SAN FRANCISCO — The ICANN board voted today to proceed with ICM’s .XXX sTLD despite the advocacy of the Free Speech Coalition and a wide range of adult industry leaders. This decision represents the first time the ICANN Board has disregarded advice from its Government Advisory Committee (GAC).

The board voted 9-3, with four board members abstaining, to approve the .XXX sTLD.

Ira Magaziner, one of the founders responsible for creating ICANN under the Clinton administration, Vint Cerf, the past Chair of the ICANN Board, Larry Strickling, the Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce and former US President Bill Clinton all spoke of the absolute necessity of the ICANN Board listening to its Government Advisory Committee.

“Of course we are disappointed but we are not surprised by the ICANN Board’s decision," FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said.

As voiced in concerns by speakers at this very conference, the ICANN Board has dangerously undervalued the input from governments worldwide, she said.

“Worse, they have disregarded overwhelming outpouring of opposition from the adult entertainment industry — the supposed sponsorship community — dismissing the interests of free speech on the Internet.”

While the industry must assume that second-level .XXX domain names will be sold, the FSC said the battle is not over. Under ICANN’s bylaws there are review procedures available to affected parties including GAC itself.

“Until now we have been forced to work within the constraints of the ICANN process. FSC is now free to explore all options and we intend to do just that with input from, and in the interest of, our members,” FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas said. “We will help the industry fully understand the risks and ramifications of participating in .XXX .

Douglas went on to comment that, “As regrettable as the vote was, the involvement of FSC and industry leaders in this process has and will continue to provide a positive face of the adult entertainment community to leaders of the online community worldwide.”

In the coming days and weeks FSC will provide information about .XXX and alternatives for the adult entertainment industry.