The .xxx registry operator, ICM has revealed that they have applied for an additional 3 Adult Top Level Domains (TLDs), .sex, .porn and .adult. The applications were submitted under separate subsidiaries of the ICM Registry. The CEO of ICM, Stuart Lawley said:

"ICM Registry has worked for more than a decade to create .xxx which has become a globally accepted and responsible place for adult online entertainment to thrive in an easily recognizable self-regulated environment. We are dedicated to protecting interested stakeholders by providing the latest technology and the best domains which is why we created the .xxx TLD. We chose to submit applications for additional TLDs to spare .xxx participants from needless expense and to ensure the TLDs will be run in the same trustworthy and appropriate ways that .xxx is today."

ICM are going to offer a grandfathering clause to existing .xxx domain owners at no charge. This is a totally unprecedented move in the industry. This means that if and when these 3 new domain extensions appear, holders of a .xxx domain name will have first refusal on the same name in the new extensions. They can choose to do nothing and never have the domains released by the registry or register one or all of the trademarks for a small fee. This is great news for copyright holders who registered their names in .xxx, and could massively reduce the level of cybersquatting in the new Top Level Domain spaces. Also the domain owners have a chance to triple their exposure!

The .xxx domain has so far been a great success. The ICM registry has put in place a number of safeguards to make visitors to .xxx sites safe. This includes a “daily malware scanning” of all .xxx sites. This not only benefits the consumer but also the registrant as it gives them protection against possible cyber-attacks and malicious code.

Domainmonster.com was one of the very first registrars to be appointed as an .xxx domain registrar. We accepted Domain Pre-Orders for all three stages of the domain launch. We hope to be working as closely with ICM again with the new TLDs to offer our customers the chance to register the earliest stage possible.