Porn Might Still Get Web Domain

Internet Oversight Agency Revives Plan For .XXX Web Addresses

(AP)  The Internet's key oversight agency has revived a proposal it earlier rejected to create an online red-light district, after adding stronger provisions to prohibit child pornography and require labeling of Web sites with sexually explicit materials.

The use of the proposed ".xxx" domain name would remain voluntary, but any porn sites that choose to use it instead of the more popular ".com" would be subject to the new terms issued late Friday by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

The idea of a separate ".xxx" domain has generated significant opposition from conservative groups and even some pornography Web sites.

But ICANN officials said they initially rejected the proposal in May not because of the opposition but because of concerns that the agency might be put in a difficult position of having to enforce all of the world's laws governing pornography. They noted that various nations' speech-related laws sometimes conflict with one another.

The new proposal does not directly address any potential conflicts in laws, but it calls for the company backing it, ICM Registry Inc. of Jupiter, Florida, to hire independent organizations to monitor porn sites' compliance with the new rules.

ICANN, the agency in Marina del Rey, California, designated by the U.S. government to oversee domain name policies, opened the proposal to public comment but did not indicate when it would rule.

If approved, ICM would be required to help develop mechanisms for promoting child safety and preventing child pornography, "including practices that appeal to pedophiles or suggest the presence of child pornography on the site."

Porn sites would have to participate in a self-descriptive labeling system, likely one from the Internet Content Rating Association. Under it, Web sites add tags based on such criteria as the presence of nudity and whether it is in an artistic or educational context, such as for sites on breast feeding. Relatively few sites now participate, although major Web browsers have mechanisms for reading the tags.

ICM also would have to develop automated tools to check for compliance and give users ways to report violations.

ICM believes the domain would help the $12 billion (euro9.17 billion) online porn industry clean up its act, as those using it must abide by rules designed to bar such trickery as spamming and malicious scripts.

Anti-porn advocates, however, countered that sites would be free to keep their current ".com" address, in effect making porn more easily accessible by creating yet another channel to house it.

Many porn sites also objected, fearing that an ".xxx' domain would pave the way for governments or even private industry to filter speech that is protected in the United States by the First Amendment.

[marcpcbs]

I think that porn didn't receive it's own domain in the first place was a gross oversight. After all, in video stores it has it own room.

This way, computers could default to no access to the porn domain and the owner would have to prove they were 18 to reverse it or something. Businesses would be able to shut it out all together. Think of the increase in work productivity.

[swingalong]

Porn Might Still Get It's Own Domain

"It's should be "its." Basic English that my cat knows.

[nothappyatall]

"..conservatives objected to..."

Yeah no chit, the CONservatives object to anything and everything, if I had my way I'd ship the dam lot of them and their moron churches off to Siberia or somewhere where they can spend 24/7 worshipping Santa Claus in the sky for the rest of their days.

Trouble is they want their cake and to eat it TOO, the best way to deal with the FREE SPEECH of porn is give it it's own domain name so the rest of us can block it, view it or whatever.

[galaxiana]

swingalong says:

"It's should be 'its.' Basic English that my cat knows. "

====================

I don't know how you trained your cat in proper English. I can't even get mine to stop putting her tail in the middle of the screen when she sleeps on top of the monitor!

You shouldn't be so critical of peoples' misuse of "its" and "it's" because a whole generation or two of us were actually taught that "it's" is correct when the possessive case is meant. It has only been in the last 15 years or so that schools are teaching otherwise. When you criticize people about this, you're showing not only your young age, but its concomitant ignorance. =)

As for the .*** domains, I agree with others that moving it to its own domain would be wise because it allows those who wish to avoid porn an easy method of filtering, and those who wish to find it, a likewise easier method to do so. This move will only be effective, however, if we require them all to migrate to .*** within x number of years, perhaps as their .com domains come up for renewal. Of course, under any .*** scenario, existing porn sites have their .com domain names automatically reserved for them under .*** (per ICM Registry,) so they needn't worry about losing them.

[galaxiana]

oh lovely, the filter asterisks out the proposed top level domain in comments, but leaves it in the article! Real smart, CBS, lol! =)

[annd2302]

come on *******

[bellal-2009]

Porn should definately have it's own domain and it should be mandatory for all obscene imagery to go through it. I am appalled to go to the public library and see children viewing porn courtesy of tax payers dollars. These are kids who still haven't mastered the English language. As long as parents sign the consent form they don't have to use the filtered internet.

