Full Report: To view updated news and developments on the .XXX lawsuit, click here.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Adult entertainment company Manwin plans on filing an antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. against .XXX operator ICM Registry and ICANN relative to the new .XXX space.
While the suit hasn't yet been filed in federal courts, Greg Dumas told XBIZ that he "interprets this lawsuit as Manwin's attempt to flex their muscles and may be a part of a much bigger strategy."
"As we have proved time and again, ICM Registry has taken extensive measures to ensure it is being launched in the most lawful and responsible possible way," he said. "ICM Registry will vigorously defend their position against any meritless claims such as this one."
Dumas said that Manwin possibly filed the lawsuit "because they are worried that ICM Registry is creating opportunities for others in the adult industry to have a fair chance to build great brands and businesses in the new .XXX space.
"It's also important to know that we had been previously engaged in negotiations with Manwin on domain names and other things that they had requested. I'd think a phone call would have worked just as well because litigation is never good for anyone."
While Manwin officials have yet to officially comment on the pending suit, the decision to seek legal recourse over .XXX could be underscored by the number of Manwin-owned websites, as well as its Playboy-licensed ones.
The company, which claims to be the owner of the largest network of adult websites in the world, with more than 50 million daily visitors, operates, among others, Brazzers, YouPorn and Twistys, as well as Spankwire, Webcams Tube8, ExtremeTube, KeezMovies, Mofos, ExtremeTube, JuicyBoys and PornHub — all of which have been recently trademarked by Manwin Licensing International Sàrl.
Manwin's law firm, Mitchell, Silberberg and Knupp, which purportedly is preparing the suit against ICM Registry and ICANN, did not respond to XBIZ requests for comment.
Full Report: To view updated news and developments on the .XXX lawsuit, click here.