant and unacceptable but offensive to the makers of the cheese and their work.

Italy Food Detectives The Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium storehouse, in Bibbiano, Italy. Associated Press Associated Press

On Thursday, the industry group said it was considering legal action against Pornhub, which boasts 60 million visitors every day, for “using the cheese’s prestigious name” to promote its own “vulgar services.”

By European law, parmigiano-reggiano, or “Parmesan” is a strictly “protected designation of origin” (PDO), similar to champagne.

The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium has asked for the advert to pulled entirely, but on Thursday Pornhub re-published it, this time cheekily adding bleeps to censor the cheese’s name.

(The video does not include any adult content, and is completely SFW).

Contains reporting by AFP.

Read: Pornhub wants you to pay for your porn>

Read: The world’s biggest porn site has told us what age its Irish users are>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
39 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds