http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/10/xxx_domain_objected_to_by_governments/

Apparently the porn industry has been trying to get an .xxx domain setup since 2003. First I've heard about it. I don't see why this is such an issue, it could be made into a convenience for everyone. Porn exists everywhere... but grouping it all under the same top level domain, parental watch software could easily block a majority of porn websites. I would say if everyone works together, all porn sites could be even made to move to an .xxx domain.

What are the cons?

edit:

What DTBK. I didn't look at it from the porn industries view. But aren't they the ones who are pushing for this?

Weren't their some porn websites that were opposing this thing too?

xxx.xxx looks weird.

The problem isn't so much the idea itself, it's what will be done with it. Also, how to manage it.

Once .xxx exists, it's very likely you'll see pressure from "think of the children" groups, especially in the US, who say that all porn sites must be on .xxx domains so as to protect children. So then we get onto the slippery slope of who decides what a porn site is. A lot of people in the porn industry are against it for this reason, as well as making it very easy for people to filter out .xxx domains totally, therefore reducing their potential marketshare (I'm neutral on that point). It also basically just becomes another cash grab, which is why ICAAN are doing it. They can potentially charge more for .xxx domains, and many existing porn sites will feel compelled to buy the .xxx version of their existing .com so as to prevent squatters and trademark infringement, but the company isn't really gaining anything by having the .xxx domain.

Yeah, the last time this was on my ticker it was in the light of porn websites being mostly opposed to the .xxx domain for these reasons... they would be far easier to block, marginalize, or ban that way. In fact, I'm not quite sure what they have to gain from a .xxx domain.. they already are recognizable as is.

• There is no incentive for adult websites to move to the .xxx TLD.
  
• Unless sites containing NSFW content are forced by law to move to .xxx, the domain will not serve its purpose.
  
• If sites containing NSFW content are forced by law to move to .xxx, there will be a public uproar when sites not primarily designed to display pornographic content are forced to move.
  
• If the law is strict, we will most likely end up with "staredit.xxx" due to the frequency that "fuck", "hentai", and "H" are mentioned on our forums.
  
• If the law is lax, then some sites containing pornographic content will remain on the .com domains, annulling the entire point of the new TLD.
  

I am opposed to introducing .xxx simply because there is no way for it to work out well. Content filtering is already more of an inconvenience than a feature, with restrictive software banning imageshack and tinypic but leaving sites like hustler outside of the blacklist. It won't get much better.

I'm for it, so I'm less likely to accidentally stumble upon a bad website.

The porn industry already has enough 'bad image' and negativity surrounding it.

Sure, it's the recording and filming of people having sex, so this is understandable. But the truly large porn 'companies' operate like any other legitimate business. They hire accountants, web specialists, receptionists, as well as actresses and cameramen.

Their main argument is that if you segregate all websites containing porn to the .xxx top level domain, that it will make them look seedy and bad-natured. And also make it totally easy for filtering programmes to completely lockdown all porn websites, completely killing a vast portion of their marketshare. Holding on to a .com domain name gives their business a more legitimate look and feel.

They are also opposed to the 'xxx' because it is an old phrase, not so much in use any more, and it literally means 'explicit'. Not all porn is 'explicit'.

I'm against the idea... as with all legislation on pornography, you run into problems defining what is "objectionable" material. And as previously stated, the domain change would have to be enforced by law or it wouldn't really be effective, and I think that sets up a bad precedent.

Apart from net neutrality, I'd prefer if the government just stayed out of legislating the internet please.

I would impose that if something was filtering out porn websites, there would be a damn good reason to. Parental software, school software, or work software. The first two especially, I would hope the porn industry wouldn't mind losing the traffic of little kids.

Quote from Voyager7456

Apart from net neutrality, I'd prefer if the government just stayed out of legislating the internet please.

Quote from Forsaken Archer

I would impose that if something was filtering out porn websites, there would be a damn good reason to.

I really don't know how to summarize my feelings better than this.

But then I'd have to change all my bookmarks... :\

Ah who am I kidding? They'd buy the .com domain names anyways and link it back

What's wrong with kids seeing pornographic content anyways? >_>

Wait, what does this have to do with kids not seeing .xxx sites? If their parents are too lazy to set up restrictions, then they'll see it. If their parents aren't too lazy, chances are they have a good handle on what their kid sees.

My point is that one of the listed "advantages" of having a .xxx domain is to be able to easily prevent children from seeing that kind of website. In my opinion, I'm not seeing how seeing such a website can harm a kid, thus making this advantage pretty weak to my eyes.

Especially since kids don't have access to a credit card, which is honestly all the porn industry really cares about. I mean, they don't provide full access for free, you know.

Children who have not gone through puberty are not physically ready for sex. Viewing pornographic material might suggest to them to engage in activities which could be harmful to them. I think there's a pretty wide consensus that we don't want our children having, dealing with, or watching sex.

Unless you're anti-conformist Payne.

I don't think any website should be forced to do or not do anything; I don't like the idea of a regulated internet. This isn't China, and I like it that way, and so I'm against the whole idea being forced by some authority.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 13 2010, 7:29 am by CecilSunkure.