One of the most common questions I get asked as a Web lawyer these days from Internet business owners is “How can I guarantee that I won’t get sued?”
The sad fact of the matter is that you really can’t…and anyone (Web lawyer or not) who claims that they can sell you such a guarantee is lying to you out of greed or ignorance.
Here’s why…
You can reduce your legal risks by
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Internet Lawyer: An Internet cartel of your own?
The blogosphere is buzzing about how some big Internet marketers allegedly conspire to coordinate their product launches, rig prices, and hurt their competition in the process. As an Internet lawyer and entrepreneur, I'm not surprised.
From a criminal standpoint, there’s a presumption of innocence. From a civil legal standpoint, neither a government agency nor a private civil suit has determi
From a criminal standpoint, there’s a presumption of innocence. From a civil legal standpoint, neither a government agency nor a private civil suit has determi
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Web Lawyer: Should you pay a business privilege tax on your blog?
The City of Philadelphia is chasing down local bloggers and telling them they have to (1) fork over 300 bucks for a business privilege license plus (2) pay back taxes on their earnings. And if they can’t afford that lifetime license fee, they’re supposed to spend 50 bucks every year that they operate their blogs.
Many of the bloggers have made little or no money and consider their blogs to
Many of the bloggers have made little or no money and consider their blogs to
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Internet Marketer Murders Wife
Internet marketer Ellery Bennett tried to get rich online. When the house of cards collapsed, he murdered his wife (Lisa Bennett). There's a 10-year-old daughter who no longer has a mother and whose father will be heading to prison for a very long time. That's a hell of a price to pay.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUoca4hCOTw[/youtube]
What went wrong?
Did Bennett not give it his t
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUoca4hCOTw[/youtube]
What went wrong?
Did Bennett not give it his t
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Website Attorney: Guru Investment Shell Games
Right now, as a Website attorney, I’m seeing three common types of Internet securities fraud con games promising you success as an Internet business owner through investment. They’ve become popular because even newbie marketers are not buying the hype surrounding $2,000 info products and live seminars for 500 to a thousand bucks (plus flight and hotel).
Scam #1 is “Be My Partner.”
Th
Scam #1 is “Be My Partner.”
Th
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Web Lawyer: The mad as a hatter email mistake
I received an email message from an Internet marketing guru with the following subject line: “... Why I'm mad at you Mike (Open NOW!).” As a Web lawyer and online entrepreneur, I just knew this was a deceptive email even without opening it.
Why was Mr. Guru “mad?”
I had ‘missed’ his webinar. In fact, I had never registered for it. Because of this ‘failure’ on my part, I was a
Why was Mr. Guru “mad?”
I had ‘missed’ his webinar. In fact, I had never registered for it. Because of this ‘failure’ on my part, I was a
Monday, August 16, 2010
Cattle Call
They have finished excluding prospective jurors with valid exemptions. Being an Internet lawyer does not qualify as an exemption.
Under Texas law, I could have claimed an exemption for taking care of my kid. However, he will make it to football practice without me holding his hand.
There is always a shortage of jurors. Although it is far more profitable to bill my time this morning as an Inter
Under Texas law, I could have claimed an exemption for taking care of my kid. However, he will make it to football practice without me holding his hand.
There is always a shortage of jurors. Although it is far more profitable to bill my time this morning as an Inter
Jury Duty
Even an Internet attorney can get summoned for jury duty. This morning should be fun because I will get questioned like any other potential juror.
However, it is unlikely I will get picked (never have). They tend to not want an Internet attorney, or any other lawyer for that matter, on a jury because of the ability to sway the jury to a particular decision. The joys of the justice system.
To y
However, it is unlikely I will get picked (never have). They tend to not want an Internet attorney, or any other lawyer for that matter, on a jury because of the ability to sway the jury to a particular decision. The joys of the justice system.
To y
Friday, August 13, 2010
Internet Attorney Imposter
As an Internet attorney, I usually find imitation to a be a sincere form of flattery...but not in this case. We've gone from imitation to a bad impersonation.
Let me explain.
One of my newsletter subscribers received the following email and forwarded it to me (thanks Eric!)
To: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Attention: This is an important Message , Get Back To Me Please
From: xxxxx@michaelyoungas
Let me explain.
One of my newsletter subscribers received the following email and forwarded it to me (thanks Eric!)
To: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Attention: This is an important Message , Get Back To Me Please
From: xxxxx@michaelyoungas
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Website Attorney: The sharpest pencil in the box
Seems these days nearly everyone online is trying their hand at “hot” markets of dating, biz opp and health.
