ICANN rejects .xxx plan

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers  (ICANN), has stopped a proposal to create an .xxx domain specifically for adult web sites for the third time.

ICANN cited fears that it would find itself having to regulate content and is concerned because they did not have the support of the adult entertainment industry as a whole.

"The proposal is effectively rejected, and it is my understanding that as a consequence of this vote, we will not accept any further proposals" said ICANN Chairman Vinton Cerf after the 9-5 vote. One member, ICANN Chief Executive Paul Twomey, abstained.

The company seeking the domain name, ICM Registry LLC, had been allowed to revise a previously rejected proposal. Although ICANN wants to close the current round, which began in 2004, a new proposal could be offered in the next round of applications.

ICM's president and chief executive, Stuart Lawley, said a lawsuit against ICANN was likely over the rejected bid.

A few ICANN board members criticized their own agency as being too timid to tread toward controversial ideas.

Susan Crawford, a board member who backed the ".xxx" domain name, said the Internet's success grew out of a principle that the network should be open to anyone or anything as long as it isn't illegal or harmful.

"In a nutshell, everything not prohibited is permitted," Crawford said