[EvangelicalPig]

How many hoops do you need to jump through (as a small to medium size company), to get an account at MarkMonitor, CSC or another one of those "brand protection" companies?

Over the past 5 or so years I have noticed "previously safe" registrars (in terms of resistance to false abuse/DMCA complaints or social engineering attacks) get acquired by larger corporate interests and sometimes have a drop in quality as a result. MarkMonitor was acquired by a venture capital firm a few years ago as well. Good to have backup options on the table.

(Before you ask. I am aware of the added costs of such services, and I don't have much faith in consumer registrars anymore.)

[toomuchtodo]

Enough hoops that it’s a pain but not so many I wouldn’t recommend it. You want your domain management behind a door with a sign that says “beware of the leopard.”

There are no great registrars, just registrars that suck less. I recommend Godaddy to no one.

[phendrenad2]

Industry ripe for YCombinator disruption, anyone? ;~)