The idea has been around for some time, and an application for running a .xxx domain was made in late-2000, when the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) increased the number of top level domains to meet the growing demand for names.
The application was not successful but received support from those who saw the distinct top level domain as an ideal way to separate underage internet surfers from pornographic content.
In fact the .xxx domain exists at present, but not in the form of a top level domain. This means that the sites using the unofficial domain cannot be reached by the entire internet browsing community, only those who have a particular plug-in - a piece of software that redirects the user's internet browser when the .xxx extension is entered.
According to Wired News, the concept of an exclusively adult domain is again surfacing as the industry wakes up to the fact that it will either have to start regulating itself, or it will be forced to take regulatory measures that are not to its liking.
Jason Hendeles, president of Internet Content Management Registry – the consortium that made the original application to ICANN told Wired News, "The vision here is not to force the adult community to give up dot.com or abandon that space, because that's not a possible thing". He added, "This would be a voluntary adult domain registry."
Bill Lyon, Executive director of the industry's biggest trade group, the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), told Wired News, "The experience of most of our members is that any attempt to put a fence around adult entertainment tends to lead to more and more restrictions". But he recognised that Congress was likely to step in if the industry did not take steps to self-regulate.
As a result the .xxx proposal is being put to members of the coalition next month. So far, ICANN has made no comment on the renewed proposal.