Have you ever read an article online that described a product, its benefits and features, and you decided to buy based upon what you read? As a Website attorney, I review these all of the time.
In most cases, this is just a variation of the same type of advertorials car dealers pay to have placed in the auto section of your local newspaper. Real estate developers do the same thing in the housin
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Web Lawyer: Gaming your testimonials and reviews
As a Web lawyer, I run into gurus who still make wild claims online in their sales copy, testimonials, and reviews because they haven’t been nailed yet by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The key word in this sentence is “yet.”
The FTC is cracking down against Internet claims based on the guidelines that went into effect last December.
Here’s an example of what not to do…
A p
The FTC is cracking down against Internet claims based on the guidelines that went into effect last December.
Here’s an example of what not to do…
A p
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Website attorney: Protecting your Internet goats
As a website attorney and entrepreneur, I find that you can learn from offline businesses too. There’s a Wisconsin restaurant that’s protected its unique selling proposition (USP)…and it isn’t the pickled herring you can order off the menu.
You eat at the restaurant so you can watch goats grazing on its grass-covered roof.
What the restaurant owner did to protect his USP was register
You eat at the restaurant so you can watch goats grazing on its grass-covered roof.
What the restaurant owner did to protect his USP was register
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Web Lawyer: The blind DonKey and your website
There’s an old school marketing guru (let’s call him “DonKey”) who says Internet businesses do not exist. As a Web lawyer and entrepreneur, I know that’s nonsense. However, according to DonKey, the Web is only a marketing and distribution channel.
To support this view, DonKey likes to point to the time when the government wiped out the TV info-mercial “business” for years by enact
To support this view, DonKey likes to point to the time when the government wiped out the TV info-mercial “business” for years by enact
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Internet Attorney: When should you NOT use contracts?
As an Internet attorney, clients will come to me about putting together a deal but the legal fees for drafting the contract would exceed the amount of the deal itself. That doesn’t make sense from a business standpoint and I tell them so.
So when should you not use contracts?
When the worst-case scenario of the other party screwing you over is something you can live with and be able to mov
So when should you not use contracts?
When the worst-case scenario of the other party screwing you over is something you can live with and be able to mov
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Website Attorney: He understood Internet marketing but missed the point
I just reviewed a website tied in to a former rising Internet star I’ve known as a Website attorney. The marketing processes were flawless with lead capture, prequalification, a survey, and videos designed to spur sales.
The content was filled with claims about how much you would earn if you bought what the guy was selling. However, when you clicked a link in the website’s footer, a small p
The content was filled with claims about how much you would earn if you bought what the guy was selling. However, when you clicked a link in the website’s footer, a small p
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Triple 9s, your web biz, and the Mayan paradise
On 09-09-09, some Internet marketers sold “get rich” info products and services using the date as some magical force to be reckoned with...they even tied it in to the “Law” of Attraction and “Good Karma.”
But less than three months later, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) started cracking down on fake income claims. As an Internet attorney, I wrote a complimentary special report on
But less than three months later, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) started cracking down on fake income claims. As an Internet attorney, I wrote a complimentary special report on
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Website Attorney: Should you use PayPal or ClickBank for your products?
As a Website attorney, Internet marketers are always asking me about the pros and cons of using different systems to sell their products and services online. Here’s my take on the pros and cons of using PayPal v. ClickBank.
ClickBank (not really a bank) is popular for newbies with digital products. ClickBank handles just about everything, including your affiliates, but the fees are relatively
ClickBank (not really a bank) is popular for newbies with digital products. ClickBank handles just about everything, including your affiliates, but the fees are relatively
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Will tentacles crush your website?
Righthaven LLC is a company that buys the rights to newspaper articles and sues bloggers and website owners who quoted these articles for copyright infringement. Righthaven also demands the domain names be surrendered too. This concerns me both as an Internet lawyer and as an online entrepreneur.
The lawsuits are not an afterthought. It is Righthaven’s business model. The company's purpose fo
The lawsuits are not an afterthought. It is Righthaven’s business model. The company's purpose fo
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Internet Attorney: The eBook you should avoid
Using Amazon’s ‘Kindle for PC’ freebie app, I read eBooks while walking on my treadmill desk at home in the mornings before starting work as an Internet attorney. Unfortunately, eBooks are killing many Internet businesses before they get off the ground.
Here’s why…
There’s a myth that you can become successful online by writing and marketing an eBook. Writers spend months filling
Here’s why…
There’s a myth that you can become successful online by writing and marketing an eBook. Writers spend months filling
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Web Lawyer: The Internet Puffery Mistake
There’s a woman who lives near me who will be going to federal prison soon for up to 3 years. She pled guilty in order to avoid spending more time in the pokey. As a Web lawyer, I didn’t represent her.
Her mistake?
Lying to the government about how much money she earned.
In addition to the Federal Trade Commission, Internet entrepreneurs have to worry about dealing with the IRS when m
Her mistake?
Lying to the government about how much money she earned.
In addition to the Federal Trade Commission, Internet entrepreneurs have to worry about dealing with the IRS when m
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