Court rejects New York City's efforts to restrict sex shops

A court has rejected New York City's efforts to restrict sex shops.

The Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that adult video stores, bookshops and topless dancing are protected by the First Amendment if no more than 40 percent of their offerings contain sexual content. It upheld a 2012 lower court ruling.

A lawyer representing the establishments told The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/1CRIyEL ) "it's all about free speech."

The city's Law Department says it will review the decision.

In an effort to clean up the city, the City Council passed a zoning resolution in 1995 banning erotic cabarets, stores and other establishments within 500 feet of another sex-related business, school or house of worship.

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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com