Today the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) added the top level domain .xxx to the root nameservers in preparation for the full launch. A few domains are already resolving, such as SEX.xxx and XXX.xxx, with more expected to once DNS propagation has completed. Although the final availability date has not been set, some registrars have already started accepting registrations and the ICM has been allowing users to reserve certain domains for a couple of months.
The XXX domain has seen its fair share of problems since it was first suggested. Because of the issues that arose, there was a long 'public opinion' review issued by ICANN and meetings between the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) and ICANN over ICM's "controversial application for approval of a .xxx top-level domain."
The ICM has already said that the new domains will only be available to those working within the adult industry and not general public. To that degree, "the contract will require anyone registering a .XXX domain to complete an application process endorsed and overseen by the International Foundation for Online Responsibility (IFFOR)," and "being that as a sponsored TLD, .XXX domain names will only be available to the adult entertainment industry."
People in favor of the domain have previously said that the obvious benefit to having a dedicated porn domain is that it will make it easier for parents to filter out adult content in order to protect their children, however this may not work unless every dot com moves over, which, according to the contract requirements for .xxx, may not be possible.
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