After widespread decade-long discussions over setting aside an Internet domain for adult content, Internet pornography finally became `official' on Tuesday, with the splendid opening of the .xxx domain.

It was in 2000 and then again in 2004, that proposals for an `adult content only' site were put before the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN); but conservative groups have been widely opposing such a move.

While for some people, the opening of the official .xxx domain for adult content is apparently the best move in favor of Internet porn, some others are of the opinion that the move is a `dangerous' one which will have a lot of negative outcomes.

Amid the debate over the pros and cons of a domain for adults-specific content, ICANN has given the `.xxx' suffix its due approval as a "top-level domain" address last year. The move by ICANN marked the acknowledgement of the fact that adult content had become common on the Web and there was need to organize it more safely.

Noting that Internet an abode for all kinds of content, appropriate across a wide range of ages and values, ICM Registry - which hands out the new domain names - said in a statement on its website that adult content is "here to stay."

ICM Registry also added that the adult entertainment industry has been accounting for a large amount of porn content and said that "while it is enjoyed by some, it is not suitable, or of interest, to all Internet users."