Internet 'Voyeur Dorm' Loses Ruling
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The city is cracking down on Voyeur Dorm, a house where young
women are filmed day and night by a battery of live Internet cameras.
The city's Variance Review Board ruled Tuesday that the house is not a home, but
a business in the same category as strip clubs and requires an adult occupational license
to continue its activities.
``These women are basically taking their clothes off for profit,'' review board
member Ana Wallrapp said. Web surfers pay $34 per month to view the site, which
provides images from more than 30 cameras.
The college students receive free room and board, tuition and a stipend in
return for living in the house, but are not required to perform for the cameras.
The Web site says the cameras are all around the house, including the bathroom.
``Nothing is off limits. There are no taboos,'' it says.
One of the women, who identified herself only as Alex, said the arrangement
means her mother doesn't have to pay her college tuition.
``I thought it was a neat concept,'' she said. ``I don't know why people are
making such a big deal out of nothing.'' Voyeur Dorm is a partnership of Dan
Marshlack, owner of the house, and Internet Entertainment Group of Seattle, which runs
numerous Web sex sites. The owners plan to appeal, said their lawyer, Mark Dolan.
Even if the owners lose in court, Dolan said, Voyeur Dorm won't go away. It may
end up in a studio or some other commercial location. More than 5,000 customers nationwide
watch the site, Dolan said.
