After I register a domain name, am I the “owner” of that domain name?

People often use the word “own” in everyday speech but technically domain names are NOT “owned”.

There are no proprietary rights in the domain name system. A registrant does not “own” a domain name. Instead, the registrant holds a licence to use a domain name, for what is usually a two year period under certain terms and conditions. It is not possible to pre-register or otherwise reserve a domain name.