Of course, crowded markets lead to false and deceptive claims because desperate Internet marketers seek a competitive advantage. And that’s the type of thing the Federal Trade Commission cracks down on today. This makes a Website attorney happy for billing purposes but leaves many
Of course, crowded markets lead to false and deceptive claims because desperate Internet marketers seek a competitive advantage. And that’s the type of thing the Federal Trade Commission cracks down on today. This makes a Website attorney happy for billing purposes but leaves many
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Website Attorney: The deadly mistake of collecting scalps
There’s a networking “guru” who hangs out with the Internet marketing crowd and name drops all of the celebrities and other gurus he knows.
If you see him in action, he’s mastered the superficial smoothness of “connecting” with people he meets. As a Website attorney, I run into him at events and feel like washing my hands immediately after each encounter.
Why?
When you look cl
If you see him in action, he’s mastered the superficial smoothness of “connecting” with people he meets. As a Website attorney, I run into him at events and feel like washing my hands immediately after each encounter.
Why?
When you look cl
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Internet Lawyer: Does U.S. Internet law apply overseas?
There’s a myth out there that one can do whatever you please online and get away with it if your business is not based in the United States.
Although there are international con artists who set up multiple scams off shore and keep one step ahead of the law, many get caught and pay the price. As an Internet lawyer, I see these cases all of the time.
For example, there’s a 26-year-old guy
Although there are international con artists who set up multiple scams off shore and keep one step ahead of the law, many get caught and pay the price. As an Internet lawyer, I see these cases all of the time.
For example, there’s a 26-year-old guy
Monday, August 9, 2010
Web Lawyer: The Situational Expert Mistake
There's an Internet marketing guru who sold a product for driving traffic to your website using paid advertising. To promote this product, he trashed free organic traffic from search engine optimization (SEO). He claimed to not be an SEO expert and to have been burned 3 times by people who claimed to be one.
Unfortunately, the guru turned around and created a new product for driving traffic thr
Unfortunately, the guru turned around and created a new product for driving traffic thr
Friday, August 6, 2010
Internet Attorney: How to Create Content that Doesn't Violate Copyright Law
As an Internet attorney, I get asked all the time about online copyright laws and infringement.
Here's a key to keeping yourself out of legal hot water when writing content based upon stuff you found on the Internet.
Facts and ideas are not protected by copyright law, just the particular way they are expressed.
How can you (or your content writers) take advantage of this fact?
Pick con
Here's a key to keeping yourself out of legal hot water when writing content based upon stuff you found on the Internet.
Facts and ideas are not protected by copyright law, just the particular way they are expressed.
How can you (or your content writers) take advantage of this fact?
Pick con
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Web Lawyer: Morrie’s doodling lesson for your business
Morrie Yohai just passed away at age 90. He invented Cheez Doodles.
Here’s a key lesson to learn from Morrie.
He didn’t create Cheez Doodles from scratch. Instead, he took an existing successful product (rippled corn chips) and modified it.
As your Web lawyer will tell you, you don’t have to invent something from scratch. More often than not, improving upon an existing product or se
Here’s a key lesson to learn from Morrie.
He didn’t create Cheez Doodles from scratch. Instead, he took an existing successful product (rippled corn chips) and modified it.
As your Web lawyer will tell you, you don’t have to invent something from scratch. More often than not, improving upon an existing product or se
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Internet Lawyer: Will tech support become your competitor?
There’s a woman who recently had tech support for her computer steal private photos and post them on the Internet. Let’s just say the woman wasn’t wearing clothes in the photos and she’s not too happy about the situation.
So much for privacy. Even an Internet lawyer is going to have a tough time putting this genie back in the bottle.
But what about your business plans and other confi
So much for privacy. Even an Internet lawyer is going to have a tough time putting this genie back in the bottle.
But what about your business plans and other confi
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Website Attorney: Guru Sits in Prison
Kent “Doctor Dino” Hovind is a religious “guru” who once offered $250,000 on his website for anyone who could disprove his nutty beliefs. You don’t have to be a Website attorney to be turned off by this type of shenanigans.
At the same time, Hovind claimed poverty despite raking in millions from his followers. The IRS didn’t agree…and now Dr. Dino is serving 10 years in a federal
At the same time, Hovind claimed poverty despite raking in millions from his followers. The IRS didn’t agree…and now Dr. Dino is serving 10 years in a federal
Monday, August 2, 2010
Website Attorney: Guru Sits in Prison
Kent “Doctor Dino” Hovind is a religious “guru” who once offered $250,000 on his website for anyone who could disprove his nutty beliefs. You don’t have to be a Website attorney to be turned off by this type of shenanigans.
At the same time, Hovind claimed poverty despite raking in millions from his followers. The IRS didn’t agree…and now Dr. Dino is serving 10 years in a federal prison for tax evasion.
For the morbidly curious, Dr. Dino’s son is carrying on “God’s work
At the same time, Hovind claimed poverty despite raking in millions from his followers. The IRS didn’t agree…and now Dr. Dino is serving 10 years in a federal prison for tax evasion.
For the morbidly curious, Dr. Dino’s son is carrying on “God’s work
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