YNOT EUROPE – U.S.-based adult industry trade association Free Speech Coalition has e-published Adult Business Guide to .XXX … Buyer Beware, a PDF document the organization hopes will provide “important information to any online business owners that may be considering purchase of dot-xxx domains.”

FSC has opposed dot-xxx for nearly a decade. Recent discussions between FSC staff and online business owners indicate a need for clarification of the dot-xxx registration process, Executive Director Diane Duke said. Confusion and mixed messages about pricing and the application process have created a difficult situation for business owners.

“Buyers Beware!” Duke said. “FSC created this guide to help you read the fine print and understand the scope of your purchase. It is important for adult businesses to be able to see through all of the smoke and mirrors provided by ICM [Registry] and some of it registrars. Hopefully, this guide will help business owners get to the truth.”

The 12-page guide defines the various registration periods and outlines registrars’ prices for domains during those periods.

“Adult online businesses should be aware that registration fees for dot-xxx addresses are non-refundable,” Duke said. “If an application is rejected, fees will not be returned and you will not be registered for a dot-xx address.”

In addition, Duke indicated FSC’s staff has attempted to demystify ICM policies prospective purchasers should review before completing a dot-xxx application. Education is of paramount importance when it comes to dot-xxx, Duke noted, so particular care was taken in presenting an analysis of factors the organization feels are likely to contribute to a rapid decline in the value of dot-xxx domains.

Important points for adult business owners also include defining what ICM and its affiliated registrars may recognize as a “trademarked” name.

“For example, if you have trademarked ‘SexyChicks.com’ under [the early registration periods for trademark owners], you do not have preferred status for purchasing ‘SexyChicks.xxx,’” Duke explained. “You would only be able eligible to buy or block ‘SexyChickscom.xxx.’”

She added that dot-xxx domain names adult businesses may have thought they had rights to because they own a similar string in dot-com or another space may have been reserved by ICM for auction to the highest bidder.

In a recent debate between Duke and ICM Chief Executive Stuart Lawley, some previously obscure details about dot-xxx registration came to light, Duke noted.

“While Lawley provided general answers to questions on policy bylaws and contractual clauses for dot-xxx, he was unable to clarify many points for me and those in attendance,” she said.

An hour-long video of the debate is available here. At one point, the CEO of registrar DomainMonster states dot-xxx domains will cost $79 per year if purchased through his company, correcting Duke for misquoting DomainMonster’s price.

“What he failed to add is that the $79 price is available only under the ‘General Availability’ [registration] period, for those willing to sign a 25-year contract,” Duke said.

Copies of Adult Business Guide to .XXX … Buyer Beware, written in American English, are downloadable in PDF format at the FSC blog. The document also may be requested by calling 818-348-9373 or emailing Communication and Membership Director Joanne Cachapero.