March 19, 2011 | The Biz

.xxx approved

Disregarding the advice from industry representatives and the Government Advisory Committee (GAC), ICANN voted yesterday to allow ICM’s request for the creation of the .xxx domain.

The vote was 9-3 in favor, with four board members abstaining.

The decision is interesting in that no one seems to support it. Industry groups, like the Free Speech Coalition, see the move as a step closer to censorship (it is easier to block a whole domain category than individual sites), as well as a money grab for ICM, which has asked to manage the domain for at least 10 years.

Even porn opponents opposed the move as they feel .xxx legitimizes an industry they don't like.

“Of course we are disappointed but we are not surprised by the ICANN Board’s decision," FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “... They have disregarded overwhelming outpouring of opposition from the adult entertainment industry — the supposed sponsorship community — dismissing the interests of free speech on the Internet.”

The fight is not over, she promised.

“Until now we have been forced to work within the constraints of the ICANN process. FSC is now free to explore all options and we intend to do just that with input from, and in the interest of, our members,” FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas said. “We will help the industry fully understand the risks and ramifications of participating in .xxx."

ICANN Approves .XXX [XBiz]