ICANN Considering .XXX Domains
 

Here's the article. I want first dibs on sex.xxx and hardcore.xxx and fuck.xxx



SAN JOSE -- Ten organizations submitted applications to sponsor new Internet domains, including ".mobi" for mobile services and ".xxx" for adult content, the group that oversees key aspects of the global network announced Friday.

Each organization paid $45,000 to apply for suffixes that are to be set aside for specific industries and interest groups. The deadline for applications was Tuesday.

The new domains could be approved as early as this year and would be the first major additions since 2000. Public comments on the applications will be accepted from April 1 through April 30, according to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.


In May, the applications are scheduled to be further reviewed by an independent panel. If approved, ICANN will negotiate specific terms and conditions with each domain registry operator.

Unlike today's most common domains, such as ".com," Internet addresses based on the new suffixes would be available to people, organizations or businesses that comply with rules set by the sponsoring groups.

For instance, Internet addresses ending in ".mobi" would allow sites built for the small screens of mobile phones. Microsoft Corp., Nokia, Vodafone, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd., Sun Microsystems Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. made up the group that submitted the application.

The ".xxx" domain is sponsored by the International Foundation for Online Responsibility. According to the group's Web site, it would encourage the adoption of the suffix among the "responsible online adult-entertainment community."

The other applications are: ".asia," ".cat," ".jobs," ".mail," ".post," ".tel" and ".travel." The ".tel" name was sought by two groups.

In 2000, seven new top-level domains were added, including ".biz," ".info," ".name" and ".pro," which were unsponsored, and ".aero," ".coop" and ".museum," which had sponsors.

On the Net:

Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers: http://www.icann.org

getting .xxx domains approved by ICANN would rock

Yeah because

sex.com is unavailable.
sex.net is unavailable.
sex.org is unavailable.
sex.info is unavailable.
sex.biz is unavailable.
sex.tv is unavailable.
sex.us is unavailable.
sex.cc is unavailable.
sex.ws is unavailable.
sex.bz is unavailable.
sex.vg is unavailable.
sex.gs is unavailable.
sex.tc is unavailable.
sex.ms is unavailable.

Or would it? :Graucho

No it wouldn't. The company proposing the .xxx extension would hold blackmail any domains worth anything and also would cause huge problems with already branded domains in the .com version. If .xxx was allowed then government could force all adult sites to be on the .xxx extension and therefore the branded names in .com will likely be taken by squatters. Everyone should strongly be against this and voice it.

Cheers,
Matt

I'd be in favor of .xxx domains under two conditions:

1. If COPA is ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.
2. If Congress would amend COPA to make the .xxx domain a "safe harbor," i.e., if you use the .xxx domain you can't be prosecuted under COPA.