LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY nebris)

theinquirer.net

Tie me up tie me down

By Nick Farrell: Monday 22 May 2006, 06:26

AN OUTFIT which was behind an idea to bring in a .XXX domain name as a virtual red light district has sued the US government for using strong arm tactics to shoot down the idea.

ICM Registry is suing Department of Commerce and the Department of State for access to documents it claims show the US pressured ICANN into rejecting the domain.

The lawsuit will claim that the US "exerted undue political influence on ICANN's consideration of the .xxx domain application" which is illegal.

So far the documents seen by ICM include emails show that National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reversed its backing of the .xxx application, after lobbying from conservative groups, then set about trying to persuade foreign governments to back its position.

ICM claims the documents show that the US government "solicit[ed] foreign government intervention to achieve DoC's domestic political goals".

One of the people it wanted to appease were the Family Research Council and Focus On The Family, which are two right-wing outfits run by radio host James Dobson.

Dobson was responsible for winning Bush a lot of anti-gay votes in the last election and there is an indication in the emails that the NTIA was scared of him.

One email said that "What really matters in this mess is Jim Dobson… What he says on his radio program in the morning will determine how ugly this really gets." Apparently he did weigh in against the .XXX and his listeners all sent in emails complaining about the idea.

Whether or not the .XXX porn idea would have worked, the emails show dependant supposedly independent organisations like ICANN is in fear of the US's so called moral majority.

..via mimisoliel in orgasmoids