It was only a matter of time, but Amanda Knox has already gotten her first offer from a porn company -- but there's a HUGE twist ... because this deal offers CASH without having to show ASS.  

Vivid Entertainment honcho Steve Hirsch tells TMZ, "We would like to offer her the opportunity to be our vivid.com spokesperson and represent the studio at trade and retail events."

He adds, "This would involve no nudity or sex.  Of course we would welcome talking to her if she wants to pursue this direction, but the decision is totally hers to express."

So far, we're told Hirsch is still waiting for a response.

The mystery buyer gunning for Kim Kardashian's sex tape came up short where it matters most ... in the wallet ... because Vivid Entertainment has officially REJECTED his $20 million offer to take the tape off the market.

Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch tells us, "We were offered $20 million for the Kim tape but have decided that we are going to hang on to it ... for now."

He adds, "Although the offer that we ultimately received was substantial, when I realized that it wasn’t Kim it became less appealing. Kim is a superstar and if it were to be sold, it should be to her."

Kim Kardashian is NOT the mystery buyer trying to yank her infamous sex tape off the market -- this according to Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch, the man who currently owns the tape.

Hirsch tells TMZ, he still doesn't know who the mystery buyer is -- but a rep for the interested party insists ... it ain't Kim ... or anyone even remotely associated with Kim.

Steve tells us, "It made sense the entire time it would be Kim, but it appears it’s not.”

According to Steve, the buyer will reveal his identity if the deal gets done -- and explain once and for all why he/she wants to pull the tape from the market.

Steve says he met with the buyer's rep several times in the last week -- but the buyer's still several million dollars short of Hirsch's $30 million asking price.

A source close to Kim tells us, Kim NEVER had anything to do with the deal -- but she’s very curious about who's behind it ... and why someone she doesn't know would want to do her such a huge favor.

With the possibility looming that the Kim Kardashian sex tape could be shelved for good, a porn website has come forward with a plan to do the exact opposite — they want to buy the rights to the tape and put it online … for free!!!

As TMZ first reported, a mystery buyer has approached Vivid Entertainment (which owns the rights to the tape) in an effort to buy it and remove it completely from the market.

But now Pornhub.com, which bills itself as the largest adult website on the planet, wants in on the action. In a letter to Vivid head man Steven Hirsch, the site says they are willing to offer $5 million for the tape ... considerably less than the $30 million Hirsch is asking for.

The site -- which is 100% free -- says they "respectfully disagree" with Hirsch's value of the tape, stating they feel the DVD market is "dying" and online is where it's at.

No word yet on whether Hirsch would consider the offer.

Ray J thinks it's a fabulous idea for Vivid Entertainment to sell the rights to "Kim K Superstar" ... so long as he gets a big piece of the action.
 
TMZ broke the story ... an undisclosed private party has offered to buy all rights to the XXX flick from Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch -- which he told TMZ is worth at least $30 million.  The buyer indicated he (though we're guessing it's a she) wanted to take the video off the market.

TMZ has obtained a letter from Ray J's lawyer to Hirsch, in which the attorney makes it clear ... Ray J has partial copyright ownership in the video and "any attempts to transfer the copyright outside of these parameters will result in filing a motion with the courts to seek an injunction of any sale until Ray J's rights are protected." Translation -- he wants some serious cash.

The letter also says the video has been a pain in the ass for Ray J:  "... my client rarely has a conversation with industry professionals where the Tape has not been mentioned or questioned ... no amount of money can relieve him from this nightmare."  The lawyer didn't mention how much money Ray J has already made from the video.

As for Kim's financial interest in the tape ... no one is talking, but the video has made untold millions, and Kim is a smart businesswoman. We're just sayin'...

Kim Kardashian's husband is well aware of his wife's XXX past ... but sources close to Kris Humphries tell us, "He could care less about the sex tape."

In fact, we're told Kris truly had "no idea" who Ray J was when Kim's sex tape partner sat next to the NBA star on a recent flight from L.A. to New Orleans.

