CityLocal has franchisee opportunities available for entrepreneurs looking to invest in the rapidly growing online advertising industry. CityLocal is a local directory. www.citylocal.co.uk & www.citylocal.ie.
Starting an internet business is much easier now than it was ten years ago. Now it is possible to use open source software, outsource software development overseas, have your website hosted in the cloud, and register a domain for $10. However, there is also more to consider when you’re starting an internet business. Here are answers to many of the most frequently asked legal questions by entrepreneurs getting started online.
Does My Designer Or Agency Own My Website?
When you pay to have your website designed you should double-check with your agency whether or not you will own copyright to the work. This should be outlined in your contract. If you do not discuss this with your designer they are unlikely to claim that they own copyright at a later stage, but they would certainly be entitled to. In the UK the creator of the copyright will own all of the work unless it was completed as a result of a work-for-hire agreement, or you have a contract with the designer that says otherwise. The same also applies if you use the services of a software developer, a writer, or even, potentially, a translator.
In this instance where you may have a dispute with your designer, it’s best that they don’t have the ability to take down your website. That’s why you should control access to where the domain name points and you should also make sure they are not given unregulated access to the server once things are up and running. Try not to become too reliant on one supplier – it’s an easy mistake to make. You are probably best to use a separate provider for domain names, hosting and web design.
What Legal Entity Is Best For Me?
When you’re starting an internet business you’ll be able to decide between starting a limited company and starting out as a sole trader. If you are going into business with a partner, you will have to become a partnership rather than a sole trader. As a partnership or a sole trader you will not have to submit paperwork to Companies House, however you will have full liability for anything that goes on with the business. As a limited company you will have more reporting requirements; however you will not be liable should your business get into debt. In the long run, should your internet business be successful, you will most likely have to incorporate your business and become a limited company.
How Do I Make UK Law Apply In All Of My Contracts?
It is most likely the case that you would like UK law to apply to all transactions, and for any court proceedings to take place in the UK. That’s why you have customers accept terms and conditions, and you should also have terms of use and a privacy policy which say the same thing. It’s important to mention that UK law will be used, and that any legal proceedings will take place in the English courts. It’s possible for UK law to be judged in an international court, or for an international law to be judged in the UK. This is particularly relevant for an internet business.
Does My Designer Or Agency Own My Website?
When you pay to have your website designed you should double-check with your agency whether or not you will own copyright to the work. This should be outlined in your contract. If you do not discuss this with your designer they are unlikely to claim that they own copyright at a later stage, but they would certainly be entitled to. In the UK the creator of the copyright will own all of the work unless it was completed as a result of a work-for-hire agreement, or you have a contract with the designer that says otherwise. The same also applies if you use the services of a software developer, a writer, or even, potentially, a translator.
In this instance where you may have a dispute with your designer, it’s best that they don’t have the ability to take down your website. That’s why you should control access to where the domain name points and you should also make sure they are not given unregulated access to the server once things are up and running. Try not to become too reliant on one supplier – it’s an easy mistake to make. You are probably best to use a separate provider for domain names, hosting and web design.
What Legal Entity Is Best For Me?
When you’re starting an internet business you’ll be able to decide between starting a limited company and starting out as a sole trader. If you are going into business with a partner, you will have to become a partnership rather than a sole trader. As a partnership or a sole trader you will not have to submit paperwork to Companies House, however you will have full liability for anything that goes on with the business. As a limited company you will have more reporting requirements; however you will not be liable should your business get into debt. In the long run, should your internet business be successful, you will most likely have to incorporate your business and become a limited company.
How Do I Make UK Law Apply In All Of My Contracts?
It is most likely the case that you would like UK law to apply to all transactions, and for any court proceedings to take place in the UK. That’s why you have customers accept terms and conditions, and you should also have terms of use and a privacy policy which say the same thing. It’s important to mention that UK law will be used, and that any legal proceedings will take place in the English courts. It’s possible for UK law to be judged in an international court, or for an international law to be judged in the UK. This is particularly relevant for an internet business.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Franchise Information - Is A Business Franchise For You?
- Common Myths About Operating A Business Franchise
- Is A Small Business Franchise Opportunity For You?
- Why Are Business Franchise Models So Effective?
- How to Find Business Franchise Opportunities
- Top 10 Low Cost Business Franchises in the UK
- Top 10 Low Cost Business Franchises
- Business Franchises UK




How powerful is personal contact in business
By: K James | 04/01/2010Personal contacts are powerful in any major business. For small businesses, personal contacts even serve as a life-line, and without proper contacts, a small business can crash or not bring sufficient profits.
