Trading On and Off Line - Woolley & Co solicitors provide a comprehensive advice service to business

A recent survey found that 80 per cent of businesses that sell online have totally inadequate terms and conditions. Don’t switch off at the thought of small print. It could cost your business dearly. We can offer advice on all the do’s and don’ts of this dull but necessary requirement. Contact Woolley & Co for important initial advice.

Here are just a few things to be aware of...

New Website Rules 2007
As a result of changes to the Companies Act 1985 all companies must now include their full address details, VAT number and other information on emails and websites. Read Change your Website Now to Comply with New Regulations.

Web designers and E-Commerce Providers

E-commerce solutions providers and web designers must make their clients aware of certain legal issues relating to new on-line trading regulations, data protection rules and software licenses. Read IT and e-commerce providers beware or contact us at info@business-lawfirm.co.uk with your specific queries.

What’s in a name?

Remember that buying a domain name (i.e. a web site name) does NOT necessarily mean you can use it as your business name. If it is the same (or very close) to an existing business you may well be stopped from doing so. For advice contact Woolley & Co.

Passing off

If someone (on line or off) tries to appear to be another business (e.g. calling yourself “Harrobs” if you are a shop in London especially if you use similar colours and typeface as one did) they may well be accused of “passing off”. That is very serious indeed. They risk an immediate Court order banning them from trading, the cost of lawyers and accountants being sent in to go through their books to find out how much profit they might have made from this wrong, and damages as well! If you think your business could be suffering in this way contact Woolley & Co.

This is a whole subject by itself. Normally, in this country, you automatically have the right to something you’ve created. So, watch it when you get a designer to prepare a web site for you. Who owns the copyright? They do! Copyright (in that context) means you can only use it and change it for the purposes they agree and that will normally only be for a fee. Copyright can only be transferred by an agreement in writing so get that in your contract with your web designers (amongst other crucial things). Learn more in our article - Copyright - getting it, protecting it and keeping it.

General disclaimers

If you possibly can, give information not advice. Advice is dangerous - if you look even a bit like someone who ought to know, people are entitled to rely on what you say. Information on the other hand, is just that. People can use it to help them take advice and/or make up their own minds.

On-line returns policy

A recent survey of UK websites revealed that over 50 per cent failed to comply with the rules on returns policy. We can help you to make sure that you don’t fall foul of e-law and regulation. Contact Woolley & Co for a fixed fee quote to prepare your on-line terms and conditions.

Contract Confusion

Even e-commerce giants Amazon can get it wrong. Who wouldn’t buy a pocket Hewlett-Packard Pocket PC, usually retailing at Ł270, for just Ł7 given half a chance. Read our article 'Contract Confusion at Amazon’ for mote details.

TRADING ON AND OFF LINE - ARTICLES AND FACT SHEETS