I'm with Tefka. Companies should not matter at all. Because even in the state things are in now, if the planet your company is on gets invaded and the invaders win, you'll have to suck up being in enemy territory. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that is the reality of it. A reset would be absolutely no different where companies are involved.
Now while I am generally in favor of the reset as it will give newer factions a chance to grow in places where old (and dare I say almost non existent "large" factions) currently hold sway but are doing nothing with, I am finding that a suggestion by [member="sabrina"] I believe it was, where a faction can claim 1 planet per member might be a fair compromise. Looking at the member counts of the major factions, the biggest ones should theoretically have no issue whatsoever producing enough members to retain most if not all of their current planets. If they cannot, then their sphere of influence should be diminished to the appropriate number.
We could even give the factions choice of what planets they wish to retain. As long as they are all connected to each other of course. No planet here and a planet there, but no I don't want anything in the middle. Also a high turnout rate will NOT get a smaller major faction extra planets that they haven't already dominioned.
In this way the major factions can keep their planets if they can prove they have enough people. But it doesn't just wipe out all their planets like a full reset would. And more than likely territory will open up for the smaller factions to allow expansion when some planets are lost to the majors that can't turn out good support. Everyone is more or less happy.
In regards the second galaxy...I think this is a bad idea. No offense HK. But a second galaxy with no current planets or history will have a very small following I think. Especially considering tons of new worlds would first have to be made anyway. And even then, they are a blank slate with no history, no civilization. Nothing to really draw people in who don't want to explore and colonize new worlds.