This stretch, Another Chance to Act on .XXX and What it Means for Fresh gTLDs
ICANN’s actions on .xxx go well beyond this one top level domain.
ICANN’s Board of Directors will once again consider what to do with the .xxx top level domain name during its board meeting at the culmination of the Brussels meeting this stretch.
More than just a decision on a mistake ICANN made long ago, this will act as a bellwether on the fresh top level domain process. Why? It will show us how much of a stomach ICANN has for controversy when it comes to introducing fresh TLDs in the next round. The “inside” controversy fresh TLDs have created is minute compared to the coming storm.
Yes, the deal with ICM registry is different. But if ICM wasn’t around, .xxx would still be on the table as a fresh TLD. And a lot of people would be upset regarding that. Just like they’ll be upset regarding .sex, .gay, and various .religion domain names.
Even non-controversial domains will spark fury when the general public finally realizes what is going on. Take .jobs. Yes, people are upset regarding a change in the “charter” and are publicly saying they are mostly upset with the “process” under which it was made. But “process” is often used as a euphemism when people really don’t want something for other reasons. Such as competition.
ICANN is regarding to enter a dark age of controversy. We’ll find out more regarding how it will handle it on Friday.
