ICANN delays decision on .XXX domain


16 Mar 2010

Following its recent meeting in Nairobi ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) again declined to make a decision on the .xxx domain for sites with adult content.

The .XXX proposal has been going on for years

The proposed .xxx global top-level domain (gTLD) has been up for debate for quite some time: ICANN announced in 2005 that it would come into play but changed its mind a year later, rejecting the domain in 2007 and remaining undecided ever since.

ICM Registry says it will bring better filtering of adult content

On 6 June 2008 ICM Registry filed an application for an independent review challenging ICANN’s denial of ICM’s application for the .XXX sponsored Top Level Domain (sTLD).
This company is essentially the driving force behind the push for the .xxx domain and says of its benefits: “For willing adult consumers of adult entertainment, the best business practices incorporated into the .xxx registration agreement will bring a greater degree of confidence and certainty to their online experience,” adding that it will also help filter adult content for those wishing to avoid it.

ICANN will decide on .XXX this June

The decision on implementation of .xxx is being delayed until ICANN’s next meeting in Brussels this June but it is looking hopeful for ICM Registry as the outcome was that ICANN considered the independent review panel’s declaration in conformity with the organisation’s bylaws and “explored possible paths regarding ICM’s application for the .XXX sTLD”.

Berners-Lee doesn’t think gTLDs are logical

Meanwhile founder of the world wide web Tim Berners-Lee has his views on gTLDs” “While they are not doing too much, I didn’t think having the .mobi domain name is logical because the whole point of having one web is having one URL or web address.

“The question you have to ask is if adding domains like .xxx or .mobi make life better for web users,” he added.

By Marie Boran