But after a few hours on the plane, Ray J finally approached Kris and said, "Come on, You know who I am ... I just want to say congratulations." Kris reportedly replied, "Oh yeah, yeah I know who you are."

Sources close to Humphries tell us, "Kris really didn't know who he was" ... but once Ray J reminded him, it didn't matter to him because Kris is simply not bothered by Kim and Ray J's previous relationship.

Sources tell us, "Kris feels that Kim's past doesn't affect her present or future ... he just doesn't care."

Ray J -- the other person featured in the Kim Kardashian sex tape -- says he "absolutely" wants the footage off the market ... but claims it's worth WAY MORE than $30 million.

As TMZ first reported, a mystery buyer has contacted Vivid Entertainment looking to purchase the rights to the tape so they can make it go away forever.

But when Ray J was leaving Boa Steakhouse in Hollywood last night -- the singer told us he had no idea who was behind the attempted purchase ... only saying, "they better come up with something right ... let's get it over with!"

The mystery buyer looking to purchase Kim Kardashian's sex tape needs to muster up at least $30 million if they want a CHANCE at taking it off the market ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with Vivid Entertainment top banana Steve Hirsch ... who tells us he HAS made contact with the lawyer who's representing the mystery party interested in buying the rights to the sex tape ... and he's open to the possibility of a deal.

Hirsch tells us ... "Based on its long term value, it looks like $30 million would be a starting point for a discussion on all of the rights."

Hirsch adds, "I have no idea who is behind this offer ... but If it's Kim, I have a tremendous amount of respect for her. She has my number and can call me any time."

Someone is looking to buy the rights to the Kim Kardashian sex tape from Vivid Entertainment ... claiming they're willing to pay big bucks to "completely remove it from the market."

TMZ has learned the mystery buyer has hired a lawyer in Tennessee -- who fired off a letter to Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch yesterday which reads, "I was approached by a private party who has asked us about looking into the possibility of acquiring all rights of the Vivid, 'Kim Kardashian Sex Tape.'"

The lawyer adds, "The party we represent does not intend to distribute or broadcast the 'tape,' but hopes to completely remove it from the market."

The buyer also wants to purchase all of the raw, unused footage (sex tape outtakes) that never made it to the DVD.

The lawyer never identifies his client -- but leaves a giant hint ... writing, "We would purchase any other footage you may have control of that involves Ms. Kardashian."

The lawyer NEVER mentions the other person in the tape -- Ray J.

Sources close to Kim wouldn't tell us if the reality star is the mystery buyer ... but did reveal that Kim has previously shown interest in buying the rights to the tape.

For a guy who hates to get dirty, it's pretty hard to believe Howie Mandel just moved his production company into an L.A. office building famous for housing the biggest PORN company on Earth!

But it's true!!! TMZ has learned Howie just took over some office space in the Vivid Entertainment building in L.A. ... right around the corner from Universal Studios.

Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch tells us he's very excited to hang with his new office neighbor -- and personally gave Howie a tour of the building last month.


Hirsch tells us his team is more than happy to do "whatever it takes" to make Howie feel comfortable at the XXX compound ...  adding, "We even painted the walls and replaced the carpet."

We called Howie for comment -- so far, no response.

Jasmine Waltz said the mere suggestion that she signed a XXX contract with Vivid Entertainment was "impossible" ... well, prepare to view the impossible ... because TMZ has a copy!!


Waltz -- David Arquette's former fling -- signed the deal back in 2010 ... in which she agreed to  deliver a sex tape for a cool $60k plus 25% of the profits.

And get this -- as part of the deal, Waltz agreed to only do XXX work for Vivid for the next three years ... and if she breached the contract, she'd face $150,000 in penalties.

Steve Hirsch, president of Vivid Entertainment, tells TMZ he let Jasmine out of the deal amicably after she had second thoughts.

We're guessing he was as "shocked" as Jasmine claims she was when her XXX sex tape popped up on a website last week.

A rep for Waltz tells TMZ, "She never denied that she had at one point had a contract. She had severed ties with both her manager and Vivid, so she decided to sell it on her own."