Triple X web domains go on sale today

THE TRIPLE X web domain names go on sale today at 4pm.

ICM Registry, which is selling the domain names, says that the pornography web domain space is the "coolest" one on the market. We don't know about that, but it is running a rather excitable countdown in a large font on its web site. And countdowns are always exciting.

The .xxx domain space is all about splitting off the more adult parts of the internet into their own online reservation, but some have suggested that other firms will feel pushed into buying the .xxx suffix in order to avoid being tarred with a pornography brush.

"While adult entertainment is enjoyable to many adults, it is not appropriate for all audiences," said Stuart Lawley, CEO of ICM Registry. "We created .XXX to address the unique needs of the online adult entertainment industry. The public response has been overwhelming as consumers and the adult entertainment providers are excited about the benefits and infinite possibilities of .XXX."

The .xxx domains go on sale at 4pm today, UK time, and ICM Registry is offering interested parties the chance to spend the time in between trying out domains that they could buy. We found a couple that we liked the look of, but are passing for now.

"All .XXX domain names will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis with prices set by the individual registrars," warns the firm.

The .xxx domain is not without opponents, even among those in the adult entertainment industry, and one business called Manwin, which runs the Playboy web sites, has filed an antitrust suit against ICM Registry and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) over it.

The firm is complaining that the domains cost six times as much as other alternatives, which it says is unfair.

"This is a monumental case impacting the entire business community and the Internet ecosystem," said Fabian Thylmann, managing partner of Manwin in a statement.

"It uncovers a pernicious monopoly at the very heart of the Internet. Ending anticompetitive practices by ICM and ICANN will not only protect our business, but help other companies compelled to pay a fee to keep their names unassociated with a .XXX designation."

We have asked ICM Registry to respond. µ