The creation of a new .xxx domain, which would be dedicated exclusively to websites containing pornographic content, has finally been given the go ahead by ICANN.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has been reviewing the need for such a move for years but hinted that it could become a reality in June last year.
At a meeting in San Francisco last Friday, the board voted nine to three in favour of the new domain.
The move would effectively create an online red light district.
"This decision represents a difficult, careful balance, weighing the extensive community advice both for and against the registry agreement, as well as maintaining adherence to proper and documented process," said ICANN in a statement.
The first .xxx websites should be live by June or July of this year. Stuart Lawley, CEO of ICM Registry, said, "For the first time, there will be a clearly defined web address for adult entertainment, further out of the reach of minors and as free as possible from fraud or computer viruses."
