Porn Gets Online Red Light District: '.xxx' Domain Applications Accepted
The governing body of the Internet started accepted applications for .xxx websites from the pornography industry on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Porn companies have contended against the authorities for over 10 years to make their website domains end with “.xxx”
This new advancement for the adult entertainment industry marks the beginning of an online Red Light District. These .xxx websites are designed to provide more transparency around Internet pornography.
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Some criticize the porn industry for attempting to implement the .xxx into their web addresses to generate profits, while others feel this will help protect users surfing them by providing a specific “signpost” for pornographic material.
The first company to propose the .xxx domain was ICM Registry in 2000 along with “.kids.” However, the Internet Corporation originally rejected both of these ideas for Assigned Names.
ICM changed the proposal to sponsor the top-level domain overseen by a dedicated organization in 2004. After a string of rejections and public criticism, the .xxx domain was finally approved in March 2012.
The company started accepting applications for .xxx websites from trademarked companies on September 7. Nevertheless, the domain’s creation does not guarantee porn sites will use it.
“There is always a risk with a new top-level domain that you may build it and nobody will come,” said ICM Registry chief executive Stuart Lawley to Foxnews.
Lawley expects .xxx to supersede other top-level domains.
“The .xxx sunrise period results far exceed those of any other new domains, including .mobi, .asia and even that of .co that relaunched last year,” Lawley added.
All adult entertainment companies without trademarks can apply for .xxx website names for the next 17 days with their general availability following on Dec. 6.
