ICANN Approves .XXX sTLD

The ICANN Board voted today to proceed with ICM’s .XXX sTLD despite the advocacy of the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and a wide range of adult industry leaders. This decision represents the first time the ICANN Board has disregarded advice from its Government Advisory Committee (GAC).

Ira Magaziner, one of the founders responsible for creating ICANN under the Clinton administration, Vint Cerf, the past Chair of the ICANN Board, Larry Strickling, the Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce and former US President Bill Clinton all spoke of the absolute necessity of the ICANN Board listening to its Government Advisory Committee, but apparently the advice fell on deaf ears.

“Of course we are disappointed but we are not surprised by the ICANN Board’s decision.  As voiced in concerns by speakers at this very conference, the ICANN Board has dangerously undervalued the input from governments worldwide,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke. “Worse, they have disregarded overwhelming outpouring of opposition from the adult entertainment industry – the supposed sponsorship community – dismissing the interests of free speech on the Internet.”

While the industry must assume that second-level .XXX domain names will be sold, the battle is not over. Under ICANN’s bylaws there are review procedures available to affected parties including GAC itself.

“Until now we have been forced to work within the constraints of the ICANN process. FSC is now free to explore all options and we intend to do just that with input from, and in the interest of, our members,” FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas said. “We will help the industry fully understand the risks and ramifications of participating in .XXX .
Douglas went on to comment that, “As regrettable as the vote was, the involvement of FSC and industry leaders in this process has and will continue to provide a positive face of the adult entertainment community to  leaders of the online community worldwide.”

In the coming days and weeks FSC will provide information about .XXX and alternatives for the adult entertainment industry.

 

‘No .XXX’ Protest at ICANN 40 Conference in San Francisco

FSC Executive Director Diane Duke leads the rally cry

Kink.com founder and FSC Board member Peter Acworth is interviewed at the rally

Wasteland.com founder Colin Rowntree and Pink Visual President Allison Vivas in front of the Westin-St. Francis

Marching on the line in front of the ICANN Conference

Attorney Allan Gelbard, Evil Angel founder John Stagliano and attorney Paul Cambria (l to r)

Attorney and FSC Board member Reed Lee and FSC Board President Sid Grief protest in front of onlookers

Girlfriends Films owner and FSC supporter Dan O'Connell pickets outside the conference

At the ICANN Conference 40, held this week in San Francisco, FSC staged a “No to .XXX’ protest rally with industry leaders and others from the adult community. Those in attendance included Evil Angel’s John Stagliano, Pink Visual’s Allison Vivas, Kink.com’s Peter Acworth, Girlfriends Films’ Dan O’Connell, YNOT’s Connor Young, Wasteland.com’s Colin Rownrtree, attorneys Paul Cambria, Allan Gelbard, Jeffrey Douglas and Reed Lee, perfomer Jiz Lee and former performer Brooke Ashley, staff from Kink.com and NakedSword.com, as well as FSC staffers.

Today, FSC Executive Director Diane Duke and attorney and FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas await the possible decision from ICANN on the proposed .XXX sTLD. Overall, the adult industry’s voice was heard both in the media and at the conference; today’s decision, if handed down, will represent the culmination of seven years of opposition for .XXX by the FSC and the online adult industry.