Latest news of the domain name industry

Recent Posts

.XXX to run the ICANN gauntlet yet again

Kevin Murphy, August 6, 2010, 11:43:25 (UTC), Domain Registries

Bring on the Christians!
The contract between ICANN and ICM Registry to run the .xxx adults-only top-level domain is to be submitted for an ICANN public comment period, again.
ICANN’s board resolved yesterday to publish the proposed registry agreement for comment for at least 30 days.
But it has not yet decided whether to refer the deal to its Governmental Advisory Committee, which remains ICM’s major potential pitfall on its route to the root.
As long as the public comment period kicks off quite soon, the ICANN board could be in a position to make that call at its weekend retreat, September 24.
The .xxx application has generated more public comment over the years than all other ICANN public comment periods combined.
Its last such period, earlier this year, saw thousands of comments, most of them filed in response to outreach by right-wing American Christian groups.
Objections are also regularly received from members of the Free Speech Coalition, a porn trade group.
I expect this forum will be no different. It will be interesting to see what tactics are rolled out this time, given previous failures.
Here’s the meat of the latest resolution:

RESOLVED (2010.08.05.21), upon receipt of ICM’s application documentation, ICANN Staff is authorized to post ICM’s supporting documents and proposed registry agreement for the .XXX sTLD for public comment for a period of no less than 30 days.
RESOLVED (2010.08.05.22), upon completion of public comment period, ICANN Staff shall provide the Board with a summary of the public comments and shall make a recommendation to the Board as to whether the proposed registry agreement for the .XXX sTLD is consistent with GAC advice.
RESOLVED (2010.08.05.23), once the Board has received the above public comment summary and recommendation from the ICANN Staff regarding the proposed registry agreement for the .XXX sTLD, the Board shall at its next possible meeting, consider this recommendation, and determine, consistent with the ICANN Bylaws, whether a GAC consultation shall be required.


If you find this post or this blog useful or interestjng, please support Domain Incite, the independent source of news, analysis and opinion for the domain name industry and ICANN community.

Tagged: , , , , , ,

Comments (5)

  1. walterd says:

    I have heard, first hand, from ICANN board members that this application will not be accepted–and yesterday’s vote confirms that. There will be a public comment period, and then in Columbia, ICANN will vote to pass the hot potato to GAC. Then, if ICANN actually makes a determination, the opponents can appeal through the IRP process. From what I’ve heard, it will be at least 2013 before there is any resolution. So, the question is, how deep are Lawley’s pockets?

  2. “The .xxx application has generated more public comment”
    Clever how .XXX is used to build T.R.A.FF.IC without making any progress.
    The .ORGanism thrives on remaining in the public eye and being viewed as the arbiter.
    It Seeks Overall Control

  3. jon says:

    test comment

  4. isis says:

    This movie says it all: http://dotxxxopposition.com/ In it you’ll notice some adult celebrities: Larry Flynt, John Stagliano, Peter Ackworth, Joanna Angel, etc.

Add Your Comment