Fresh Life for .XXX — but Hurdles Remain

Expect fresh TLD applications for .xxx, but expect challenges too.

Poor .xxx. The top level domain that never was to be. On again, off again.

With the fresh top level domain process getting into high gear and ICANN expecting 500 applications, you can be assured that some of them will be for .xxx, .sex, or .porn.

But will they be approved? The morality police are on the prowl.

Today ICANN released an explanatory memo “Morality and Public Order Objection Considerations in Fresh gTLDs” regarding controversial TLDs (pdf). This is sure to be a hotly debated subject and ICANN has put a lot of legwork into formulating a consensus. So far the consensus is that panels could reject anything related to incitement of violent lawless action, incitement to or promotion of discrimination based upon race, color, gender, ethnicity, religion or national origin, and incitement to or promotion of child pornography.

Few would disagree with that.

But the discussion will be around what violates norms in various countries and not others: gambling and pornography are high on that list. Following all, you can’t register second level domains related to these two in some middle eastern domains, such as .AE.

Perhaps someone ought to apply for .equalrightsforwomen and give a free email address to all women in Saudi Arabia. On second thought, I’d hate to see all of them in jail.