The porn.com domain has been sold for over $9.5m, making it one of the most expensive in the history of the internet.

The domain was bought by MXN Ltd from domain name broker Moniker.com after some delicate negotiations.

MXN Ltd is a web media and investment firm affiliated with adult movie download site Downloadpass.com and adult website promotion company Pimproll.com.

"The sale of porn.com further reinforces the growing trend of businesses that place a high strategic value on generic domains related to their industry," said Monte Cahn, co-founder and chief executive at Moniker.com.

"Porn.com will prove to be a valuable asset for MXN Ltd because of its significant number of daily visitors, established type-in traffic and being the top domain in the adult industry."

The most paid for a domain was $12m for sex.com in 2005. Ownership took years to establish after a fraudster forged documents to transfer it into his name and made millions before being caught. The final hearings into the affair are still being held.

"We will take our time with porn.com. The possibilities are limitless," said a representative of MXN Ltd.

"To rush its development just to get something brand new 'live' would be foolish. We will carefully evaluate our options before we decide the direction we wish to take."