For an e-commerce business, few issues generate more customer disputes than returns and refunds. A customer changes their mind. A product arrives damaged. An order is delayed. A customer claims the product was not as advertised. Or a customer simply demands a refund despite the business’s stated return policy. The business then faces a practical … Read more
Online reviews can have a major impact on e-commerce sales. But businesses that manipulate reviews, testimonials, or social-media metrics can face serious legal and reputational consequences. The FTC’s Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule targets deceptive practices involving fake reviews, paid reviews, review suppression, insider testimonials, and fake social-media indicators. Here are the key issues e-commerce … Read more
Buying an e-commerce business may sound easy. However, you will need to do you diligence before purchasing one. Summary Understanding the E-commerce Business It is important to understand how the target company works. There are a lot of variations of business types in e-commerce, including dropshipping, OEM, and ODM businesses. Each business has different expenses … Read more
Anyone can use an incorporation service to start their business. However, those services may not help you understand the documentation that goes into having a business. You can also find information for LLCs here. Necessary Corporation documents: Articles of Incorporation The Articles of Incorporation is a document that is filed with the state to incorporate … Read more
Anyone can use an incorporation service to start their business. However, those services may not help you understand the documentation that goes into having a business. You can also find information for Corporations here. Necessary LLC documents: Articles of Organization The Articles of Organization is a document that is filed with the state to incorporate … Read more
Business Entity Selection The main businesses that need to file with the government are Corporations and LLCs. There are many differences between the two. More information can be found here. Articles of Incorporation Articles of Incorporation is the document that is filled out and sent to the Secretary of State to establish the business entity. … Read more
Below are a list of privacy regulations that may apply in e-commerce businesses. Other regulations may apply as all businesses are different. Federal Regulations Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC has authority through the FTC Act, which prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.” The act is broad and can cover … Read more
Business Retailer: A retailer can be an individual or a business entity. An owner should understand the liability of these options. As an individual, the individual can become individually liable for any disputes that occur. If the owner is an established business entity, the business entity can protect the individual from such liability. Protection from … Read more
An owner of intellectual property rights can enforce their right without registration. Additional rights may be given if there is notice to the public. Below, I outline how rights are stronger notice has been given to the public about a certain intellectual property right. What is public notice? Public notice is telling the public about … Read more
A website agreement or terms is more likely to be enforceable if there is 1) actual or constructive notice of the terms and 2) affirmative or implied consent to the terms. Having website agreements are not enough Have you notice most websites and mobile applications require a user to agree to terms before continuing to … Read more