The resident who provided the previous content, if any, has replaced it with this generic statement.

[Qwalyphi Korpov]

The resident who provided the previous content, if any, has replaced it with this generic statement.

[Amethyst Jetaime]

My understanding of this is that one side of the property will remain waterfront.  The Lindens may put another sim there, but if so, no land will adjoin your sim.    It doesn't mean that the other three sides can't be sold or built on, or that any new sim added can't contain some land, such as an island, as long as the protected water side of your property remains open water.

[Marianne McCann]

Generally speaking "Protected" means that there is Linden-owned land or water present. Therefore, the view on that side is "protected" from being somehow "spoiled" by others. This is not 100% the case: there have been instances where the Lindens have sold Protected Land if it fits a particular, mutually agreed to need, but it is highly rare. Let's say 99.44% as opposed to 100%.

There is also often a deliberate misnomer by some sellers, claiming "protected land" or "protected waterfront" on a mainland parcel that faces out into the "void sea." The void sea may indeed be added to, with either a Linden Waterway (there is a lot of that going on) or with additional for sale parcels. An example of such a void sea can be seen to the south and west of the Bay City regions, which are set for possible future expansion.

[Jenni Darkwatch]

Personally I'd call it protected if there is literally protected water (i.e. owned by Governor Linden and named as protected) on the advertised side.

Otherwise it'd be more appropriate to call it "edge sim" or somesuch I guess.