Internet law - e-commerce legal

For many of our clients, the internet is the only, or an important, part of their businesses.

We advise our clients on all aspects of internet law. In fact, there is no self-contained internet law or e-commerce law as such. By internet law or e-commerce law, we really mean the whole range of legal issues which affect can affect businesses trading on the web. (Note: We are solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulations Authority, not merely "legal consultants".)

For example, we often help resolve internet related disputes. See domain name disputes and other internet disputes.

Then there are the internet regulations such as the E-Commerce Regulations and the Distance Selling Regulations. Amongst other things, these internet laws require that internet businesses provide certain information to users and allow consumers with a legal "cooling off" period. See internet regulation for more information.

Another e-commerce legal area concerns compliance with data protection requirements governing the collection and use of personal data via websites. These include the need for appropriate web privacy policies and data protection consent wording, especially if you intend to send marketing emails to customers. This is a constantly developing area of internet law. See internet privacy for more information.

All e-commerce businesses need terms and conditions ie the legal contract applying to your supply of goods or services to your customer. It’s also a good idea to include separate "website terms and conditions" which impose legal conditions on those using your website (ie whether or not they actually buy something from you). See internet terms and conditions.

For many of our e-commerce clients, partnering with other internet businesses in white label or "co-branding" contracts is a critical part of their business model. See white label contracts for more information.

We often advise on the legal side of internet advertising, for example advertising representation agreements and insertion orders, and on web payment provider (PSP) contracts.

Web law can include the legal aspects of creation and maintenance of the company’s website, especially contracts for the design, development and maintenance of the site as well as hosting or co-location arrangements. See web design legal issues and web hosting legal issues for more information.

Or, for a free initial chat and more information about e-commerce law and internet legal issues, call Adam Taylor of Adlex Solicitors on +44 (0) 207 317 8404 or email.