The Washington Post on Companies Protecting Their Domain Names

Two types need to read Firms Fight Back in Site Name Game, those starting businesses and those businesses who have taken no steps to protect their online image.

"Shielding a company's brand from early or negative exposure has become a business unto itself. On the advice of digital brand-management services and lawyers, many companies register thousands of names to protect themselves. Every time they launch products or services, executives have to worry about shielding their moves online from competitors and protecting themselves from users who might sully their brand."

Domain names are a bit more and a bit less than trademarks. You also need to think about cyber-squatting.