Changes

* Local, available, and concise addresses; creating a common identity for institutions, companies and citizens.<ref>[http://www.newdomains.org/newTLDs/dot-berlin-dotberlin newdomains.org]</ref><ref>[https://www.uniteddomains.com/new-top-level-domain/berlin-domain-registration/ uniteddomains]</ref>

* Local, available, and concise addresses; creating a common identity for institutions, companies and citizens.<ref>[http://www.newdomains.org/newTLDs/dot-berlin-dotberlin newdomains.org]</ref><ref>[https://www.uniteddomains.com/new-top-level-domain/berlin-domain-registration/ uniteddomains]</ref>

==DotBERLIN & ICANN==

==DotBERLIN & ICANN==

The company was founded in 2005; at that time [[ICANN]]'s new [[gTLD]] application process was expected to begin in 2009.<ref>[http://dotberlin.com/ dotberlin.com]</ref> This process has been slow to start, and is now expected to move forward in mid-2011.<ref>[http://icann.org/en/minutes/draft-timeline-new-gtlds-18mar11-en.pdf icann.org]</ref> Because of this delay, and the fact that dotBERLIN was prepared for a 2009 launch, they have been asking for special consideration from [[ICANN]] in the delegation process. The fact is that despite dotBERLIN's efforts and plans ICANN could always award the proposed [[.berlin]] extension to another company. Thus, DotBERLIN has asked that "One extra point in the [[Community Priority Evaluation]] should be given if the organization behind an applicantion was already established before the approval of the new gTLDs program by the ICANN Board on 26 June, 2008, or before the first communicated application window in March, 2009".<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2010/07/15/dotberlin-wants-special-status-with-new-gtlds-because-of-its-early-involvement/ DomainNameWire]</ref>

The company was founded in 2005; at that time [[ICANN]]'s new [[gTLD]] application process was expected to begin in 2009.<ref>[http://dotberlin.com/ dotberlin.com]</ref> This process took longer to develop and was finally approved in June, 2011. Because of this delay, and the fact that dotBERLIN was prepared for a 2009 launch, they have been asking for special consideration from [[ICANN]] in the delegation process. The fact is that despite dotBERLIN's efforts and plans, ICANN could always award the proposed [[.berlin]] extension to another company. Thus, DotBERLIN has asked that "One extra point in the [[Community Priority Evaluation]] should be given if the organization behind an applicantion was already established before the approval of the new gTLDs program by the ICANN Board on 26 June, 2008, or before the first communicated application window in March, 2009".<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2010/07/15/dotberlin-wants-special-status-with-new-gtlds-because-of-its-early-involvement/ DomainNameWire]</ref>

The reason they are asking for such special consideration could be due to the fact that specific threats to their proposal have appeared. That is, [[Minds + Machines]] has launched a [[Unite Berlin]] initiative, which is itself lobbying for the .berlin name space, some 6 years after dotBERLIN had already declared its intentions.<ref>[http://www.domainnews.com/en/exclusive-interview-with-dirk-krischenowski-dotberlin-qwe-did-not-ask-minds-a-machines-for-helpq.html DomainNews.com]</ref>

The reason they are asking for such special consideration could be due to the fact that specific threats to their proposal have appeared. That is, [[Minds + Machines]] has launched a [[Unite Berlin]] initiative, which is itself lobbying for the .berlin name space, some 6 years after dotBERLIN had already declared its intentions.<ref>[http://www.domainnews.com/en/exclusive-interview-with-dirk-krischenowski-dotberlin-qwe-did-not-ask-minds-a-machines-for-helpq.html DomainNews.com]</ref>