The video was expected to be released online and in stores today.
Sand’s lawyer, Brooks J. Holcomb, disputes that Vivid Entertainment has the legal right to make the footage commercially available, saying, “the video is private property and was not created or intended for sale or public distribution.”
However, Vivid co-chairman Steven Hirsch has again maintained that Vivid does in fact have a signed release form that grants the company releasing rights.
One of the reasons Vivid is delaying the tape’s release is for a handwriting expert to be brought in to validate Sand’s signature on that form.
“We expected a positive reaction to this movie from both retailers and consumers, but we're pretty overwhelmed by the enthusiasm at this point and we want to release it as soon as possible,” Hirsch said. “I think we'll be able to do so as I still feel confident that all of our papers are in order and we have the right to move ahead with distribution. In an overabundance of caution our lawyers have asked us to delay the release until they have dealt with the claims of Mr. Holcomb and Shauna Sand.”
The video was obtained by a third party who brought it to Vivid.