Selling a newly minted stock short isn't a much discussed strategy outside of Wall Street trader circles, but it is a common practice.

WSJ: Some Facebook Underwriters Helped Short Sellers

The press conference, scheduled for 2:15 PM ET following the release of the FOMC statement at 12:30 PM, is the first of its kind by a Fed chief, though it is common practice for other central banks including the ECB.

FORBES: Markets Await Bernanke's Historic Moment

According to a new report by congressional investigators, an insurance company practice of retroactively canceling health insurance is fairly common, and it saves insurers a lot of money.

NPR: Insurers Revoke Policies To Avoid Paying High Costs

It is common practice for large companies in Japan to list their subsidiaries on the stock market, while maintaining a controlling stake thereafter.

FORBES: Do Inefficient Stock Markets Drive Bad Corporate Governance?

Impersonating someone else to obtain phone records is generally illegal in California, where HP is based, though it's common practice for licensed investigators who are assigned to, say, chase down a fugitive from the law.

FORBES: Magazine Article