ICANN Rejects '.xxx' Domain Again

ICANN rejected a proposal to create a domain for adult websites for the third time Friday, after the plan received criticism from world governments, religious groups, and members of the adult entertainment industry.

Porn sites felt that the creation of .xxx would eventually cause anti-porn advocates to press governments to make it mandatory to use the domain. Religious groups felt that a domain would legitimize pornography.

The motion to create the domain failed by a 9-5 margin. "This decision was the result of very careful scrutiny and consideration of all the arguments," ICANN chair Vint Cerf said. "That consideration has led a majority of the Board to believe that the proposal should be rejected."

Done in an open board meeting, the vote also gave a chance for board members to voice their opinions. ICANN CEO Paul Tworney abstained from the vote, although did not give a reason.

Those who voted against .xxx cited concerns over ICANN moving to the business of regulating content, while those who voted in its favor argued that the organization should not be using the laws of a country in deciding what is pornographic.

The decision is a blow to ICM Registry LLC, the Florida-based company that had first proposed the domain about seven years ago. In a statement, its president Stuart Lawley expressed disappointment, and said it would continue to pursue the domain's creation.

"It is not supportable for any of the reasons articulated by the Board, ignores the rules ICANN itself adopted for the RFP, and makes a mockery of ICANN's bylaws prohibition of unjustifiable discriminatory treatment," he said.

ICM claims it already has about 76,000 domains pre-registered to take advantage of the domain when it becomes active.