Like a bad penny that always turns up, ICM and Stuart Lawley have once again returned to the adult space, this time proclaiming they have won the battle and dot-xxx is no longer a proposal, but a reality. Mr. Lawley is the new sheriff in town and we better listen, according to what he says in this lengthy but revealing thread on XBIZ.net. If you are not yet a member of this board, I highly recommend it for excellent focused commentary by some of the most respected players in our industry on this issue.

What bothers and concerns me on this particular go-around is the sheer vitriol that is coming to the surface. It is obvious that Mr. Lawley has not an ounce of respect for the members of our business community and is ready to exploit it for all it is worth. But, that is not the only bad part of it, as it is expected from him, akin to a British Major General that is civilizing the sub-continent in the Victorian era.

What disturbs me is that this issue is now eating the industry apart from the inside out. A few old guard players are playing this like a fiddle for massive future profits, while the vast majority of the industry is once again scrambling to get a grasp on what they can do to protect their interests. And, most disturbingly, with little cohesive media editorial voice. XBiz.net has provided a valuable forum for this, but within a walled garden that is not accessible to the mainstream media, ICANN or GAC (the last line of ICANN defense in this matter).

I have seen this play out many times in the past and it saddens me each time it happens. Yes, we are all in this industry to make money, but when certain members of our marketplace that are considered leaders and founders sell everyone else out for the profit motive, regardless of how it impacts the future of the adult industry's integrity and cohesiveness as a legitimate entity, it just makes me shake my head in disgust.

I suppose those are results of a maturing market segment, but that really does not make it right or ethical, does it?