Bill Asher and Steven Hirsch are both criminals.

Mike: As you probably know, an individual or entity can’t sue you for something you may write but have not yet written; nor can they prevent you from writing something on the basis that they say it could be harmful to them if you write it, since they don’t know what it is you’re going to write. So, this is bluster – basically a large organization with deep pockets telling you that they’ll make life difficult and expensive if you write something about them. They have lawyers on retainer. You probably don’t.

That said, Vivid is a very visible and public organization, one that advertises itself to the public and has thrust itself into the middle of public issues around pornography, the treatment of performers, STDs, etc. What all of that means is that should you publish something about them that is wrong, even if you’ve double sourced it, they have to prove that you were out to get them regardless of the truth – I’ve never read anything on your site that was maliciously aimed at Vivid or Hirsch – and that they suffered quantifiable financial harm that they can directly tie to your article.

Long way of saying – cross your Ts and dot your I’s.