[2][3] 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 .berlin domains strengthen the feeling of community amongst Berliners, improve communication, and make interaction easier, thus providing a stimulus for innovation and development.

[4]On July 9, 2009, dotBERLIN managing director Dirk Krischenowski filed an application for a City Top-Level Domain Constituency, an interest group at ICANN.

[8] 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.