The .xxx domain registration is now a reality: the extension has just been recognized as valid and can therefore be used.
Some time ago we talked about the idea of creating the .XXX extension for adult sites and explicit content. A motion that on one hand unequivocally defines the nature of the site itself and on the other avoids involuntary landing on unwanted web pages.
The issue, brought to the attention of theICANN, has reached its conclusion today: from now on any operator in the adult industry will be ableto register a .xxx domain, although there are some limitations to keep in mind.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has indeed called for careful control over registrations, so that episodes of using the names of famous people or brands that have nothing to do with this sector do not occur.
An option to avoid this already exists: celebrities or large companies can request their name be excluded by paying a one-time fee of around $200.
The company rejoicing at this news isICM Registry which, in 2004, acquired the .xxx domain, then submitting it for review byICANN: it goes without saying how lucrative this substantial business could be, which, by becoming a “rib” of the broader context of adult content, will certainly generate staggering numbers (and revenues).
Forecasts indeed speak of a potential of about 500,000 new sites of this type that will be born during 2011 alone.
Large adult sites currently using .com will not be obliged to switch to the new extension, but it is very likely that many will decide to purchase a .xxx, if only to prevent someone from appropriating the site’s name with a different extension.
So, whileICM Registry will certainly see thousands of requests arrive – for which on average one should pay no less than 60 euros per registration – the company itself will have to seriously consider a fundamental aspect: cybersecurity.
To ensure that .xxx domains are clean and secure, the company has decided to rely onMcAfee which will oversee this particular “neighborhood” of the web.
From today and for the next 50 days, priority will be given to well-known brands for registering a .xxx: it seems, in fact, thatICM was starting to approach brands such as Microsoft, Coca Cola, Nike etc… to interest them in purchasing, in order to avoid future plundering by so-called cyber-squatters.
Once this period of time has ended, ICM will then move on to handle purchases by companies operating in the porn industry: there will be 17 days available for priority requests.
After that, sales will be open to anyone.
A new business is starting, that’s for sure. Less certain is the impact it will have on everyday browsing: some countries, in fact, have already declared their intention to automatically censor .xxx sites, as for example India appears to be about to legislate.
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