opinion

News for .XXX Opponents

I would like to bring together several recent comments made by adult industry attorney Paul Cambria concerning the issue of a .XXX top-level domain and explore what they might mean when the issue is revisited, as it will be in the near future, especially if Sen. Max Baucus, R-Mont., follows through on his intention to introduce legislation mandating the creation of .XXX and if Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., follows through on his stated inclination to make .XXX mandatory.

In Cambria's written testimony submitted to the Senate Commerce Committee on Jan. 19, he did not directly reference .XXX, but implied opposition to it when he wrote: "Additionally, parents themselves have the means to restrict their children's access to material they deem inappropriate for minors, and implementation of a .kids domain would assist them in this endeavor." Cambria clarified his opposition in verbal testimony before the committee, and also a day after his testimony on Luke Ford's website, where he posted, "[I] in no uncertain terms told the Senate we were opposed to .XXX …" He did muddy the waters a bit when he wrote, "[T]he rightwing groups feel that .XXX will tend to legitimize the industry, and I agree that it will," but I take from all this that at the end of the day, he clearly opposes .XXX.

During testimony, in response to a question concerning who his association, the Adult Freedom Foundation, represents, Cambria stated that AFF represents "a group of very influential producers and manufacturers" who "drive the rest of the industry."

Taken together, these comments are great news for .XXX opponents, and here is why. The success of ICM Registry's sponsored application for the .XXX TLD was dependent upon convincing ICANN that ICM had the support of the leading adult entertainment companies. As a part of the application process, ICANN was led to believe, perhaps truthfully, by ICM and others that three of Cambria's most influential clients — Vivid, Hustler and AVN — supported the application.

This was made quite clear in many ways, including comments made by Greg Dumas on March 14, 2004, when he wrote on the ICANN public comment page: "I have personally met with many of the leaders in the online adult community from around the world... from *** in Curacao... to *** in the U.K.... to Hustler, Vivid, AVN and many, many more have all demonstrated their support for this application."

Hustler has since taken a publicly neutral stand regarding .XXX, but neither of the others has refuted Dumas' claims. Still, if Cambria meant what he said — that he was testifying on behalf of the largest companies in the industry and that he opposes .XXX — then we must take from that they too oppose .XXX, and that is good news with respect to both future .XXX legislation and ICM Registry's current effort. In short, ICANN must reconsider the ICM Registry application in light of this clarification by Cambria.

If, however, no opposition to dot XXX by the Big 3 were forthcoming, then one would have to wonder on behalf of whom Cambria really was testifying, and what the meaning of his opposition to .XXX is really all about. But I am confident that imminent moves by Congress, combined with the Cambria testimony, will inspire these companies to come to their senses regarding a bad idea that will not work, and we will finally be able to start working toward presenting a united front regarding important issues that once divided us.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser

With her fiery red hair and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Fighting Back Against AI-Fueled Fake Takedown Notices

The digital landscape is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, and while AI offers immense potential, it’s also being weaponized. One disturbing trend that directly impacts adult businesses is AI-powered “DMCA takedown services” generating a flood of fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Building Seamless Checkout Flows for High-Risk Merchants

For high-risk merchants such as adult businesses, crypto payments are no longer just a backup plan — they’re fast becoming a first choice. More and more businesses are embracing Bitcoin and other digital currencies for consumer transactions.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech

On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

What You Need to Know Before Relocating Your Adult Business Abroad

Over the last several months, a noticeable trend has emerged: several of our U.S.-based merchants have decided to “pick up shop” and relocate to European countries. On the surface, this sounds idyllic. I imagine some of my favorite clients sipping coffee or wine at sidewalk cafés, embracing a slower pace of life.

Cathy Beardsley ·
profile

WIA Profile: Salima

When Salima first entered the adult space in her mid-20s, becoming a power player wasn’t even on her radar. She was simply looking to learn. Over the years, however, her instinct for strategy, trust in her teams and commitment to creator-first innovation led her from the trade show floor to the executive suite.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

How the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act Could Impact Adult Businesses

Congress is considering a bill that would change the well-settled definition of obscenity and create extensive new risks for the adult industry. The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, makes a mockery of the First Amendment and should be roundly rejected.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

What US Sites Need to Know About UK's Online Safety Act

In a high-risk space like the adult industry, overlooking or ignoring ever-changing rules and regulations can cost you dearly. In the United Kingdom, significant change has now arrived in the form of the Online Safety Act — and failure to comply with its requirements could cost merchants millions of dollars in fines.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Understanding the MATCH List and How to Avoid Getting Blacklisted

Business is booming, sales are steady and your customer base is growing. Everything seems to be running smoothly — until suddenly, Stripe pulls the plug. With one cold, automated email, your payment processing is shut down. No warning, no explanation.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Leah Koons

If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.

Women in Adult ·
Show More