>> Could someone please explain to me the difference between branding
>> and domain name ownership?
Off the top of my head, one key difference is that domain names are
inherently unique, while there can be many different products of the same
name. There can be only one <ford.com.au>, yet there are Ford pills, Ford
motorvehicles, and probably even Ford Fish Food.
Brands are within contexts of the product market, while domain names are
within contexts of geo/socio-graphical hierarchies.
Unfortunately, it seems that various lawyers and the like are steadfastly
ignoring that fact in their pursuit of litigation and cease & desist
orders :-(
(Could that be construed as 'abuse of process'?)
e.