LOS ANGELES — In yet another example of the increasing mainstream media focus on the adult industry, CNBC has penned an article on the current state of .XXX adoptions.
“When the movie industry slapped adult films with an XXX rating, porn companies came to embrace the scarlet letters,” Chris Morris wrote for CNBC. “But when the nonprofit corporation that oversees Internet addresses rolled out the .xxx domain, the reception was unequivocally unenthusiastic.”
The article notes that while some companies have opposed the new domain extension, others have been more pragmatic, while others still seem decidedly nonplussed.
For example, Vivid chief Steven Hirsch relies on his company’s registered trademark protection to secure it from cyber squatters, while explaining that the brand’s focus on the video market makes it less vulnerable to changes in the online arena.
“We are primarily Vivid,” says Hirsch. “We don’t have thousands of different websites with thousands of different domains.”
New Sensations President Scott Taylor told CNBC that his company is taking a wait-and-see approach to the new domain extension, but doesn’t think that anything positive will come of it.
“Is it intended to protect children?” Taylor asks. “I mean, I think there’s too much out there that's readily available to kids who aren’t ready for it. There are very serious sexual images that I don’t think their minds are ready for.”
“I would look for legislation that would make it possible to block that,” Taylor added. “But to classify it as .XXX is fraught with problems for the entire industry.”
Other company owners are more outspoken on the issue.
“XXX is a joke,” Evil Angel founder Stagliano told CNBC. “I’m not happy there’s so much government influence. I wish there was a competing Internet.”
The article reveals, however, how some of the industry’s talent base has been swift to jump on the .XXX bandwagon.
“I think, from a performer standpoint, it’s a very good thing,” adult superstar Stormy Daniels stated. “So many girls can’t get their names as domain names because someone beat them to it — whether it’s some guy in a basement or an ex-boyfriend.”
“The cool thing about .XXX is they will only issue the address to someone who holds the copyright or if you (as a performer) can prove you are who you say,” Daniels added, noting that the move helps fans find the official site of their favorite performer. She also downplayed the threat of wholesale blocking.
“The truth is if they have filtering software,” Daniels stated, “They could do it anyways.”