AfterDawn: News

Companies forced to buy .XXX domains as protection

In March, ICANN, the governing body behind the Internet approved .XXX domains, almost 10 years after the idea was brought to the group.

With a vote of 9-3, and despite objections from the adult industry, the measure passed. Adult sites can choose to use the new domain, but are not required to do so.



The domains will begin launching in December and it appears that large companies have already begun buying up .XXX domains, to protect against "cybersquatters" or others that will use their brand names maliciously.

900,000 "expressions of interest" have already been received by the ICM Registry from companies looking to pre-register their trademarks.

A few companies include Mattel, Viacom and the Red Cross who certainly don't want to see spongebobsquarepants.xxx, redcross.xxx or barbie.xxx used by the wrong person.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 16 Aug 2011 13:44

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• 3 comments

• hikaricor

  But, by buying them up instead aren't they just cybersquatting as well?
  I mean I highly doubt they're going to put up a site on barbie.xxx anyway.

  16.8.2011 16:15 #1

• Azuran

  Originally posted by hikaricor: But, by buying them up instead aren't they just cybersquatting as well?
  I mean I highly doubt they're going to put up a site on barbie.xxx anyway. Its not cyberaquatting if you own the IP/goodwill the address attempts to represent.
  

  16.8.2011 16:34 #2

• FreddyF

  Maybe "barbiedoesken.xxx or barbiedoesgijoe.xxx GI Joewould be better since it is now a group rather than a person.
  
  Possibilities are endless. Personally I vote for USCongres.XXX to show the latest porn from our elected representatives....
  
  Unfortunately, it is mostly them screwing the counrty which is just depressing.
  

  19.8.2011 10:30 #3