NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The organization that governs domain names is set to review a proposal Wednesday that would introduce a new dot-xxx ending for adult-entertainment Web sites.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is responsible for making sure every Internet address is unique and valid, will consider the proposal at its board meeting, according to a posting on its Web site.

Stuart Lawley, the British entrepreneur behind the proposal, argues a new dot-xxx Internet neighborhood would protect children by making it easier to filter pornographic and other adult sites, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. He also stands to benefit financially by collecting registration fees for dot-xxx sites, it added.

The dot-xxx proposal has sparked worldwide debate among a range of advocacy groups and has raised questions about the U.S. government's role in running the Internet, according to the report.

Even if ICANN approves the proposal, the Commerce Department could block it, the Journal said.

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