FSC Pushes for Transparency in ICANN's .XXX Review Process

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition this week formally asked ICANN for transparency in the application process for the .XXX sTLD proposed by domain registrar ICM.

The request, spelled out in a letter, was one of two documents sent to the web domain regulator.

The FSC also filed a so-called Documentary Information Disclosure Policy (DIDP) request with ICANN to request information pertaining to the application process.

The FSC said in a release Thursday that, "as a 'sponsored' TLD, the success of ICM’s application requires the support of adult industry stakeholders. FSC opposes the .XXX sTLD and has urged adult online business owners to voice their opposition to ICANN."

Further, the FSC said its actions this week follow what it contends are "inconsistencies in information to be disclosed to stakeholders during the ongoing application process."

“This isn’t a done deal,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “There are still a lot of questions to be answered and barriers to overcome. FSC and the adult entertainment industry will make sure that our voice is heard in the process.”

In the letter, Duke requests that ICANN:

  • Verify that companies which ICM has listed in support are viable adult businesses;
  • Verify that companies listed in support in fact do support ICM’s current application for a .XXX sTLD;
  • Determine how many pre-registrations claimed by ICM are in fact defensive registrations; and,
  • Determine how many pre-registrations are registrars or companies hoping to re-sell domain names.
With the DIDP request, the adult trade group asked for information relative to International Foundation for Online Responsibility, known as IFFOR, the governing body proposed by ICM to set policy for .XXX sTLDs.

Specifically, the FSC asked for:

  • A list of the IFFOR Board members;
  • A list of proposed members of the Policy Council;
  • IFFOR’s business plan, including projections over a five-year period with 125,000 initial registrations;
  • A list of .XXX sTLD pre-registrants who have been identified to ICANN; and,
  • ICM’s proof of sponsorship community support as submitted to ICANN.
The FSC says ICANN is obligated to respond to the DIDP request for information within 30 days of filing.

The procedure for approval of the .XXX sTLD was announced by the ICANN Board of Directors after their June meeting in Brussels.

The current process includes a 30-day public commentary period that started on Aug 24. It also required posting of information from ICM’s revised registry agreement on the ICANN website.

Duke also also requested that the public commentary period be extended to 30 days after resolution of the DIDP request.

The FSC said that industry stakeholders who would like to voice their opposition to the proposed .XXX sTLD can submit an email to ICANN here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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 News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s new age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

SK Intertainment Launches 'Skinfluential Management' Agency, FansFuel Joint Venture

Mr. Skin/Mr. Man parent company SK Intertainment has launched new creator agency Skinfluential Management, as well as a new joint venture with Showbizz Media's creator stats and affiliate marketing platform, FansFuel.

Industry Attorney, Free Speech Champion Clyde DeWitt Passes Away at 75

Noted industry attorney Clyde DeWitt passed away on Friday in Las Vegas at 75, according to friends and colleagues.

Show More