Changes

IBM sells its offerings and services in over 190 countries around the world. IBM’s business spans the manufacture of computer products, computer parts, software, servers, and related technology, and the provision of consulting and system integration services, including design and installation of computer systems, servers and software, and trouble-shooting and maintenance services.  In 2011, IBM was ranked the 18th largest firm in the United States by Fortune magazine and the 31st largest by Forbes.  Other rankings this year include #1 company for leaders (Fortune), #2 best global brand (Interbrand, for the fourth year in a row), #1 green company (Newsweek), #12 most admired company (Fortune), and #29 most innovative company (Fast Company).     

IBM sells its offerings and services in over 190 countries around the world. IBM’s business spans the manufacture of computer products, computer parts, software, servers, and related technology, and the provision of consulting and system integration services, including design and installation of computer systems, servers and software, and trouble-shooting and maintenance services.  In 2011, IBM was ranked the 18th largest firm in the United States by Fortune magazine and the 31st largest by Forbes.  Other rankings this year include #1 company for leaders (Fortune), #2 best global brand (Interbrand, for the fourth year in a row), #1 green company (Newsweek), #12 most admired company (Fortune), and #29 most innovative company (Fast Company).     

Mission ⁄ Purpose of the .IBM gTLD:  The intended mission and purpose of the .IBM TLD is to provide clarity, authenticity and logic to the IBM brand’s many parts including business units, geographic divisions, products, services, and applications, and to create an intuitive web identity for the company, its employees and departments, and its customers, vendors and business partners (“IBM Users”).  Websites that are launched using .IBM domain names will be able to reflect and differentiate among IBM’s various markets and product architecture, likely incorporating either descriptive identifiers or IBM trademarks, i.e. software.ibm, smarterplanet.ibm, smartcloud.ibm, etc.  Domain names under the .IBM TLD may be used to denote separation between traditional Internet marketing sites and consumable applications or services.  In addition, use of the TLD will enable the company to strengthen and preserve its brand name and reputation, and provide IBM Users with a trusted space that will ensure they are accessing IBM and are not falling victim to piracy or other internet schemes.  IBM is not intending to use the TLD to sell domain names or host third party websites, however in certain instances URLs under the TLD may point to content on third party servers.  There will initially be no registrants of the .IBM TLD other than the IBM Corporation, and access will only be provided to verified IBM Users.  The .IBM TLD will be a closed registry."<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1622 Application Download, gTLDresult.ICANN.org] Retrieved 21 Feb 2013</ref>

Mission ⁄ Purpose of the .IBM gTLD:  The intended mission and purpose of the .IBM TLD is to provide clarity, authenticity and logic to the IBM brand’s many parts including business units, geographic divisions, products, services, and applications, and to create an intuitive web identity for the company, its employees and departments, and its customers, vendors and business partners (“IBM Users”).  Websites that are launched using .IBM domain names will be able to reflect and differentiate among IBM’s various markets and product architecture, likely incorporating either descriptive identifiers or IBM trademarks, i.e. software.ibm, smarterplanet.ibm, smartcloud.ibm, etc.  Domain names under the .IBM TLD may be used to denote separation between traditional Internet marketing sites and consumable applications or services.  In addition, use of the TLD will enable the company to strengthen and preserve its brand name and reputation, and provide IBM Users with a trusted space that will ensure they are accessing IBM and are not falling victim to piracy or other Internet schemes.  IBM is not intending to use the TLD to sell domain names or host third party websites, however in certain instances URLs under the TLD may point to content on third party servers.  There will initially be no registrants of the .IBM TLD other than the IBM Corporation, and access will only be provided to verified IBM Users.  The .IBM TLD will be a closed registry."<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1622 Application Download, gTLDresult.ICANN.org] Retrieved 21 Feb 2013</ref>

==Contract signed==

==Contract signed==