Now that the comment period for the .XXX extension has closed, the ICM Registry sent a letter to ICANN asking them to make a decision on the extension.
In the letter ICM states in part:
“””ICM, having been a respectful and diligent member of the ICANN community, and having invested many millions of dollars and a full seven years in trying to bring .XXX to fruition, calls upon the Board to act decisively and with finality on this matter. Over the years, every interested voice has been heard, many of them repeatedly, and their comments have been studied endlessly; many thousands of pages of documents have been reviewed by some of the sharpest legal minds in the world, and all that remains is for the Board to act on their determination.””
“”Further delays and needless, repetitive processes are no longer acceptable. We ask you to produce the final and obvious decision on this matter.””
“It is clear there is no appetite from any party for any further elongated process or delay—a sentiment with which ICM agrees heartily. Te community, along with many others, have spoken. It is now incumbent on the Board to make a clear decision.”
“Either move forward decisively to execute a registry agreement with ICM, without delay, or reject the Declaration of the Panel of legal experts and the wishes of the ICANN community, and deal with the consequences of that decision.”
However, I have to wonder if ICM has missed the boat, not due any failure of their own, but recongizing that since its original application, the adult online world has changed.
And not for the better.
We have talked about this reality before in reference to the sale of Sex.com
Today we received this notice from WegCash.com a large adult affiliate program that has been in operation for more than 10 years:
“””Today’s communication with our affiliates comes after much deliberation, as well as a heavy heart. After 10 years, and millions of dollars in affiliate payouts, Wegcash has decided that the continuation of the affiliate program is no longer sustainable. Therefore, we will no longer be accepting referrals effective May 21st, at 4PM PST.”
“””The reasons, many of which are obvious to all of us, revolve around the decline in membership revenue. The continued proliferation of free adult videos has spawned a market which does not support an affiliate program.””
As you get older the one thing you realize that you cannot buy, recoup or make up for is “time”.
Had ICM been allowed to sell domains using the .XXX extension years ago, IMHO a LOT more domains would have been registered than in today’s market where the adult industry is struggling in light of the overwhelming amount of free content in the form of tube sites on the net.
PPC revenue on adult domains are a fraction of what they were a few years ago.
Adult sites simply cannot convert visitors to paying customers which trickles down to domain holders and PPC revenue.
Where a few years ago I may have tried to register thousands of domains with a .XXX extension, In today’s market, my wish list, would be in the hundreds.
On the bigger picture, the rollout of hundreds or thousands of new extensions, I think ICM makes a important point in its letter:
“””One such organizational consequence that the comment period should bring into focus for the Board is the very real possibility that ICANN’s documented processes could be subject to a “Hecklers’ Veto.” If so, then any potential new gTLD applicant will undoubtedly have to take note that a determined and organized special interest group will be able to successfully derail its application or, at very least, tie it up in knots for years. As a consequence, prospective gTLD applicants will certainly watch ICANN’s response to the IRP Declaration and this public comment period with great interest.”””
They’re right.
The religious right, which has opposed .XXX for years now, isn’t going to be too thrilled when .Gay seeks approval as a TLD or .Religion, .God, .Abortion, or even .Playboy.
Is ICANN going to bow to the pressure of every organized group which opposes an extension?
Its a fair question.
I guess we will have to wait for a while for the answer.
There ought to be a picture of ICM in the dictionary under persistence…
I really doubt this will ever get approved, not sure a somewhat threatening letter was a good strategy, then again I agree Icann is likely to forever tie things up in knots.
A fair post Michael.
You are right, of course, that the environment today is far less buoyant than it would have been back in 2005/2006. That said, the .XXX sTLD was always about delivering additional value for its registrants by its clear and visual differentiation and the power of collective bargaining and self-regulation. We are in this for the long term and will be as determined to fight for our registrants as indefatigably as we have fought over now TEN years for the creation of .XXX.
It is perhaps likely that following the huge PR push to educate the general public as to what an .XXX site actually represents that our registrants will enjoy increased traffic and greater retention of PAYING customer. Thats part of the goal, anyway.
Again , we are in it for the long term and will play the long game in terms of general acceptance and recognition of .XXX as the preferred TLD for adult content online.
“will be as determined to fight for our registrants”
I feel you have the right to fight for the tld just like any new registry. And, Icann has the responsibility to yea or nay.
However, please don’t insult our intelligence by saying you are doing it for your registrants.
Washingtonian,
Sorry you dont see it the way we do,. Its pretty obvious that unless .XXX, like any new sTLD brings benefits to its registrants, then it wont be a success. And I assure you, we understand that fully and are determined to make .XXX a success.
Should I bother enquiring about whether Wegcash will pay up outstanding monies or is it as good as gone?
Hamish
I don’t know my guess would be they will pay outstanding money but if they owe you money you should contact your rep