ICANN Gives Fresh Life to .XXX Domain
ICANN has published a revised proposal from ICM Registry, Inc. for providing a .xxx top level domain name.
In May 2006 ICANN voted to not approve ICM Registry Inc.’s proposal for a .xxx TLD, but ICANN didn’t outright reject it. ICM has responded with changes to the contract to address ICANN’s original concerns. Among the changes, ICM must:
-Take steps to protect children (counting using a 3rd party to monitor)
-Requires registrants to use clear content labeling
-Prohibit transmission of spam by registrants
-Prohibit deceptive marketing practices by registrants
-Reserve geographic and religiously/culturally sensitive names (this is controversial)
-Donate money to child safety organization(s)
The original ICM proposal set of a firestorm of criticism, both from conservative and child safety groups and, ironically, from adult entertainment firms. The former were worried regarding the proliferation of porn on the internet. The latter group was worried that governments might mandate them to move from .com and other domain extensions to the fresh .xxx domain. Although ICANN denies it, government pressure is thought to have swayed the organization’s May 2006 decision. United States Senator Max Baucus even proposed a bill in Congress to establish a .xxx domain. Regardless of the bill’s merit, Congress getting involved with domain name policy struck the international community as proof of the government’s heavy-handedness with ICANN.
In a 2006 survey by Reglike, 63% of participants agreed that the .xxx domain ought to be approved.
The public comment period on ICM’s fresh proposal is open until February 5, 2007.
Click here for additional Reglike articles regarding the .xxx domain.
