The ICM registry has won an appeal for an independent review of the .xxx extension.
The proposed TLD .xxx is suggested as an option for sexually explicit Internet websites. .xxx would be suitable for adult material, similar to .edu for education and .gov for government bodies.
The .xxx would be suitable for adult material, similar to .edu for education and .gov for government bodies. The appeal has caused controversy for both those for and against the introduction of the TLD.
The idea of .xxx would be to implement a way for those who wish to provide access to pornographic nature on the web and also make it easier for those who don’t wish to view explicit material to block the websites. This would also make it easier for search engines to block .xxx websites.
The ability to block .xxx would be beneficial to employees, children and parents. Blocking an entire TLD would be easier than using a complex filtering system.
However, the TLD would not be mandatory for those who wish to provide sexual content on the internet; explicit material would still be viewable on other TLD‘s, such as .com and .net etc..
The introduction of .xxx has been widely criticized by government bodies as they believe the introduction of this TLD would legitimize pornographic nature.
The .xxx domain would significantly expand the number of sexually explicit websites on the Internet, whilst also raising significant issues worldwide as different countries have different laws governing pornographic material.
When you search for specific terms you can often come across explicit material without meaning to, some users believe that implementing the .xxx domain would inform searches that the website has inappropriate material.
Will the adult industry choose to use the TLD?
Obviously companies will register certain domains to protect their business and trademark. Although, many of those in the adult entertainment industry believe creating .xxx will create a ‘red light district’ and censorship to the adult business. .xxx could help those in the adult entertainment industry ensure their material was suitable for their clients and that their material would not be offensive to those not interested in explicit adult material.
ICM originally applied for the .xxx in 2000 and was rejected. ICANN later reviewed ICM’s proposal in 2005 and ICANN voted in favor of implementing the .xxx extension. However after approval the extension was denied due to the worldwide ramifications.
At this point in time it is unclear whether the proposal will be approved or once again declined.
If it is denied once again, will ICANN be asked to reconsider again, in the future?
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