So what is .XXX?
This sponsored top level domain (“TLD”) has been designed specifically to cater for the adult entertainment industry. It was approved by the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Board on 18 March 2011 and went into operation on 15 April 2011.
Who operates the .XXX domain?
It is operated by ICM Registry based in Florida, USA who has released a launch process that is done according to specified date ranges based on the qualifications of both members and non members of the adult sponsored community.
What is the launch process?
ICM Registry has proposed two “Sunrise” processes, one where dedicated to members of the adult sponsored community (i.e. individuals, business, entities, and organizations that provide online, sexually-oriented adult entertainment intended for consenting adults or for other community members) with either verifiable trade mark rights or owners of exact matching domains in other IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) TLDs (which is also known as “Grandfathering”) and the other process where non-adult intellectual property holders who are non-members of the adult sponsored community with verifiable trade mark rights can block their domains in the .XXX TLD.
After the Sunrise processes there will be what they have termed a Landrush process that is for members of the adult sponsored community but not on a first come, first served basis.
(Applications for competing names will go to a closed-auction at the end of the Landrush period.)
Lastly there will be a general availability period where members of the adult sponsored community get regular, resolving names on a first come, first served basis.
Should you require assistance with respect to:
- securing your trade marks and matching domains; or
- protecting your non adult brands; or
- applying for a .XXX TLD
then please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance.