Internet Attorney

As an Internet attorney, I have unique insights into internet law. Why? I am not just an internet lawyer. I own other sites that have nothing to do with being an internet attorney.

Internet Law

The Internet is a fairly amazing phenomenon. Given the amount we all use it these days, it can be easy to forget the web was barely a blip on the map as few as 15 years ago. Once known as the wild wild web, things have changed dramatically. There are plenty of guidelines you now have to comply with whether you are just starting out or are a large e-commerce site. 

The problem with complying with all the laws surrounding the internet is they are evolving all the time and there are new ones coming down the pipe nearly every month. The FTC is issuing rulings on everything from testimonials to shipping to statements made on a site that you must comply with. Congress is passing new laws related to protecting content online, laws you must comply with as well. There are laws on emailing, testimonials, videos and, well, everything. How many of them do you know? Probably few to none because, frankly, that's not why you are in business online. This is why you hire an internet lawyer – to keep tabs of the developments. 

Internet Lawyer

I'll be honest. I find most website to be a disaster waiting to happen. They are set up incorrectly, are completely unprotected and violate a host of online requirements. Heck, many sites will even have terms and conditions that they swiped from another site! Not only is this a copyright violation, but stealing from an attorney isn't exactly a smart move. Talk about a disaster waiting to happen!

While every online business is different, there is a general list of things each usually needs. They include:

1. Business entity strategy to protect against personal liability for business debts.

2. Legal documentation assuring parties working on site will do a good job, do it on time and transfer all relevant intellectual property rights to you, the owners.

3. Creation of necessary electronic contracting procedures and documents if you intend to sell directly on your site.

4. Creation of necessary legal statements for sites including disclaimers, terms, privacy policies and so on.

5. Filing of necessary copyrights and trademarks, which is a necessary step before enforcing the same if someone steals your content online [and they will!] 

6. Monitoring the web for sites ripping your content off. 

The above really represents a minimum of what is needed to get your business up and running online from a legal perspective. Failure to take these steps leaves you wide open to claims against you. Failure to protect your intellectual property leaves you open to having someone steal it and repost it on a different domain, a move that will hurt you in the search engine rankings and with customers. 

If you fly by your pants online from a legal perspective, you are going to crash and burn. Contact me today at 619-637-6043 or feel free to browse the following subjects.