Benefits and Risks of Off-The-Shelf Companies in UK
By: Winston Jenkins | 04/01/2010When you want to start a company in the UK, you have two choices. You can either form a brand new company or you may choose to buy an off the shelf company.
Things to Consider During Company Registration
By: Winston Jenkins | 04/01/2010Thinking of risking a dip in the entrepreneurial waters? This may just be the right time. According to a recent economic survey by The Entrepreneurs Board, small entrepreneurs are more likely to pull the country out of recession when compared to government measures and aid packages.
Important Tips for Small Business Set Up
By: Winston Jenkins | 04/01/2010A small business is generally defined as a business that had fewer than 100 employees. Small businesses are generally partnerships, privately owned or sole proprietorships. Interestingly, the recession seems to have brought out the best in the entrepreneurial skills of people who were happy to work for others until now. Hence the burgeoning desire to set up small businesses.
Small Business Accounting – A stepping stone to success of business
By: Alvis Brazma | 04/01/2010As a small business organization it is mandatory for you to realize the immaculate and on time small business accounting lest you will have to suffer a huge loss every time.
Five Reasons to Consider the MBM DestroyIt 2403 Cross Cut Shredder
By: Jeff McRitchie | 04/01/2010The DestroyIt 2403 Cross Cut Shredder gives you a high level of document security with desk-side convenience. If you are looking for a deskside shredder with a lot of power and security to spare, here are a few great reasons that you should check out the DestroyIt 2403 today.
Five Great Features of the DestroyIt 2360 Cross Cut Shredder
By: Jeff McRitchie | 04/01/2010DestroyIt 2360 Cross Cut Shredder offers you high-security, high-power document shredding a mere arms length away. Here are just a few of the great reasons that, if you are searching for a deskside shredding solution, you should check out the DestroyIt 2360 today.
Five Reasons to Check Out the Destroyit 2260 Cross Cut Shredder
By: Jeff McRitchie | 04/01/2010The Destroyit 2260 is a small but feature laden shredder that is perfect for Deskside personal use, giving you top notch security and convenience. Here are just a few of the many reasons you should check out the Destroyit 2260 today.
The Signs Your Business May be Lacking Entrepreneurialism
By: Nazeer Daud | 13/10/2008 | EntrepreneurshipIs your business heading places? Many companies are too focused on their day-to-day operations and office politics to consider their businesses DNA. This article will help your business identify the signs that you’re lacking in entrepreneurialism, and it should also give you ideas on how you can inject this into your business.
Guide to Small Business Internet Marketing
By: Nazeer Daud | 08/10/2008 | Internet MarketingAs a small business owner, you have a unique advantage over larger competitors: you’re able to make a serious difference to your small business by making another £20,000 or £30,000 a year.
Easy Work at Home Business Ideas
By: Nazeer Daud | 06/10/2008 | Home BusinessStarting a business is not meant to be easy. However, if you pick the right idea, there is work from home business ideas that can be started on a limited budget, and be up-and-running in no time.
Bringing Your Retail Business Online
By: Nazeer Daud | 03/10/2008 | Online BusinessFor business owners that have yet to bring their retail business online, it can be a daunting prospect. You will have to recruit a web developer, or appoint an agency; you will have to fulfil orders going all over the world; and you’ll have to ensure that you get enough online customers to cover your costs.
The Advantages of Business Outsourcing
By: Nazeer Daud | 01/10/2008 | OutsourcingBusiness outsourcing has increased by 16% over the last 5 years according to research published by the London School of Economics. That’s a tectonic shift in the way businesses operate, and it’s also something that’s widely expected to increase further into the future.
Starting an Internet Business: Understanding Common Legal Questions
By: Nazeer Daud | 25/09/2008 | Small BusinessStarting an internet business is much easier now than it was ten years ago. Now it is possible to use open source software, outsource software development overseas, have your website hosted in the cloud, and register a domain for $10.
Six Business Presentation Tips That Your Customers Will Love
By: Nazeer Daud | 23/09/2008 | PresentationIn business, like in life, presentation is important. Your customers’ perception of your sales staff, your back-office staff, and your brand help to mould how they perceive your business and their likelihood of doing business with you.
The Insider’s Guide to Business Networking
By: Nazeer Daud | 19/09/2008 | NetworkingBusiness networking should not be underestimated in how important it can be for the success of the business you’re running at the moment, and any business that you would choose to run in the future.