The ICANN Organization decided to reopen discussions concerning the XXX extension that is designated for sites with pornographic nature. Pornographic are not going to be so happy about it.

After discussions and arguments that lasted for years on the matter, the ICANN Org, which is responsible on registering domain names on the internet, to return to the discussion table with the ICM, that requested back in 2004 to register domains with pornographic nature using XXX extension.

The initial request for XXX extension was declined in 2007, and an appeal in the subject was served to the ICNN in 2008. In the last discussion the organization reported that it received over 6000 letters and emails from individuals and groups expressing their worries about the effect of pornographic material on children, objecting to support the creation of a XXX extension dedicated to pornographic websites. The objection is despite the fact that concentrating pornographic sites under a single extension will make it easy for groups and internet providers to block those sites. Additionally, the groups also mention that the new extension will not replace existing porno websites, most of them are under .com extension, but will only push more porno sites into the market.

In case that the ICM can soon register XXX extension – and seems like it is future to happen – registration of XXX domain will cost $60 USD a year, $10 out of that amount will be transferred to Non-profit organization that supports “business responsibility”. Even though there were already 100,000 requests to purchase domain under the extension, the assumptions are that the new extension will have limited affect on the internet. The main reason is because at least some of the major pornographic groups are not aspiring to be included under the new framework.

Pornographic companies are also worried that activity under a specific extension will make it easier to create regulations on their products.

The assumptions that within a year there will be half a million sites in the air from the moment the new extension is approved.