NL-In April ICM applied to rule the dot SEX, dot PORN and dot ADULT domain names. It is just hitting the mainstream press. Here is what ICM has to say about it.
From https://www.icmregistry.com/
XXX Operator Applies to ICANN for More Adult Top-Level Domains
Unprecedented ”Grandfathering” * Clause Protects Existing .XXX Domain Holders by Reserving Matching .SEX, .PORN and .ADULT Domains
ICM Registry, via its wholly owned subsidiaries, has applied for .SEX, .PORN, and .ADULT under ICANN’s 2012 New gTLD Program.
If we are granted the right to operate .SEX, .PORN, or .ADULT, we will automatically, at no cost, implement a “Grandfathering” clause for each of the gTLDs that we are awarded. The “Grandfathering” clause reserves corresponding .XXX names in the awarded gTLDs; this will protect the direct match .XXX names in these new gTLDs.
The underlying .XXX registrant has full control over whether or not to register the .XXX reserved name in the gTLDs. The .XXX registrant may choose to register the name in one gTLD (and not others), the .XXX registrant may choose to register the name in all awarded gTLDs, the .XXX registrant may choose to use the name or sell the name or transfer the name. Alternatively, the .XXX registrant may choose not to register the name at all and instead, may choose to keep the name reserved in all awarded gTLDs, at no cost. All of these options are available to the .XXX registrant for as long as the underlying .XXX registration is maintained.
For example, if we are awarded the gTLDs and you have a registration for the domain name EXAMPLE.XXX, then, we will automatically, and at no cost to you, reserve EXAMPLE.SEX, EXAMPLE.PORN, and EXAMPLE.ADULT. We will maintain these .SEX, .PORN, or .ADULT reservations for free; there is nothing more you need to do. If and when you decide to register the name, you can; otherwise, it will remain reserved.
For names that are already .XXX registry-reserved names, there is nothing more that any entity needs to do. We will keep .XXX registry-reserved names reserved in the gTLDs as well. We will do this at no cost and for as long as we are authorized to operate the gTLD. (This applies to all Sunrise B .XXX reserved names as well as other .XXX registry-reserved names, but does not apply to .XXX names we reserved under our promotional programs intended for .XXX domain name registrations.)
At all times, all registered domain names remain subject to intellectual property laws and rights.
*For more information about the new gTLD Program rules and procedures, see the Guidebook published at http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb. The Guidebook may be modified and if modified, we will be subject to those modifications.
**While the reservations in the new gTLDs will be done free of charge, there will be charges for additional registrations. For more information about the “Grandfathering” clause, please see the forthcoming applicable rules and procedures that will be published if the new gTLDs are awarded.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL (April 12, 2012) – ICM Registry, the registry operator for the .XXX top-level domain (TLD) for online adult entertainment, today announced a significant move to protect .XXX participants by submitting applications for three additional adult entertainment-related TLDs — .SEX, .PORN and .ADULT. Under new rules finalized in 2011, ICANN, the governing body for Internet names and numbers, began accepting applications for new domain extensions at the beginning of this year.
“ICM Registry has worked for more than a decade to create .XXX which has become a globally accepted and responsible place for adult online entertainment to thrive in an easily recognizable self-regulated environment,” said Stuart Lawley, CEO of ICM Registry. “We are dedicated to protecting interested stakeholders by providing the latest technology and the best domains which is why we created the .XXX TLD. We chose to submit applications for additional TLDs to spare .XXX participants from needless expense and to ensure the TLDs will be run in the same trustworthy and appropriate ways that .XXX is today.”
If awarded these new TLDs, ICM Registry is offering an unprecedented “grandfathering” clause and will automatically reserve matching names at no cost for those who already have .XXX domains. .XXX registrants can chose to do nothing and the matching names will never be released under the new TLD suffixes. If however, registrants choose to register the new names for use, there will be a nominal fee. This means .XXX domain holders can potentially triple their exposure and value of their holdings, while brand and trademark holders who own .XXX domain names are automatically protected and will not have to register for the new domain names.
“ICM Registry has invested just under two million dollars in these applications to support our existing customers,” said Lawley. “By offering the grandfathering clause at no charge, we are demonstrating our commitment to our adult entertainment community and will not collect fees for this from anyone who already has purchased a .XXX domain by the appropriate cut-off date.”
In December 2011, ICM Registry launched the world’s only internet TLD dedicated to adult entertainment. In doing so, ICM Registry adopted industry-leading best practices to create a safe place for visitors to interact with online adult entertainment. These practices include daily malware scanning of all .XXX sites by McAfee. The .XXX TLD has more than 215,000 domains under management. ICM Registry also created a fair and easy way for individuals and trademarked brands to protect against undesired use of their names with a rapid takedown and dispute process.
Each of the new TLD applications were submitted under separate, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ICM Registry LLC: ICM Registry SX LLC, ICM Registry PN LLC, and ICM Registry AD LLC.
About ICM Registry:
ICM Registry LLC , headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is the registry operator for the .XXX sponsored top-level domain as approved by ICANN in 2011. ICM Registry provides the management and supporting infrastructure for this extension offered via registrars around the world.
Looks like they are trying their best to squeeze blood from a stone. The porn world is reeling and these guys want to create yet many more domain names.