FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 9, 2010
Contact: Diane Duke
[email protected]
FSC Pushes for Transparency from ICANN in ICM Application Process
CANOGA PARK, Calif. ? Free Speech Coalition (FSC) yesterday sent Internet domain regulator ICANN a letter asking for transparency in the application process for the .XXX sTLD proposed by domain registrar ICM.
FSC yesterday also filed a Documentary Information Disclosure Policy (DIDP) request with ICANN, to request information pertaining to the application process. ICANN is obligated to respond to the DIDP request for information within 30 days of filing. Details of the DIDP process can be found at: http://www.icann.org/en/transparency/didp-en.htm
The actions follow what FSC contends are inconsistencies in information to be disclosed to stakeholders during the ongoing application process.
The procedure for approval of the .XXX sTLD was announced by the ICANN Board of Directors after their June meeting in Brussels. The current process includes a 30-day public commentary period that started on Aug 24. It also required posting of information from ICM?s revised registry agreement on the ICANN website.
As a ?sponsored? TLD, the success of ICM?s application requires the support of adult industry stakeholders. FSC opposes the .XXX sTLD and has urged adult online business owners to voice their opposition to ICANN.
In the letter, FSC Executive Director Diane Duke requests that ICANN:
? Verify that companies which ICM has listed in support are viable adult businesses
? Verify that companies listed in support in fact do support ICM?s current application for a .XXX sTLD
? Determine how many pre-registrations claimed by ICM are in fact defensive registrations
? Determine how many pre-registrations are registrars or companies hoping to re-sell domain names
In the additional DIDP request, FSC asked for:
1. The list of the IFFOR Board members;
2. The list of proposed members of the Policy Council;
3. IFFOR?s Business Plan/Financials;
4. Business Plan/Financials Years 1-5 utilizing 125,000 Initial Registrations;
5. The list of .XXX sTLD pre-registrants who have been identified to ICANN;
6. ICM?s Proof of Sponsorship Community Support as submitted to ICANN
(IFFOR, or the International Foundation for Online Responsibility, is the governing body proposed by ICM to set policy for .XXX sTLDs.)
Duke has also requested that the public commentary period be extended to 30 days after resolution of the DIDP request.
?This isn?t a done deal,? Duke said. ?There are still a lot of questions to be answered and barriers to overcome. FSC and the adult entertainment industry will make sure that our voice is heard in the process.?
The letter to ICANN can be viewed in its entirety at the FSC website, http://www.freespeechcoalition.com.
Industry stakeholders that would like to voice their opposition to the proposed .XXX sTLD can submit an email to ICANN at [email protected]
The Free Speech Coalition is the national trade organization to the adult entertainment industry. Its mission is to lead, protect and support the growth and well-being of the adult entertainment community.
Sept. 9, 2010
Contact: Diane Duke
[email protected]
FSC Pushes for Transparency from ICANN in ICM Application Process
CANOGA PARK, Calif. ? Free Speech Coalition (FSC) yesterday sent Internet domain regulator ICANN a letter asking for transparency in the application process for the .XXX sTLD proposed by domain registrar ICM.
FSC yesterday also filed a Documentary Information Disclosure Policy (DIDP) request with ICANN, to request information pertaining to the application process. ICANN is obligated to respond to the DIDP request for information within 30 days of filing. Details of the DIDP process can be found at: http://www.icann.org/en/transparency/didp-en.htm
The actions follow what FSC contends are inconsistencies in information to be disclosed to stakeholders during the ongoing application process.
The procedure for approval of the .XXX sTLD was announced by the ICANN Board of Directors after their June meeting in Brussels. The current process includes a 30-day public commentary period that started on Aug 24. It also required posting of information from ICM?s revised registry agreement on the ICANN website.
As a ?sponsored? TLD, the success of ICM?s application requires the support of adult industry stakeholders. FSC opposes the .XXX sTLD and has urged adult online business owners to voice their opposition to ICANN.
In the letter, FSC Executive Director Diane Duke requests that ICANN:
? Verify that companies which ICM has listed in support are viable adult businesses
? Verify that companies listed in support in fact do support ICM?s current application for a .XXX sTLD
? Determine how many pre-registrations claimed by ICM are in fact defensive registrations
? Determine how many pre-registrations are registrars or companies hoping to re-sell domain names
In the additional DIDP request, FSC asked for:
1. The list of the IFFOR Board members;
2. The list of proposed members of the Policy Council;
3. IFFOR?s Business Plan/Financials;
4. Business Plan/Financials Years 1-5 utilizing 125,000 Initial Registrations;
5. The list of .XXX sTLD pre-registrants who have been identified to ICANN;
6. ICM?s Proof of Sponsorship Community Support as submitted to ICANN
(IFFOR, or the International Foundation for Online Responsibility, is the governing body proposed by ICM to set policy for .XXX sTLDs.)
Duke has also requested that the public commentary period be extended to 30 days after resolution of the DIDP request.
?This isn?t a done deal,? Duke said. ?There are still a lot of questions to be answered and barriers to overcome. FSC and the adult entertainment industry will make sure that our voice is heard in the process.?
The letter to ICANN can be viewed in its entirety at the FSC website, http://www.freespeechcoalition.com.
Industry stakeholders that would like to voice their opposition to the proposed .XXX sTLD can submit an email to ICANN at [email protected]
The Free Speech Coalition is the national trade organization to the adult entertainment industry. Its mission is to lead, protect and support the growth and well-being of the adult entertainment community.
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