Sponge Duck Toy Creates Buzz in Tennessee

Oct 13, 11:14 PM (ET)

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (AP) - Katherine Williams says the yellow ducky sponge she
put on sale at a flea market is merely a child's toy. City officials say the
vibrator inside makes it a sex toy.

But officials in this Nashville suburb backed off from citing Williams for
violating the city's sexually oriented business ordinance because she had
already taken down her display by the time police responded to complaints
Saturday. Nearby vendors also refused to be witnesses in the case.

"We've declined to prosecute because of a lack of evidence," City Administrator
Ken York said Tuesday.

Williams, whose Passions & Pleasures business sells lotions and adult novelties
at in-home parties, described her product line as "PG-13" and said she got only
two negative comments at the flea market.

"Nothing we do is nasty, unless you have a nasty mind," she said, turning a knob
on the yellow ducky's tail to make the sponge vibrate. "My 3-year-old son loves
to play with this duck in the bath. He puts it on his neck and on his head."

Williams said she'll be back at the flea market next year.

"If she does, she'll be cited into court," York said. "That duck is a sexual
toy, and it was on display. That was a vibrator on display in public view."

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Woman Keeps License in Duck Toy Dispute

Nov 16, 5:47 PM (ET)

SPRING HILL, Tennessee (AP) - Town officials have restored a woman's business
license weeks after accusing her of trying to sell a sex toy - a vibrating
yellow-ducky sponge - at a flea market.

The Nashville suburb agreed Monday to allow Katherine Williams to keep the
license for her Passions & Pleasures intimate gifts business if she does not
display her wares in public. Williams typically sells her lotions and adult
novelties at home parties.

Town officials had threatened to cite Williams for violating the sexually
oriented business ordinance after she set up a table at the flea market last
month, but they could find no witnesses who would testify to seeing her
display. A week later the town told Williams it was suspending her business
license.

Williams said the vibrating yellow-ducky sponge was a child's toy, and she sued
the town.

"I stood up to them from the beginning, and I think it's a huge moral milestone
for people in my business," she said. "We do have a right to sell these products
to people."