If you’re running an online business, it’s important that you meet your legal obligations and have the right documents in place. Our legal team specialises in helping small online businesses with all their legal needs, from contracts to intellectual property protection and privacy. Get in touch today!
If you're running an online business, there are key legal documents you'll need to have to protect your business from key risks. It will also help things run smoothly from the outset.
- Terms and Conditions: T&Cs are the terms users must agree to before they further engage with your business. This helps you monitor activity on your platform, limit your liability where necessary and ensure all parties are on the same page regarding rights and responsibilities.
- Privacy Policy: businesses with an annual turnover of $3 million or more are required to have a Privacy Policy in place that is in line with the Privacy Act 1988. It should disclose how you intend to collect, store and distribute your users' personal information.
- Cookie Policy: if you're collecting cookies for business purposes, it's also important that you disclose this to your users, as well as how you intend to store and collect this information.
- Supply Agreement: if you're working with suppliers, you'll need to have the details of your arrangement in writing. This can help limit the chance of a dispute arising, and can limit your liability for things that go wrong in the supply chain.
Yes, no matter where you conduct business, you are still required to comply with your employer obligations. This includes ensuring your employees are paid according to the National Employment Standards (or their relevant award), ensuring the workplace is safe for employees and informing them of their leave entitlements.
As an online business, your employees may work remotely. In such a case, you are still required to take measures to ensure their working space is adequate and safe. This can take the form of regular meetings (via Zoom) or providing an allowance for WFH equipment.
Your IP is often the key to your business' success. In a software or technology business, it's important to keep your IP secure. To effectively protect your creative works, you'll need to understand the type of IP you intend to keep secure and the specific process required.
Copyright protection applies automatically to creative, original works in Australia (however, you may still wish to display copyright disclaimers for clarity!).
For further legal protection, you can also register a trade mark with IP Australia. This lists your IP on an online register and prevents other people from using it - so it's officially and legally yours.
There is also the option to patent your IP, but there is a very specific criteria for doing so. Our IP lawyers can guide you through your options.
