Legal and Technical advice for a new E commerce website
NizarKawar started this topic @ 17:25 on 30/01/2012
Hello,
I have an e-business idea that I wish to start up as early as I can. I am looking for some valuable advice from professionals who have experience in this area, and are aware of all the legal and technical issues that are concerned with an e-commerce website.
The following is a brief on what the website offers:
The website does not sell products, it only serves as a platform for people who wish to exchange pdf files. Users will be able to upload and sell their pdf files on that website to other users who are interested in buying and downloading them. I will take a commission on any transaction carried on the website.
The following is a list of issues I am concerned about, and I will be grateful to any advice addressing some or all of the points below:
- Do I need a business license to do the website?
- Do I need to have a Ltd. company?
- What sort of bank account do I need?
- Who will set the Terms & Conditions for the website?
- What can I do to avoid users sharing their contact details on my website? This is to avoid people buying and selling pdfs without paying the commission.
- Who shall I approach to building my website and what is a reasonable budget for that?
- How do I make my own copyrights and trademark. (For the logo and the domain name). And how can I keep my idea protected?
- How can I make a business plan, marketing strategy, and how can I avoid/minimize competitors in the future?
- What and who will I need to manage my website in the future if it achieves the success I am hoping for?
-What other issues should I seek advice for?
Thanks a lot for your time, and thank you in advance for your advice.
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RE: Legal and Technical advice for a new E commerce website
Reg Addking | 31/01/2012 11:43 AM
Flipping heck, no one's going to give you that kind of detailed advice unless you pay them.
However:
- No
- No
- Any
- You
- Use existant file selling software
- A web developer, if you don't buy off-the-shelf software
- A graphic designer. There is no copyright on ideas.
- Download a business plan, hire a marketer and you can't.
- A clever person like me.
- Research the competition or similar services.
Heh heh, this wouldn't be for a school project, would it? 
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RE: Legal and Technical advice for a new E commerce website
Trade Mark Specialist | 02/02/2012 11:07 AM
Hi NizarKawar
Copyright can't actually be registered in the UK (instead you should indicate to the world that you claim copyright in any text or images by using the copyright (c) symbol followed by the name of the copyright owner and the year of creation. It is however possible and highly recommended to register your trade mark in the territories where you intend to trade before somebody else claims it as their own.
The only obstacles are:
whether the name is merely descriptive of the services you are offering; and
(b) whether any one else has already applied to register the same mark for the same sort of services.
Let me know if you'd like any help registering your trade mark.
Kind regards
Trade Mark Specialist