The Internet is still a playground of free markets that is generating billions of dollars of revenue for savvy companies and entrepreneurs. However, there are in place federal, state and local laws that can make doing business a risky endeavor even for the most well-meaning company. Not all law firms have the knowledge or expertise of the intricacies of Internet law needed to appropriately advise clients who are seeking to know if their website or e-commerce is legal.

An innocent marketing campaign of an honest company providing a top-notch service or product could still be illegal if the laws concerning unsolicited emails are not obeyed. Some sites must determine the age of the visitor before allowing access. Is it just adult sites with an age requirement, or are there other types of websites that need to restrict access? How old does a person have to be to register on a website? Does it have anything to do with content on the site, or is it a federal law? These questions need answers before a company decides to do or implement any sort of website or e-commerce.

Something as simple as an online contest could be in violation of state laws. It may only require a properly worded statement to avoid being in breach of certain laws, or the contest may be illegal to have on a website because of the laws of the state the business is in. An individual or company needs to be spending time developing services and products to maintain that competitive edge instead of worrying if their website contains anything that could be deemed illegal. The previous was only a couple of examples that seem innocent but can be illegal. It is just the tip of the iceberg of statutes and regulations that need to be considered by any business going online who wants to protect their bottom line.

A single claim of illegality or litigation can cost a business dearly. The best way to avoid any claim is to have a quality legal services expert on Internet law work with a company who has a website or e-commerce business. Copying methods established by other online businesses does not mean the practices are safe. Just because another online business has not had any legal consequences yet does not mean that it is immune. Be sure. Confirm what is on the company site and the e-commerce practices are legal to avoid fines and in some cases jail.

Finding law offices to trust with your Internet presence as a company may be a daunting task. A firm that is an expert in Internet law will also be able to provide estate planning and be able to complete living wills, power of attorney and other standard legal work such as trusts, but the opposite is not true. A law firm needs to be chosen on its level of expertise with Internet law when it comes to making sure a company's website and e-commerce is abiding by all established legal statutes.