Cyberlaw 101

You've already realised how effective the Internet is in helping you advertise your company.
But just as you can network, develop new contacts, and generate leads using the Internet's different features, such as the web, email, chat, and newsgroups, you can also quickly land yourself in trouble due to legal issues and obstacles.

For individuals who behave carelessly or unintentionally, conducting business online can be laden with legal pitfalls.
In certain cases, the regulations that regulate our online behaviour are explicit and mirror those that control our actions in the actual world.
In other situations, the Internet remains a "grey area," and laws will be developed based on the results of legal proceedings.


Although circumstances and regulations apply in different countries vary, the following advice may help you avoid problems:

1. Registering a domain name does not shield you from legal challenges to the validity of its usage.
Many website owners have been shocked to learn that a corporation believes their domain name to be a trademark infringement.
Conduct adequate searches before registering, and think about trademarking your own domain name, to avoid issues in this area.
You can analyse your possibilities with the aid of companies that register domain names.

2. If you copy the material, images, layout, name, look, or feel of another website without their express consent, you run the risk of violating their copyright.
An international copyright convention has been ratified by a number of nations, including the US, Canada, and others, and it safeguards copyright in signatory nations.
If you are found to have violated copyright, your punishment may range from being requested to remove the infringing material to whatever amount of money a judge deems appropriate.

3. You may be held responsible for content uploaded by visitors to your website if it has message boards or chat rooms.
Check your forums and chats frequently, and delete any information that can cause issues to lessen the likelihood of issues.
Anything that could be construed as libellous, encourages hatred, could be considered adult content (although you do not have an adult site), could be interpreted as threatening or harassing to others, or that supports an unlawful activity are all things to be on the lookout for.

4. Steer clear of any promotional claims that are forbidden or illegal in other media.Be very cautious if your website promotes adult entertainment, tobacco, prescription drugs, financial services, gambling, or alcohol.

5. Avoid deep linking and enclosing the target website in your frames when linking to another website.Because links drive traffic and raise their site's rating with some search engines, the majority of website owners appreciate links to their sites.An owner will very rarely object if you link without their permission.You are not completely secure, though.Illegal connection has been the subject of legal disputes.Make sure you link to the home page rather than an inner page, and code the website to open in a new window rather than within your frames to reduce your chances of getting into problems.

6. Establish Internet and email guidelines for your staff.You could be held accountable if one of your employees is accused of distributing MP3 files that are protected by copyright or sending harassing emails while at work, for instance.A simple email policy that states that your staff must use email responsibly can help to safeguard you from potential issues.

7. Make sure you are working with a reliable company when buying bundled content for distribution and publication.
Companies have occasionally sold packaged content without the consent or knowledge of the content providers.
If you use these products, you are breaking the law and putting yourself in danger.

Please keep in mind that none of the advice provided here constitutes legal advice.
Legal advice should be sought for issues unique to your case.

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