The debate about this proposal has been going on since 2005 and in 2007 we thought it was all over when ICANN formally rejected the application by the company ICM. Then, the proposal did not have the support of governments around the world or the adult industry. And that is important because an stld must have industry support. It didn't then and it doesn't now. But ICM knows that managing the .xxx domain is worth a fortune and they have spent a fortune lobbying for its introduction so they are not going to give up lightly.

I explain our reasons for opposing it in the letter below and in an earlier blog http://www.sexparty.org.au/index.php/blog/351-why-we-still-oppose-xxx-tld

.xxx is in no one's benefit except the sponsoring company ICM. It will not protect children, nor stop child pornography nor advance the adult industry.

Dear Mr Beckstrom,

Opposition to .XXX TLD Proposal

The Eros Association is the peak national organisation for the Australian Adult industry. We represent the majority of the Australian adult retail and on line industry and have done so since 1992.

I am writing to express our opposition to the introduction of the TLD XXX.

I attended the ICANN meeting in Wellington in 2006 and met with ICANN and GAC delegates to explain our opposition to the proposal. At that time we submitted letters from major on line businesses that also opposed the introduction of the new TLD

Our objections have not changed. There is no support from the Australian on line adult industry for the TLD XXX. I note that the ICM website states that they have support form the adult industry and free speech advocates. I am yet to find anyone.

We can see no benefit for the adult on line community or the community at large.

The industry is concerned about child protection and illegal material being made available on line but does not believe that the TLD XXX will address these issues in any way. There will still be plenty of adult material on the .com domain and frankly child pornographers are criminals and they will not be concerned about NOT using a .xxx domain.

We also have great concern about a non-adult industry body establishing and regulating “best practices” for the adult industry.

Even with the best intentions, deciding what is and what isn’t child pornography or illegal material at a global level, is almost impossible. In Australia for example the performer does not have to be under 18 but only needs to appear to be under 18 for the content to be deemed illegal. The importation of such content into Australia can attract a five year prison sentence.

From an Australian point of view, we anticipate that if the .XXX TLD was introduced it would receive a blanket ban under the government’s proposed mandatory internet filter. Under the proposal, sites which contravene Australia’s strict X film rating will be blocked by Australian ISPs. The proposed guidelines for .XXX content are in excess of the Australian standard so it will be logical for the Australian government to simply block all sites with that TLD - despite the fact that many of them will actually meet the Australian guidelines.

There is nothing in this proposed TLD for the Australian on line adult industry. In fact it could be extremely negative for us.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can provide further information.

Sincerely,

Fiona Patten