How to Protect Against Copyright Infringement Claims in Starting Website
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Creating a website involves various legal issues, including, among others, registration of a domain name, and preventing trademark infringement and copyright violations. Sales of goods online creates issues of security in the use of customer information, so security software and policies are typically instituted. Contests online will typically publish the rules and conditions governing participation and determination of winners. Websites that allow users to post authored works often include procedures for the users to certify their right to distribute the material, disclaimers regarding the publication of the material on the website, as well as procedures for removing material not properly included. The information submitted may need to be governed by a licensing agreement to be further used by someone other than the author.
If website material is claimed to violate a copyright, the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) actually has very detailed information for web site owners on what to do, how to do it, and how to determine if the complaint is vald. It also protects web site owners in the case of actual copyright infringement, provided you follow the directions.
Corporations offer an individual protectin from personal liability because they become legal entities that are separate and distinct from the individuals who own and control them. This separation is important because in most cases these individuals have limited or no legal liability for the corporation's wrongdoings. I am prohibited from giving legal advice, as this service provides information of a general legal nature. I suggest contacting a local attorney who can review all the facts and design plans involved.
