Evangelical Baptist Missions Inc., based in Indianapolis, filed a federal lawsuit in late January against the Beracha Foundation, a not-for-profit information technology company in Ohio, alleging conversion, unjust enrichment and violation of the anti-cybersquatting act. The suit charges that Beracha refuses to relinquish control of EBM’s Internet domains and website functions unless it receives certain payments.

Many businesses find themselves in similar predicaments because they let outside consultants hold the keys to their online presence, said Kenan Farrell, an Indianapolis Internet and intellectual-property lawyer. Companies need to make sure they have possession of their domain names and any other administrative ...