.berlin

{{Short description|Internet top-level domain}}

{{Multiple issues|

{{update|date=February 2014}}

{{notability|date=December 2021}}

}}

{{Infobox Top level domain|

name=.berlin|

image=DotBerlin gTLD logo.png|

introduced=March 18, 2014|

type=GeoTLD|

status=Delegated|

registry=dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG |

sponsor=dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG|

intendeduse=Citizens, companies, and institutions of {{flag|Berlin}}|

actualuse=|

restrictions=[https://dot.berlin/registrierungsregeln-policies Policies]|

structure=Registrations are being taken directly at second level|

document=[http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/berlin ICANN registry agreement]|

disputepolicy=UDRP|

website=[http://www.dot.berlin/ dotBERLIN]||dnssec=Yes}}

.berlin (dotBERLIN) is an approved top-level domain (TLD) for the Internet. It is a community-based sponsored top-level domain for Berliners. According to the dotBERLIN Organization, .berlin will allow all Berliners to register their domains under .berlin {{cite web|url=http://www.circleid.com/posts/87239_global_city_top_level_domains/|title=New Paper Discusses Global City TLD's in the Public Interest}}

Along with TLDs such as .cat and .asia, .berlin and other new TLDs fall into the new category of GeoTLDs. The issue of new top level domains in general and .berlin in particular has been discussed at various ICANN-Meetings since 2005.{{cite web |url=http://gsa.icann.org/search?q=dotberlin&site=icann&client=icann&proxystylesheet=icann&output=xml_no_dtd |title=ICANN email archives |accessdate=2012-08-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120709120157/http://gsa.icann.org/search?q=dotberlin&site=icann&client=icann&proxystylesheet=icann&output=xml_no_dtd |archivedate=2012-07-09 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.citytld.com/literature.htm|title=Literature and Discussion about cityTLDs and geoTLDs|date=March 2008|website=cityTLD|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604201126/http://www.citytld.com/literature.htm|archive-date=June 4, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=March 3, 2019}}

A statement by proponents of the .berlin proposal reads thus:

.berlin is the independent top-level domain of the community of Berliners (on) the Internet. The local addresses available with this are concise and create an identity for citizens, companies, and institutions. Those providing and looking for information, goods, and services can thus intuitively come together. The .berlin domains strengthen the feeling of community amongst Berliners, improve communication, and make interaction easier, thus providing a stimulus for innovation and development. Both for Berliners and for non-Berliners, places called Berlin become more attractive as a place to visit, as a commercial location and as a place to live.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotberlin.de/en/company|title=Website for the .berlin campaign|access-date=2007-09-03|archive-date=2007-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016124016/http://dotberlin.de/en/company|url-status=dead}}

On July 9, 2009, dotBERLIN managing director Dirk Krischenowski filed an application for a City Top-Level Domain Constituency, an interest group at ICANN.{{cite web |title=City Top-Level Domain Constituency Board Petition |publisher=ICANN |url=https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_6308/ctldc-petition-charter-redacted-01jun09.pdf}} This interest group was the precursor of the Brussels-based GeoTLD Group AISBL, that was formed in September 2016 and whose mission is to "Promoting Digital Identities for Cities, Regions, Language and Culture on the Internet".{{cite web|url=https://geotld.group/about-geotld-group/|title=GeoTLD Group Website}}

On October 31, 2013, dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG signed a registry agreement with ICANN for .berlin.{{cite web|url=http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/berlin|title=.berlin Registry Agreement|publisher=ICANN|date=October 31, 2013|accessdate=November 5, 2013}} berlin officially launched on March 18, 2014. Managing director of dotBERLIN is Dirk Krischenowski.{{cite web|url=http://dirk.krischenowski.berlin|title=Homepage Dirk Krischenowski}}

In October 2018, dotBERLIN founded the nonprofit initiative Kiezhelden to support the local dealers. “Kiez” – that is a German word that refers to a city neighborhood, a relatively small community within a larger town. The second part of Kiezhelden, the word “Helden”, is the German word for “hero”. Kiezhelden.berlin aims to strengthen the small boutiques, handicraft shops, restaurants, cafés, and local service providers in Berlin's neighborhoods in order to help the neighborhoods to remain as colorful and vibrant as they are.{{cite web|url=https://geotld.group/local-heros-berlins-initiative-for-a-strong-retail-and-thriving-neighbourhoods|title=Kiezhelden Initiative|date=20 April 2021 }}