FB has no ability to control where third-parties put the like button, but the functionality itself is very useful.

I can't agree that it's an invasion of privacy- If I follow Dell on Twitter, I see everything Dell posts. That's the point.

If I "like" Dell on Facebook, I see everything Dell posts. Again, that's the entire idea.

You can argue the name isn't perfect, but neither is "Follow", for that matter. Subscribe, perhaps.

Take a look the HELP section- There is a big button for the Like feature, and what it means.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/help/?faq=17115

What does it mean to "Like" a Page? When you click "Like" on a Page, you are making a connection to that Page. The Page will be displayed in your profile, and in turn, you will be displayed on the Page as a person who likes that Page. The Page will also be able to post content into your News Feed.