January 9, 2007

ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) announced yesterday that it is reconsidering a revised proposal from ICM Registry regarding the creation of a .xxx TLD (top-level domain).

In May of last year, ICANN voted against ICM Registry's proposal for a .xxx TLD, but ICM has since responded with changes to the contract to address ICANN's original concerns on the issue.

Some of the changes include the fact that ICM must promise to take steps to protect children.

It also requires that registrants use clear content labeling, prohibit transmission of spam and deceptive marketing practices by registrants, reserve geographic and religious or culturally sensitive names, as well as donate money to child safety organizations.

The public comment period on ICM's new proposal is open until February 5, 2007.

Seperately, ICANN also recently announced it has signed an exchange of letters with the country code top-level domain manager for the .fi domain for Finland, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority.

Source: The WHIR