ICANN, the internet regulatory body, had plans for an .xxx domain specifically for adult content. However, yesterday the vote was 9 to 5 against the domain.
The idea behind the .xxx domain was that it would be easier to keep adult content from other domains, so that no one would inadvertently stumble upon sex sites. The counter argument was that this domain would legitimize pornography. And the porn industry thought it might lead to censorship, and proposed a kid-friendly domain in its stead.
Representatives of the EU have accused the US of politically interfering with ICANN.
Just days before the vote was to take place, the US government stepped in with objections to the domain which the government received from both conservative groups and pornography sites. The vote was subsequently delayed.
The EU and the US have battled before over ICANN. The EU claims that ICANN is deliberately slow in introducing non-English language domains, giving more attention to English language domains. Last year, the EU lost the struggle to gain power over ICANN, now still controlled by the US.
ICM, who came with the proposal, can still object to the decision by ICANN.