Jul 12, 2011 3:15 PM PST    Text size: 

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Hustler on Tuesday took a firm stand against ICM Registry's attempt to exploit .XXX domain names, declaring the sTLD operator is "prohibited from registering or selling to a third party any .XXX domain names that contain the famous Hustler trademark or other Hustler-related trademarks."

Not only that, Hustler President Michael Klein said "it appears that the .XXX TLD will do nothing but drive up costs to the adult community and will force us to fight infringement on yet another front.”

On more than one occasion, Hustler has made clear in writing that any attempt to do so will constitute infringement of its intellectual property rights and that legal action will be taken, the company said.

“Like many other companies in the adult industry, Hustler will not allow its trademarks to be bought, sold or used by any other entity nor will be we be shaken down by ICM,” Klein said. “We are prepared to take whatever legal action may be necessary.”

Attorneys for Hustler said they are continuing attempts to initiate dialogue with ICM, but the company has remained silent.

 “We are constantly policing the registration and use of domain names that attempt to capitalize on Hustler’s trademarks,” said Jonathan Brown, attorney for Hustler. “ICM’s silence is particularly disconcerting, especially in light of ICM’s supposed aim of ‘working proactively to balance the rights of existing domain name holders, and other trademark and intellectual property holders.’”