Just looking through various sites and newswires which I like to read and noticed that the ICM Registry, the body behind the proposed .xxx top level domain which ICANN rejected on the 10th May (despite previously approving it) has decided to appeal the rejection. The .xxx extension for those of you that don’t know was proposed by the ICM Registry for porn and adult enterainment sites in March 2004. The benefits which the ICM preached included the idea that .xxx domains would be completely filterable and thus parents, workplaces, etc. could ‘protect’ their children and staff with ease.
Of course with these things, not everyone ‘plays ball’ and opposition came from conservative groups who believed a .xxx TLD would create a ‘virtual red light district’ and from many established players in the online porn industry who did not want their established and well known sites changed from www.theirdomain.com to www.theirdomain.xxx as it would ‘upset business’.
Personally I’m not sure whether I favour a .xxx TLD or not as I always try and see things from both sides but I can understand why the ICM has decided to appeal ICANNs decision. I think the decision to appeal was justified because of the strange goings on which surrounded the various ICANN decisions. First off let us not forget that the US government has a big influence over ICANN as it is under the direct oversight of the Department of Commerce, thus this means the US goverment has a veto on all major ICANN decisions. ICANN claim they make independent decisions but many of the worlds web watchers are not so sure. With this in mind let us continue with an overview the .xxx TLD related events.
In June 2005 ICANN approved the .xxx for use, the Department of Commerce voices its concerns in August of that year and thus final approval is delayed and as we know on the 10th of May this year ICANN reverses its initial decision and rejects the idea for a .xxx domain. Sound like government influence to you?, certainly seems that way to me. What changed in the few months between approval and rejection of the TLD? The presence of ideological pressure from the U.S. government of course. ICANN board members should make their decisions based on what’s good for the Internet and not what’s good for the George Bush administration, ICM therefore have every right to appeal if they believe something unfair has gone on.