E-Commerce

For most companies, the Internet has become a revolutionary tool for use in practically all areas of conducting business. The convenience and accessibility of conducting commercial transactions over the Internet, however, can raise a large number of commercial and legal issues. Our lawyers around the globe have extensive experience in all forms of e-commerce transactions – whether they entail standard online retail sales platforms or high-profile, sophisticated
e-commerce trading solutions.

Vitally important during the development stage (and even after the platform is functioning) is securing and maintaining intellectual property (IP) protection for digital content, such as text, layouts, graphics, images or photographs. Here our global reach makes us particularly well-positioned to help clients comply with differing legal requirements in various regions and countries. We guide clients through all stages of IP and brand protection, including the initial clearance and subsequent prosecution and registration of copyrights, trademarks, service marks and potential enforcement issues. If works featured on a website are owned by third parties, we assist clients in ensuring that all appropriate assignments and licenses are in place. 

After a platform is up and running, our lawyers use their expertise to counsel clients regarding consumer regulation compliance and online marketing issues, which may include advertising clearance, endorsements, product placement, and promotions, contests, sweepstakes and prize draws. Our practice also covers negotiating and drafting the various commercial agreements ancillary to
e-commerce transactions.

As the Internet has gradually shifted to a more dynamic and interactive platform – as evidenced by the rise of social networking – we have seen increased importance on our ability to advise clients regarding user-generated content issues, including strategies for responding to user comments and potential liability for IP infringement and speech-based torts, such as defamation.

Comprehensive knowledge of the intricacy of laws and regulations that touch upon all areas of e-commerce is critical. As the summary above shows, you can be sure we have that knowledge and can bring it to bear on your behalf.