ICANN announced that it will take into consideration the plan for .xxx adult domain . A spokesman stated that this issue will be discussed on 12 March 2010.
“ICANN will take another look at the proposal and it will be on the agenda at the meeting on Friday.”
ICANN had previously given the domain the go ahead in 2005, but reversed the decision two years later amidst protests from US conservative groups. An independent review recently concluded that decision was unfair and that the plan should be reconsidered.
The ICM Registry sent a letter to ICANN ,explaining the importance of .xxx domain names.
Stuart Lawley,chairman of ICM Registry stated that ” “ICM remains committed to the .xxx project, and is eager to work with ICANN to take the steps necessary to launch the new sponsored top-level domain and, in so doing, ensure that the results of the first-ever ICANN Independent Review Process are fully implemented in accordance with ICANN’s own core values of accountability, transparency and objectivity.”
.XXX domain names will be used only for adult websites.
It is in business terms major even, opening many opportunities for online business. When we look on history of domains such as sex.com where its generated in 1995 25 million hits a day with income from click-throughs and other advertising, reportedly $50,000 to $500,000 per month.
Sex.com was reported sold to Escom LLC in January 2006. At a reported $14 million price, the domain name has widely been cited as the highest priced domain sale.
As of February 18th,2010, the domain name has been ordered to be sold at a foreclosure auction.
Read more about role of ICANN here.
15 of March 2010
Page 78 in below deocument:
http://www.icann.org/en/irp/icm-v-icann/irp-panel-declaration-19feb10-en.pdf
Seems like its not gonna happen this time either…
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And there we are, few months after and there seems to be some progress happening. As I was informed by applicant ICM Registry, ICANN case is still in progress.
As per latest report from 26 March 2010 available here ICM Registry is still working to clarify approval process with ICANN. There are many issues highlighted during this process, like for example:
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ICANN’s decision has important implications for Internet freedom of expression. While a .xxx domain is undeniably controversial, ICANN must guard against becoming a tool of those who wish to discourage or censor certain kinds of legal content. A TLD string should not be rejected simply because some people or some governments object to the types of content that might be associated with it. ICANN’s mandate to coordinate top level domain names cannot and should not become a mechanism for content regulation or censorship.
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So still no final word in this case. According to information provided by ICM Registry latest requirements appointed by ICANN were rather regarding technical facilities then politics. But there seems to be true on both sides on this disputes. What do you think?