Changes

One public applicant, [[Big Room Inc.]], has announced a partnership with [[Afilias]] for their back-end and technical needs, and also announced that they intend to apply for the TLD as a [[Community gTLD]]. They have been working with the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Greenpeace, and Conservation International to demonstrate the requisite community support.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/02/06/dot-eco-interview Dot ECO Interview, News.Dot-Nxt.com]</ref>  

One public applicant, [[Big Room Inc.]], has announced a partnership with [[Afilias]] for their back-end and technical needs, and also announced that they intend to apply for the TLD as a [[Community gTLD]]. They have been working with the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Greenpeace, and Conservation International to demonstrate the requisite community support.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/02/06/dot-eco-interview Dot ECO Interview, News.Dot-Nxt.com]</ref>  

===Contention===

===Contention===

.eco was identified as a contentious TLD early on, with the main parties being [[Big Room Inc.]], and [[Dot Eco LLC.]]. Dot Eco LLC was aligned with former Vice-President of the USA, [[Al Gore]], and the Alliance for Climate Protection, the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation. Big Room Inc. was, at that time, associated with Mikhail Gorbachev, the Russian ex-president, and Green Cross International. In August, 2009, the two organizations were going back and forth disparaging the others' business model.<ref>[http://www.domainnews.com/en/dispute-arises-between-eco-tld-bidders.html Dispute Arises Between ECO TLD Bidders, DomainNews.com]</ref>

.eco was identified as a contentious TLD early on, with the main parties being [[Big Room Inc.]], and Dot Eco LLC.. Dot Eco LLC was aligned with former Vice-President of the USA, [[Al Gore]], and the Alliance for Climate Protection, the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation. Big Room Inc. was, at that time, largely associated with Mikhail Gorbachev, the Russian ex-president, and Green Cross International. In August, 2009, the two organizations were going back and forth disparaging the others' business model.<ref>[http://www.domainnews.com/en/dispute-arises-between-eco-tld-bidders.html Dispute Arises Between ECO TLD Bidders, DomainNews.com]</ref>

In September, 2011, it was announced that the Gore supported project, [[Dot Eco LLC.]] was dissolved and no longer planning on applying to ICANN for the .eco TLD.<ref>[http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2112810/al-gore-mikhail-gorbachev-control-eco-domain Al Gore Mikhail Gorbachev Control Eco Domain, BusinessGreen.com]</ref>  

In September, 2011, it was announced that the Gore supported project, Dot Eco LLC. was dissolved and no longer planning on applying to ICANN for the .eco TLD.<ref>[http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2112810/al-gore-mikhail-gorbachev-control-eco-domain Al Gore Mikhail Gorbachev Control Eco Domain, BusinessGreen.com]</ref>  

[[Minds + Machines]] have announced intentions to apply for a [[.eco]] TLD, whether they will do that under their own name or through a client or separate company remains unclear.<ref>[http://www.mindsandmachines.com/tag/dot-eco/ Dot Eco, MindsAndMachines.com]</ref>

[[Minds + Machines]] have announced intentions to apply for a [[.eco]] TLD, whether they will do that under their own name or through a client or separate company remains unclear.<ref>[http://www.mindsandmachines.com/tag/dot-eco/ Dot Eco, MindsAndMachines.com]</ref>