Did you know that even if your website has been up and running for years, it can be shut down because it does not abide by legal rules?? Don?t risk losing your website over some legal difficulties.? Even if your site was perfectly legal a decade ago, be aware that copyright and legal laws are always changing.? Read the points below to see if your website ? young or old ? will pass the legal audit.
Copyrights
Copyrights are always and automatically part of an original and creative work, whether it be in a physical or digital form.? If you use someone?s work without permission, you are infringing copyright laws.
How do you find the images for your site?? Do you do a simple image search in Google, right click, and choose ?save as??? Guess what?you are breaking copyright laws!
Be aware of Creative Commons licences.? Select images that are available for use and remember to attribute the image when appropriate.
Trademarks
According to Wikipedia, trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attached to a trademark without the owner?s permission.? Infringement also occurs when a party uses a trademark which is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark owned by someone else.? This applies to words, images, product packaging, slogans, or any other means used to portray a product or service.
Invasion of Privacy
Invasion of privacy occurs when private facts are publicly disclosed, portraying an individual in a negative and defamatory way.? Invasion of privacy also occurs when someone?s image or likeness is used without proper permission.
Defamation
If you publish false or misleading information about an individual or organization that will injure their reputation, you are guilty of defamation.? It doesn?t have to be direct or explicit either.? Be aware that defamation can occur from the use or uses of inferences, insinuations, innuendos, and/or jokes.? Be especially careful if your site has a section for public interaction, such as a forum or comment area.
Ads
Does your website contain advertisements?? If these advertisements are misleading, the site owner can be held responsible.? Monitor what ads are being used and be discerning.
Audit Your Site
If you do some research and re-examine your site, you will be in the legal clear.? Many of the infringement and copyright mistakes that happen are unintentional and are not meant to cause harm or be malicious.? Monitor the comments and postings on your site very carefully and remove anything you think might violate the legal standards.? Go to your site today, and carry out a legal audit.? Give yourself some peace of mind that your site will pass with flying colours.
Photo License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900229239.jpg
Guest author Jackson Davidson works for an attorney in Clearwater who can be found here.? He helps business owners with a wide variety of services.??
Source: http://tecreativeservices.com/2013/01/your-website-design-legal-or-illegal/
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