The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has once again delayed a long-awaited decision to create an “.xxx” domain name suffix for adult-themed websites.
“An exclusive domain for adult entertainment has the advantage of allowing for greater control over [pornographic] content,” explained Stuart Lawley of the ICM Registry, which owns the potentially lucrative .xxx domain suffix.
“In addition, for each web page added to the domain we will donate 10 dollars to finance initiatives to protect children.”
According to Lawley, ICM is poised to sell .xxx addresses for $60 each to approximately 500,000 adult entertainment providers.
It should be noted that online porn generates at least $3,000 dollars per second, while the keyword “sex” appears in a fourth of all online searches.
Nevertheless, there are still those in the adult industry who oppose the creation of a specific domain for porn sites.
For example, Diane Duke, director of a porn lobby known as the Free Speech Coalition, believes that .xxx will do little more than effectively “ghettoize” online smut.
“[It] will cost adult businesses millions and compromise the online adult industry. As the industry’s trade association it is our responsibility to guard against these types of threats.
“[In addition], the promise [ICM] made to the adult community and allow adult businesses to park their domain names for a nominal fee. However, ICM plans to provide that opportunity for mainstream companies,” she added.