[wirnypod]

We are in a dangerous era. Exstreme society has decided porn, homosexuality, and sexual indiscretion can fit in the mainstream-it's new and exciting & profitable. Those who have had a taste of it, their vision is permanantly altered, they are like a lion who has had a taste of blood. They may still love their "other half", but there is now a part of them that has a hunger for something that betrays the other, and it forever is with them, whether they want it or not. It doesn't tell us, we are precious for who we are the inside, it tells us we are valuable only for what we can offer, nobody cares who I am. Who you are isn't going to be enough to have a person to share your life with, unless you are willing to share your mate with others, and what kind of life is that. I've been on both sides. Everyone is getting tainted. I have to explain to my 4 year old what a lesbian is, and to my 8 year old why people think abortion's o.k. It's not the world I grew up in. At least before cable and the internet, the poison was spread slowly.-Elaine

[wirnypod]

We are in a dangerous era. Exstreme society has decided porn, homosexuality, and sexual indiscretion can fit in the mainstream-it's new and exciting & profitable. Those who have had a taste of it, their vision is permanantly altered, they are like a lion who has had a taste of blood. They may still love their "other half", but there is now a part of them that has a hunger for something that betrays the other, and it forever is with them, whether they want it or not. It doesn't tell us, we are precious for who we are the inside, it tells us we are valuable only for what we can offer, nobody cares who I am. Who you are isn't going to be enough to have a person to share your life with, unless you are willing to share your mate with others, and what kind of life is that. I've been on both sides. Everyone is getting tainted. I have to explain to my 4 year old what a lesbian is, and to my 8 year old why people think abortion's o.k. It's not the world I grew up in. At least before cable and the internet, the poison was spread slowly.-Elaine

I have no problem with porn having its own domain. Actually, it would make it easier for all parties. People who like to explore could do so. People who want to steer clear would easily be able to.

This could have saved a lot of people frustration if implemented earlier.

[aisat2666]

bellaL

I agree with you on one of 2 things (I know, I do not have to agree or disagree with anything, it is all an opinion) Number one, the last part of your statement, about the kids, I agree whole-heartly. I have a 12 year old grandson who is not blocked and I definitely have issues with that, his sister and parents. The parent thinks he can make up his own mind. The sister takes the bunt of his jokes. I disagree he has no say-so until the ripe ole age of 21 on that stuff.

Number 2, I am in my late 60%u2019s and I made my living for 20 years from the %u201CPorn%u201D industry. You can let it go, it can be forgotten, you can make a change never to have it in your sights again, and I did. It is all a matter of %u201Cwill power%u201D and the almighty. Yes, the %u201CAlmighty%u201D helped the most.

[hermit22]

.PERVERT is a good word for EVERY porn site. so every time some pervert has "its" or "it's" compulsions for porn they have to type in .PERVERT first. they should NOT usee *** or defame the word "adult" or any of that other nonsense. They should write .PERVERT. no .com or anything to be confused with anything else. just .PERVERT.

Nobody should have to go to the library and type "kitten" into the search and up pops some PERVERT toxic pollution. All that stuff should be totally seperate. It really should NOT even be on the web. Its more stupid than pouring gasoline into the rivers and streams.They got rid of DDT poison and took in pervert hugh heffner back in the old days. DUH!

[hermit22]

aisat2666,besides his sister, how many other girls want to steer clear of your 12 year old grandson like the plague? You'd better ask the Almighty for help for him too.

[cantshutup]

do you realize how easy it is for children to see pornography on-line? one small typo or even mischeiviousness can open up stuff you would not believe existed...who cares if adults view porn?...but if you're a parent with ANY sense at all, keep your computer in a common area where children can be monitored at all times...and don't let up on your kids for one minute, it's a parents job to monitor and take action when it comes to children AND teens!

[marcpcbs]

newster1

Giving porn its own Domain isn't limiting freedom of speech, it is just getting porn out of the face of kids from ages 1 to 18.

I think we also need to greatly reduce the amount of violence that our kids see.

Now watch, someone is going to say, "what's wrong with school violence?" or "Our kids have a right to play murder game 24 / 7".

I hate it when someone corrects spelling cause I can't spell.

[annd2302]

marcpcbs

Everyone has spell check, it is just an extra step. So simple, create a "WORD" document, cut and paste. easy!

[marcpcbs]

annd2302

Spell check saves me every time but it doesn't catch it all.

[hermit22]

To keep kids safe these days, parents have to put their kids in the "pickle barrel" and keep them there with the lid on until they are 29!.

Like childabusers, perverts are so on the loose because the powers that be, or the weaklings that say they are in "power" are so like wet spagetti so they can't muster up the backbone it takes to clean out perverts and childabusers.

The "powers" that be, hide behind "confidentiality" and "HE'S got HIS rights!" as I was told when trying to battle off a perverse childabuser. "HE's got HIS rights!" which is basically, "you don't count worth nothing!"

[du_anek]

There is a great deal to be said here and this is a heated topic, one that likely won't ever go away. Porn should have its own web domain but that will not get rid of the problem of children or addicted adults finding it on the internet. I would think that the web is simply too enormous to regulate that well.
Personally, I am deeply thankful that we have freedom of speech, but part of that means allowing others to use it in ways with which I would whole-heartedly disagree. Is that a contradiction? Is it a contradiction that I love Jesus so much it makes me cry and laugh, but I also thought "Borat" was hilarious? I don't think so. But I also don't think that it is my job to tell others how to live. I have a hard enough time figuring it all out myself. Loving God seems to be the "rule" worth mentioning. So, if they want porn, they'll get porn; and I'll do my best to help heal the wounds in the aftermath.

[hermit22]

I'll do my best to help heal the wounds in the aftermath.
Posted by du_anek at 02:54 PM : Jan 07, 2007

are you some sort of nut that enjoys seeing the wounds in the first place, when it would be so much smarter to PREVENT the wounds in the first place?

