CNET Reports Many Mainstream .XXX Domains Still Available

NEW YORK — Although mainstream media has been buzzing about a number of non-adult entities scooping up .XXX domains, the hype may not be justified.

CNET reported yesterday that hundreds of .XXX domains — many with mainstream prefixes — have not been registered and can be grabbed by anyone interested in profiting from the adult association for as little as $100 a year.

Citing a study by Stanford University researcher Elie Bursztein, despite the initial news about non-porn entities rushing to get their .XXX to protect themselves from interloping adult profiteers, the frenzy is overblown.

Bursztein found that of the world’s 50,000 most popular websites, only 24 percent have grabbed .XXX domains.

"There's been a lot of news about people rushing to buy .xxx," Bursztein told CNET. "But after the dust settled, it turns out that the data don't agree with the hype."

Some choice government names like USDOJ, Treasury, DARPA and USEmbassy were listed along with top universities like Brynmawr and LoyolaCollege as being up for the .XXX taking.

And even some typical porn names that pop up with top Alexa ratings including PornControl and porn star LexiLove are still unclaimed.

But not so fast.

The Domains — a website that specializes in domain information and discussion pointed out that the CNET article got it wrong by relying on the general WHOIS registration data and not ICM Registry’s WHOIS link that shows many of the domains are either pending in sunrise, land rush or waiting for auction.

It appears as though there's some confusion as to what's available for public consumption. The aforementioned domain for LexiLove shows that it may in fact be available — but only for adult — as it's reserved for performers on ICM's site.

And other more culturally sensitive names like JesusChrist, ProphetMohammad and well-know political figures including BarackObama are on special reserve by ICM and can’t be bought.

The article also pointed out that even if the domain is secured it will never be a website unless it adheres to ICM’s policy for adult "sponsored community" that requries .XXX domains to "provide online entertainment" or be a supporting business, such as providing legal, accounting, catering, or manufacturing services.

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