.adult

Status:	Proposed
Type:	Generic
Category:	Industry
More information:

.adult is a proposed TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program. ICM Registry, also applying for .porn and .sex. ICM Registry is the operator .xxx

Application Details

The gTLD is intended for the use the adult entertainment community. ICM Registry CEO Stuart Lawley explained that all registered domain names under the .xxx gTLD will be grandfathered under the .adult gTLD if approved by ICANN. Matching names with .adult domain name extension will be automatically registered to the registrants at no cost. However, a minimal amount will be charged if a registrant eventually decides to activate and use the reserved .adult domain name.

Controversy

Christian group Morality In Media launched a letter-writing campaign in July 2012 against ICM's three new TLD applications, .adult, .sex, and .porn. The group also protested against .xxx, ICM's original TLD. The group claims that its prediction about .xxx, that it would create more porn and not less, has been vindicated, as porn sites under the .com TLD have not moved to .xxx, and additional new sites have been created under the .xxx extension. With its campaign, MIM asked the U. S. Government and Congress and ICANN to take action against the spread of porn under the Internet by not allowing the three new TLDs into the root zone.

European Commission Objection

The European Commission Objected to .adult outside the defined ICANN remediation processes.

Just after ICANN's GAC issued its Early Warnings, which are advice given from one GAC member country to an applicant warning it of potential issues within its application, the European Commission issued a letter to all applicants within the new gTLD program. The letter highlights 58 applications that "could raise issues of compatibility with the existing legislation .. and/or with policy positions and objectives of the European Union."

The Commission specifically notes that this objection is not a part of the GAC Early Warning process, and goes on to note that "the Commission does not consider itself legally bound to [ICANN] processes," given that there is not legal agreement between the two bodies.

Top-Level Domain

Governmental Advisory Committee. Considers and provides advice on the activities of ICANN as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between ICANN's policies and various laws and international agreements or where they may affect public policy issues (ICANN Bylaws).