.XXX domain goes limp

Plans to create an .XXX domain for porn sites on the internet have been rejected by the governing body, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The decision reverses preliminary approval for the online Red Light Zone given last June following fierce opposition from conservative groups, leading porn sites and fears over a global legal backlash against ICAAN.

Advocates for the .XXX domain claimed the new domain would make porn easier to find and also easier to avoid. However, opponents pointed out that since signing up to .XXX was voluntary there was no guarantee that pornographers would move their sites off the already very lucrative, mainstream web.

The .XXX domain was voted down nine to five by ICANN members and ends a six year struggle by ICM Registry, which proposed the domain name and aimed to run it.

In a statement, ICANN chief executive Paul Twomey said: 'The heart of the decision today was not driven by a political consideration.'