This article appeared in the August 2005 issue of Web Host Industry Review magazine. Click here to subscribe for free.
August 19, 2005 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- In June, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers announced that it had approved a proposal for the creation of a .xxx top-level domain specifically for adult material. The ICM Registry (icmregistry.com) will manage the technical side of the domain, while a non-profit group called the International Foundation for Online Responsibility will develop its policy. In an email interview, Jason Hendeles, vice president of the ICM Registry, answered our questions about plans for the .xxx domain.
There were several groups sponsoring the .xxx domain at the time of your application. How did ICM Registry end up with the responsibility for managing the domain?
Jason Hendeles: The non-profit entity sponsoring ICM Registry's application to ICANN continues to be the International Foundation for Online Responsibility. This organization has been and continues to be the exclusive sponsor for the .xxx registry application.
How is the International Foundation for Online Responsibility involved with the ICM Registry, and with the regulation of the new domain?
JH: IFFOR will serve as the non-profit entity responsible for policy formulation for the .xxx TLD. Included in its responsibilities will be enforcing the IFFOR charter, which is intended primarily to serve the needs of the global responsible online adult-entertainment community. The IFFOR Charter includes support for free expression, the development of responsible business practices and conduct within the online adult-entertainment community and support for programs to protect children and consumers online.
Was it important that the company be morally sound?
JH: Yeah, it was. In the auction there was a caveat that I had the right to pull the plug if there was any reason for objection based on the name of the company or the advertisement itself. We had that clause in there for that reason, because I wasn't willing to do anything immoral.
What, specifically, is the rationale behind the existence of the .xxx domain in the first place?
JH: ICM Registry's mission is to organize the world's online adult-entertainment information and make it universally accessible and useful, while supporting the values and concerns of customers, webmasters and Internet users worldwide.
As could probably be expected, there has been some opposition to the domain in principle. How significant or serious is this opposition, and what does ICM Registry have to do to respond?
JH: IFFOR is committed to making the Internet safer for consumers, without compromising free expression or undermining global users' access to online adult entertainment, while still offering additional support for the battle against child pornography. To achieve this goal cooperatively and to ensure that there is a means for all stakeholders' to voice and address their concerns, IFFOR's board will include broad representation from all stakeholders (such as the online adult-entertainment, free speech, and child advocacy communities). Further, ICM Registry has pledged a $250,000 legal defense fund to defend and maintain the voluntary and non-exclusive nature of the .xxx sTLD. This support includes lobbying at the state, federal and international level to support free expression globally.
How much activity is expected for the new domain once registration begins?
JH: ICM Registry has projected that once the value of registering has been demonstrated successfully, domain registrations may reach or exceed 100,000 domain names within the first year of operations.
There is some concern that the .xxx domain might be a particularly popular target for cyber squatting. What has ICM planned to combat that?
JH: First, we require that the registrant be a bona fide publisher or other member of the online adult-entertainment community as defined in our TLD proposal. Our verification process alone should deter those webmasters who would seek to target established brands and identities for the purpose of speculation or domain name infringement. Second, prior to the general launch of the TLD, we will run a ?limited launch? during which webmasters who are readily able to be authenticated as having an established presence in the adult content business will have an exclusive opportunity to lock down their names and brands.
To further protect the online adult-entertainment community, our anti-cybersquatting policy will incorporate the most effective features of the anti-cybersquatting policies used during the rollout of the generic TLDs .info and .biz. We are also carefully reviewing the World Intellectual Property Organization's recent analysis of intellectual property concerns associated with the launch of new TLDs, and we plan to integrate the WIPO's recommendations into our administrative procedures for the initial limited launch and for addressing cybersquatting concerns on an ongoing basis.
The specific terms of our anti-cybersquatting policy are subject to the continuing negotiations of our contract with ICANN, and we firmly believe that we and ICANN share the same interest in ensuring that the launch of .xxx does not become an opportunity for cybersquatters or others with questionable motivation to damage the very community we intend to promote and to serve.
Are there any matters of privacy or identity unique to an adult domain registry? Are there any plans to provide for anonymity in registration?
JH: ICM Registry has proposed to develop and offer a comprehensive privacy policy to support the concerns of our registrants, as well as a proxy WHOIS service that masks sensitive contact information in the WHOIS database. This service will prevent spammers and other nefarious types from abusing our registrants' contact information.
Will users be required to qualify for a .xxx domain the way they would for, say, a .pro domain? What might those qualifications be?
JH: IFFOR will offer a process for responsible adult webmasters to become members and to agree to the business practices established by the board of IFFOR. That process will be released shortly, but is intended to ensure that responsible adult webmasters are given the opportunity to secure their domains and brands prior to launching the TLD.
