Does your website need a legal audit?

Every business has or should have a website, but the Internet can be a legal minefield.

The law of cyberspace, although founded on traditional concepts of law, is constantly changing and the laws that apply in the “real world” can apply equally to online business.

Do you know if:

• Your website includes all statutory and regulatory notices applicable to your business?
• You comply with the notice requirements under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000?
• Your website infringes anyone else’s rights such as copyright, trade marks or even patents?
• All contractual terms and conditions are properly binding on users of your website?
• You own or have a valid licence of all content and software used in your website?
• You are fully protecting the intellectual property in your website?
• Users are posting material onto your website’s chat rooms or message boards and what your liability might be for material that is defamatory or infringes someone else’s rights?
• The content of your website complies with the laws of every country from which it can be accessed, such as laws relating to advertising, prize draws and special offers?
• Your website includes all appropriate disclaimers which can help to minimise your liability?
• Your website complies with the Distance Selling Regulations?

If the answer to any of these questions is "no" you may be exposing yourself to the risk of breaching the law. Perhaps you should think about having your website legally audited before it’s too late.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s Media and Technology Group is experienced in auditing websites for legal compliance. Minimise the risk - is your website legal or a liability?

If you would like to take advantage of Shepherd and Wedderburn's website compliance audit please contact Joanna Boag-Thomson or Alison White.