Who controls your domain name?

I know what a domain name is... but what are the different levels of domain names all about?

• The first level is the very end of the name, such as .com, .org, or .net. 
• The second level is what you put right before that, such as reignyourdomain.org, zyzyk.net, or aswas.com. 
• Third level domain names are subsets of the second level, such as search.yahoo.com or emerald.tufts.edu.

Oh boy, this is a great way to get taken. 
Internet/web companies disguising their evil will tell you they will help you register your domain name.
This should cost no more than the InterNIC's fee - anything else, and you're being taken.
But, where they REALLY get you is by registering YOUR name to THEM!
Imagine forming a company, and letting your lawyer write on all the documentation that he/she owns the company. That's what this is like.
What's the best way to avoid this?
Fill out the domain name registration form yourself.
You can do that on our Domain Registration page.

The InterNIC recognizes the registrant of each domain as the Organization listed in section 3 of the domain template.
The Organization has the final say in matters of domain name disputes.
However, the Administrative Contact, Technical Contact, and Billing Contact do have specific responsibilities.
It is most important that the correct Organization information be listed in section 3 of the domain template during initial registration.