The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has allowed porn websites to have .xxx as their domain instead of .com.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers said it would begin negotiations with ICM Registry, to iron out technical issues and prices for the new web addresses.
ICANN spokesman Kieran Baker said that adult-oriented sites which is a $12 billion industry, could begin buying "xxx" addresses as early as fall or winter depending on ICM's plans. The new pornography suffix was among 10 under consideration by the regulatory group, which also recently approved addresses ending in "jobs" and "travel."
Other top-level domains still awaiting a decision from ICANN are .asia, .mail, and .tel.
ICM Registry plans to handle the technical aspects of running the master database of .xxx sex sites. A second, nonprofit organization called the International Foundation For Online Responsibility will be in charge of setting the rules for .xxx.
The ICANN staff objected to domains such as .kids and .xxx and rejected ICM Registry's first application in November 2000.
Even though ICM Registry's approach is designed to be free-speech-friendly, the American Civil Liberties Union has expressed concerns about .xxx domains. There could be a problem where some nations may force sites dealing with sensitive topics like homosexuality or birth control into the .xxx zone, where they can be easily blocked.
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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers said it would begin negotiations with ICM Registry, to iron out technical issues and prices for the new web addresses.
ICANN spokesman Kieran Baker said that adult-oriented sites which is a $12 billion industry, could begin buying "xxx" addresses as early as fall or winter depending on ICM's plans. The new pornography suffix was among 10 under consideration by the regulatory group, which also recently approved addresses ending in "jobs" and "travel."
Other top-level domains still awaiting a decision from ICANN are .asia, .mail, and .tel.
ICM Registry plans to handle the technical aspects of running the master database of .xxx sex sites. A second, nonprofit organization called the International Foundation For Online Responsibility will be in charge of setting the rules for .xxx.
The ICANN staff objected to domains such as .kids and .xxx and rejected ICM Registry's first application in November 2000.
Even though ICM Registry's approach is designed to be free-speech-friendly, the American Civil Liberties Union has expressed concerns about .xxx domains. There could be a problem where some nations may force sites dealing with sensitive topics like homosexuality or birth control into the .xxx zone, where they can be easily blocked.
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