.xxx
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Infobox Top level domain
.xxx is a proposed top level domain (TLD) intended as a voluntary option for sexually explicit sites on the Internet. The name is inspired by the former MPAA and BBFC "X" rating, now commonly applied to pornographic movies as "XXX". It was announced in June 1, 2005 as a sponsored top-level domain similar to .biz, .aero, .travel, etc. but is not yet implemented, and its future is uncertain.
As of 2005, there is an alternative implementation of .xxx by New.net, a private domain registration service unaffiliated with ICANN, via an alternative DNS root. Its future - including that of domain names previously registered with New.net - is uncertain in the wake of the ICANN-sanctioned TLD announcement.
There was also an unofficial .xxx TLD in an alternative root offered by the now-defunct AlterNIC.
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ICANN / ICM
A gTLD for sexually explicit material was proposed as one tool for dealing with the conflict between those who wish to provide and access such material through the Internet, and those who wish to prevent access to it, either by children and adolescents, or by employees at their workplaces.
Advocates of the idea argue that it will be easy for parents and employers to block the entire TLD, rather than using more complex and error-prone content-based filtering, without imposing any restrictions on those who wish to access it.
Critics of the idea argue that because there is no requirement for providers of explicit content to use the TLD, sexually-explicit material will still be commonplace in other domains, making it ineffectual at restricting access, and simply creating a new "landrush" as registrants of .com domains hosting explicit material attempt to duplicate their registrations in the .xxx domain, competing with operators who hope to register desirable names unavailable in other TLDs. There is also concern that the existence of .xxx will lead to legislation making its use mandatory for sexually explicit material, leading to legal conflicts over the definition of "sexually explicit", free speech rights, and jurisdiction. RFC 3675 [1] discusses some of these objections. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Commerce has objected to the creation of this domain in response to complaints that it would legitimize pornography.[2]
ICANN approved a proposal by ICM Registry, Inc. to implement .xxx as a sponsored top-level domain. ICM says it will charge $60/year for domains. The process for registrations was not immediately disclosed. In December 2005, discussions about the implementation of .xxx were taken off the agenda of ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee, placing its future in doubt.
New.net
Accessing web sites which use .xxx domains registered in an alternative DNS root with New.net (and several other unofficial TLDs they manage) requires special client software, the use of a DNS server specifically configured to resolve these domains, or the addition of ".new.net" to the end of the Internet address. E-mail can be sent to these domains only by appending ".new.net" to the end of the address. New.net domains can only be registered through them or their affiliates. These factors have limited the popularity of their TLD, and it would likely be further marginalised by implementation of the ICANN-approved .xxx registry. The prior use of these domains might also result in trademark disputes over domains registered in the ICANN-approved registry.