ICM Registry: New .XXX Domains Selling for Record-Setting Prices

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL—ICM Registry, the company behind the .XXX top-level domain (TLD) has sold the domain name, Gay.xxx at a record-setting price for any new domain as part of a special pre-Landrush sale, it was announced today by Stuart Lawley, CEO of ICM Registry. Gay.xxx was purchased by Corbin Fisher, one of the world’s leading gay production studios, for $500,000, the highest price ever paid for a domain name in any extension pre-launch.  This is also the 5th highest sale price of any domain name sold in 2011 and one of the top 30 most expensive domain names sold in the last 3 years, according to DNJournal.com, a top domain industry news source. ICM has now sold nine premium .XXX domain names for $100,000 or more, which is unparalleled in any other domain launch and reports that there are many other similar deals in progress. “Domain names in most other TLDs typically sell for 1-10% of the value of their .com equivalent. The .XXX names are already selling for 30-40% and we are just getting started,” said Lawley. Several special pre-Landrush auctions have been planned to give all interested parties the opportunity to bid on premium domain names.  These names will have the advantage of benefitting from highly competitive search traffic. The first auction with GFY Domain Auctions operated by HuntingMoon.com features such domains as Girlfriends.xxx and Fantasy.xxx ends today, October 6th, at 4:20pm PST.  The next auction will take place at the upcoming T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Conference on October 16-19, which will include the following domain names, some of which feature starting reserve prices of $0. "I'm thrilled to announce Liberty Media Holding's acquisition of the domain Gay.xxx.” said Jason Gibson, CEO of Corbin Fisher and parent company, Liberty Media Holdings. “We have some innovative plans for making this the one-stop web destination for all things related to gay adult entertainment." ICM Registry launched with a 50-day Sunrise period on September 7th, during which all registered brand and trademark holders can purchase their corresponding domain names. Now, halfway through the Sunrise period, the company has received more than double the number of applications anticipated and is gearing up for the 17-day Landrush period, beginning on November 8, that provides access to premium .XXX domain names they couldn’t apply for during Sunrise. “We are elated by the demand for .XXX domain names,” said Lawley. “The number of applications and the record prices paid demonstrate the high value and extraordinary potential placed on the world’s most exciting new top level domain. We are looking forward to opening the Landrush period and urge both adult and non-adult companies to contact their registrars without delay because domains will go quickly.”