NEW YORK, NY – The board of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has again delayed final approval of the .xxx Top Level Domain, instead deciding to seek changes in its proposed contract with ICM Registry, Inc. The board has not revealed any details concerning the changes they are seeking to the contract.The proposed new TLD has met with much opposition from within the adult industry, as well as from the far right of the political spectrum, from Christian and family organizations, who fear that .xxx may serve to “legitimize” pornography.

While ICANN suspended making a final decision on .xxx, the board did approve a “.cat” suffix for companies, organizations and individuals that use and promote the Catalan language and culture – a relatively controversy-free new extension when compared to the divisive .xxx issue.

ICANN had given .xxx a preliminary thumbs-up back in June, but decided to reconsider approval of the new TLD in mid-August, after the US Commerce Department and other branches of the Bush administration voiced concern.

“The volume of correspondence opposed to creation of a .xxx (domain) is unprecedented,” Commerce Department assistant secretary Michael Gallagher said in August. “Given the extent of the negative reaction, I request that the board (provide) adequate additional time for these concerns to be voiced and addressed before any additional action takes place.”