[hermit22]

When I see all the things that "the parents" are supposed to protect their kids from, I've come to equate "freedom of speech" with "freedom to pass gas" and for everyone who insists protecting perverse behavior and media etc. to them I say: May the crowds persistently pass gas on YOU!

this goes at your favorite restaurant, at your child's party, when you are trying to be sophisticated, when you are graduating college,when you are getting married....someone has their "rights" to pass gas on you, and "YOU should have stopped them first".

Like Dr. Phil says the worst stress is being held accountable for something you have NO CONTROL over.

[annd2302]

I%u2019ll guarantee you, when I grew up, and mom or dad found the %u201CPorn%u201D under the mattress, I literally got beaten within an inch of my life. Cannot do that now days, subject to child abuse.

I don%u2019t think I looked at a naked set of hooters until I was 20. Just exaggerating, but it was a hell of a long time even before I thought about any porn stuff. A good old fashioned beating did some good then as it would now!!!!!!

[hermit22]

Did you hear on the news today, the Muslim cab drivers in MPLS-ST.Paul area don't pick up the liquor crowd because that evil is against the Muslim religion.

I vote with the Muslims on this one. Why don't the Christians have the same backbone?Instead of some unsuspecting cab driver having to cart the liquor busineses "time bombs" around after they get snakkered, the BAR should be FINED for not taking care of their customers!

Instead of doing the healthy way, the powers that be in Minnesota, royal embarrasements, put the screws to the DRIVERS and fine them! Duh! just like the powers that be, with the porn on the web. DUH!

Who COSTS more money to the taxpayers? the cab drivers or the snakkered? and govt. covers for the drunks. what is crazy about this picture?

[gaye5]

Hermit22, Christians wouldnt do it because they would be put down in every outlet that was possible, people would say 'who were they to push their beliefs on everyone else etc, there would be an out rage from non Christians' but being muslim the people say good on them... however this site is about porn...

[gaye5]

What I am concerned about is as these 10 second peices of advertising is so effective and puts trillions of dollars in the pocket of the companies,What effect does hrs of violence, fear, porn, murder etc do to our population... doesnt anyone have any brains to see that these crimes have esculated in the last 40 years... we are told that it is percentage wise, but living in NZ where there was only 3 million people 50 years ago there was only one murder every couple of years, now there is 4 million people and murders are so frequent that they are not reported in the paper any more... if we can save one life by cutting out this stuff then we have succeeded... it has been proven that it has an effect on people...

[gaye5]

Everyone has their rights! but I also have a right to bring my children up without seeing pornsex etc everywhere.. we know that children have their rights also they need to be protected... It is the first time in history that we are not protecting the most vulnerable, "OUR CHILDREN" and we will reap the consequences later...as we are seeing now with school shootings etc,,50 years ago we would NEVER have dared to answer a teacher back and we grew up fantastically with respect for others.. watch out world...

[hermit22]

Hi Gaye5, thanks for speaking up! the reason I mention the cab drivers is because the same principle or lack of principle is happening....the powers that be, flop over and play dead and the perverts, or in the case of the cab drivers, the drunks win.

[hermit22]

What is the media influence that the drive-by shooters of the 24 year old Bronco football player etc.were brought up on? Media influence, in this day and age, should be a test just like DNA testing. Sweetheart, how did you brain get so twisted?

Ted Bundy was trying to tell the public some of where he got his start, but the money media,and porn people don't want to listen.

[antoniof123]

Hey people you can use your firewall to filter out the stuff you want it is really easy to do. Start being parents and stop asking the government to raise your children for you. We have a rule around the house if you get caught you lose your right to surf the net. Plus send the kids outside to play. You know it worked when we were young and guess what they still like it in fact the kids in our area sometimes do not want to come in. So stop blaming others and take some responsibility in your life you wanted kids not do the right thing.

[bellal-2009]

I've seen kids viewing hardcore porn at the library. Some of it looked like child porn to me and there is nothing the librarians can do because the kids' parents have signed the consent form, which in my neighborhood, most don't even speak English.

[natural302]

(ICM believes the domain would help the $12 billion (euro9.17 billion)

ICM JUST WHANTS A PICE OF THAT $12 BILLION!
THAY THANK WE ARE STUPID..

[darkfyreaol]

This is no surprise. There are already .edu, .org, .net, .gov, .mil, and other sorts of extensions that have gone thus far unchallenged.

Why the sudden outcry of a .*** extension? Could it be the industry leaders are more concerned about money in their pockets than people not wanting to expose their children to such material?

Not to mention, the approval of the .*** domain would save millions in anti-porn filter development. All you would have to do is block the domain type, and your children would be safe - nothing to slip through the cracks.

[darkfyreaol]

BellaL: Wrong. If children are viewing pornography, the library's first action should be to revoke their access until the problem can be resolved.

Failure to act would make them susceptible to legal action.

[hermit22]

since the library can say, "shhhh, no talking in the library", they certainly can put the kabash on perverts, like they have on smoking in the library.

if all the perverts were put on an island, what would their culture be like in ten years?