On Tuesday it was revealed Hogan's "thong-shaped tan line" was visible in the video. Hogan, 62, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was cross-examined by lawyers for New York-based website Gawker. Gawker's lawyers played videos of Hogan doing interviews with celebrity news website TMZ and radio host Howard Stern about the sex tape.
Howard was making me laugh," Hogan said. Hogan said that he was in his Hulk Hogan persona when he did the interviews, and made bawdy jokes in character. Gawker's lawyer also pressed Hogan about whether he asked the interviewers to not raise the issue of the sex tape.
Although the trial has been full of salacious details - an interview on Tuesday mentioned Hogan's "thong-shaped tan line" that was visible in the video - it is also a serious First Amendment case. Gawker sees its post as protected speech under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, and contends it was reporting on a celebrity who publicly discussed his sex life.
Hogan and his lawyers say that Gawker invaded his privacy. If Gawker loses, the media empire could be in serious financial trouble. Gawker says the publication was a legitimate scoop because Hogan had talked openly about his sex life before, in forums such as Howard Stern's radio show. The lawyer for the New York-based website says Gawker has a right to address uncomfortable subjects, reject spin by celebrities and tell the truth.
Gawker's reporter, AJ Daulerio, posted the video to accompany a story about how celebrity sex tapes fascinate the public - while being lacklustre. Mr Berry said Gawker did not make money off the post. Mr Berry also said news of the tape, including screen shots, was on other gossip sites before Gawker published the video.
