Online Legal Services Australia – Do I need an Internet Lawyer?
In today’s digital world, it is important that lawyers keep up with the modern-day challenges that businesses face in all aspects of the cyber world. This means having knowledge and experience in dealing with the many problems that can arise with having an online business or presence.
What is an Internet Lawyer?
An “Internet Lawyer” deals with issues that involve the Internet and online businesses, websites, online software and applications, technology.
What do Internet Lawyers do?
An Internet lawyer deals with issues that relate to the Internet and e-commerce:
- Intellectual Property and disputes
- Privacy and Data
- Copyright infringement and “copying” on the Internet
- Trade mark infringement
- Social media disputes
- Domain name disputes
- Internet defamation
Are you up-to-date with data laws?
Data laws are a significant part of doing business online. Equally important, is ensuring that your business has considered how it manages data, what type of data is being collected and processed, and how to stay compliant and up-to-date with data and privacy laws.
With the introduction of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) in May this year, now is the time to start taking data protection seriously. The GDPR imposes heavy fines for infringing activities, with an upper level of 20 million euros or 4% of worldwide annual turnover (whichever is higher) for serious offences.
If your business has an establishment in the EU, offers goods or services to persons within the EU, or monitors the behavior of individuals in the EU, then you may need to comply with some of the requirements under the GDPR, depending on the scope of your data collecting and processing activities.
Taking data protection seriously
Apart from compliance requirements, there are other reasons why you should consider whether your business practices in relation to data management are up to scratch.
With the increase of data being shared across the Internet for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, it is important that individuals feel secure that their data is in safe-hands.
By incorporating clear guidelines about how data is managed and protected through your business activities, this helps to create confidence, transparency, and security and fosters a culture of data accountability within your establishment.
How else can an Internet lawyer help me?
- Software (SaaS and mobile applications)
- Licence Agreements and software ownership agreements
- Information Technology (IT) professional services agreements
- Cloud services Agreements
- App development contracts
- Online Licensing Agreements
- Social media policies
- Ecommerce
- Service Level Agreements
- Privacy and Data Protection
An Internet lawyer should be familiar with the kinds of problems encountered by clients engaging in online business or through having an online presence. Developing a relationship with your lawyer is very important, after all you are entrusting them to obtain the best result for your matter and your presentence on the digital market.
What costs are involved?
Where possible, we offer flexible and fixed fee alternatives so that you know beforehand of any costs involved. Most importantly, we work with clients to find out their specific issues so that we can tailor the services in return for real value.
Sam Gilbert, IP and Technology Consultant, B.A., LL.B University of Technology, Sydney
If you would like to know more about how an Internet lawyer can help your business, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the team at W3IP Law on 1300 776 614 or 0451 951 528.
Disclaimer. The material in this post represents general information only and should not be taken to be legal advice.
