5 REASONS YOU NEED A TECHNOLOGY ATTORNEY FOR YOUR BUSINESS WEBSITE

SwiftLaw — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 08:04:40 +0000

Whether you like it or not, if you conduct any type of business activity online there are information technology laws affecting you. Are your current practices are exposing your business to potential liability? Here are 5 reasons you need a technology attorney if you have a business website:

1. Domains

Secured your domain name? Thinking – wow that was easy. Think again. Having a company website / online store in this day and age is becoming vital to the success of any organisation and securing your domain name is the first step. However, once your e-commerce business starts to flourish, competitors and online criminals might be looking to take advantage of your success. It is important to obtain legal advice from a specialist in technology law to ensure that your website domain name is protected. Click here to read more about the importance of domain names.

2. Trademarks

What’s in a name? whether you’re a start-up about to commercialise or an established company in the market – now is the time to consider if features that define your business are capable of trademark protection. A distinctive name goes a long way in doing so.

3. Web Developing

Imagine spending thousands on your website, only for your web developer to hold it hostage. Therefore, web development contracts are a must! The contract must clearly state that upon final payment for services rendered you will have 100% ownership of all assets which may include web design, images, code and content. Make sure you can access your website times, analytical data and backups at all times.

4. Content & Copyright

It is important to make sure that you are not including content on your website that you are not entitled to use, may be illegal, defamatory or otherwise infringe on the rights of third parties.

5. Data Privacy and Security

Cookie banners, Privacy Policies, Terms of Service/Sale, Terms of Use, Information Privacy Manual – do these terms ring a bell? With the new Information Privacy Laws (the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) it is vital to ensure that your website complies therewith. Prevention is better than cure – as these laws carry fines of up to 20 Million Euros / 10 Million Rand or even imprisonment!

SwiftTechLaw is able to conduct a business website audit for you to ascertain the extent to which your website complies with applicable law. To book your audit or for any related enquiries, you can contact us here.