The answer to this question depends on the type of online business you plan to launch. Here are some typical business situations that occur online.

• 1. Incorporation

If your business is paying a lot of tax you may wish to consider all the legal benefits as well as the possible tax benefits of incorporating your business. One more thing to be aware of when you are deciding to incorporate your business is you will find your business will be treated more seriously than other businesses out there by the banks and also potential investors. Even if your company is small at first and you find yourself still working out of home, you should take some serious time to look at some of the benefits and pitfalls you will experience in incorporating your business. If you feel you are comfortable with incorporating you business you can do it very easily online.

• 2. The wonders of internet law

You have probably heard this term floating about if you have any experience with online business. There is a booming industry in just the buying and selling alone of expired domain names that have good active links and traffic flowing through that could be used to bring traffic to your business. If you plan to do this you might want to speak to an internet lawyer who is experienced in the trading of domain names.

Now even if you decide not to hire an attorney, you should read through an internet law book which I provide at my blog before you buy and sell domain names because some domain names maybe protected by intellectual property trademark rights. And remember even the simple act of registering a domain name may bring about legal implications with an existing business. So in order to save yourself the hard ache of running into legal implications in the future you should review this book before you buy a domain name, build a website and start drawing traffic or hire someone who does. Remember, it is a relatively small cost to keep you in the clear and could prove to be a massive money saver later on down the track.

• 3. The politics of Licences and contracts

You have probably realised in the life situations we seem to get ourselves in you should always read every word before you sign a contract. (Especially, those written by someone else other than you.) This is so that you totally understand what the agreement is before you agree to it. If you have any doubts or a feel little bit weary you should ask your attorney to review it before you go ahead and sign it.

Common online processes that may require you to have an attorney present maybe:

• a. if you are setting up your website
• b. leasing server space with a hosting company
• c. hiring a website designer
• d. starting up an affiliate program with your customers

Please hire an attorney if you have no idea of the legal matters concerning these contractual agreements.

• 4. Being aware of Copyrights, patents, and Trademarks

These are all legal issues that need to be addressed when running an online business. A copyright is a legal right that is granted to an author. These days everything online is protected by copyright laws automatically. However, it is still advisable to seek legal advice. You would patent a product or service if you think you have something that is completely new and never been done before. Patents can be very expensive however it is worth your time if you want to protect your idea so that somebody else doesn't come along and rip you off or run you out of business. A Trademark can be a name, symbol, figure, letter, work or mark adopted and used by the manufacture of wholesaler in order to designate the goods he manufactures or sells, and to distinguish them from those manufactured of sold by others in the industry.

These are just some of the legal matter you will come across in your business.

I write about more online business help at:

www.interworkmarketing.com/blog

Best Wishes,

Tom Miller