Germany's 'Porno King' gives up empire
Germany's “Porno King” has sold his erotic empire and stepped down. Fabian Thylmann was, until last week, owner of the company that ran sites such as Youporn, Pornhub and MyDirtyHobby, but the reasons for his exit are unclear.
Thylmann quit as boss last week and on Monday, Welt newspaper reported that he was selling his shares – thought to amount to around €73 million.
His company Manwin was under the spotlight a year ago, after questions were raised about Thylmann's managerial methods.
The 35-year-old was also investigated in 2012 for tax evasion, during which time he spent several days in custody, while being questioned. The German court ordered him to pay a seven-figure fine.
US adult industry magazine Xbiz gained access to a letter from Thylmann and his wife addressed to Manwin's staff. In it they express sadness about having to step down, but fail to disclose the exact reason for the departure.
While the online porn world was rocked by Thylmann's exit, business carried on as usual in Berlin this weekend with the annual Venus Erotic Fair. It is the largest of its kind in Europe and displays the latest products from the sex industry.
Industry experts and retailers made their yearly pilgrimage to the capital to check out the products. Around 32,000 people were expected, Tagesspiegel newspaper said, to darken the fair's doors.
CLICK HERE for photos from the Venus Erotic Fair 2013
READ MORE: Court: US porn films 'too primitive' for copyright
The Local/jcw
Follow us on Twitter @thelocalgermany
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Thylmann quit as boss last week and on Monday, Welt newspaper reported that he was selling his shares – thought to amount to around €73 million.
His company Manwin was under the spotlight a year ago, after questions were raised about Thylmann's managerial methods.
The 35-year-old was also investigated in 2012 for tax evasion, during which time he spent several days in custody, while being questioned. The German court ordered him to pay a seven-figure fine.
US adult industry magazine Xbiz gained access to a letter from Thylmann and his wife addressed to Manwin's staff. In it they express sadness about having to step down, but fail to disclose the exact reason for the departure.
While the online porn world was rocked by Thylmann's exit, business carried on as usual in Berlin this weekend with the annual Venus Erotic Fair. It is the largest of its kind in Europe and displays the latest products from the sex industry.
Industry experts and retailers made their yearly pilgrimage to the capital to check out the products. Around 32,000 people were expected, Tagesspiegel newspaper said, to darken the fair's doors.
CLICK HERE for photos from the Venus Erotic Fair 2013
READ MORE: Court: US porn films 'too primitive' for copyright
The Local/jcw
Follow us on Twitter @thelocalgermany
Like The Local Germany on Facebook
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