The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has approved an adult rated top level domain .xxx for adult entertainment on the Internet.  It has signed an agreement with the ICM Registry to manage the .xxx domain level.

Sunrise Period:

On Sept. 7, 2011, .XXX registrations began with a 50 day Sunrise period that gives both adult and non-adult organizations an exclusive timeframe to register or exempt their brands from the .XXX level domain – this period ends on October 28, 2011. ICM Registry is working with over 50 individual domain registrars around the world who are handling the registration process for .XXX level domain.

Dispute Resolution Policies:

.XXX domain names are subject to the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy as well as the RES or Rapid Evaluation Service procedure which are designed to provide swift remedies involving clear abuses of well known trade-marks for those who have not taken advantage of the opt-out procedures or were denied opt-out rights.  

Registered Trade-mark:

Trade-mark must be the subject of a valid Canadian or international trade-mark application granted before Sept. 1, 2011 (i.e. U.S. State trade-marks or unregistered marks do not count) and either be identical or confusing similarity to the .XXX domain name.

October 28, 2011 Deadline:

Trade-mark and brand owners should file for .XXX domain name blocking procedures with their trade-mark lawyers before the October 28, 2011 deadline.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.