Ohio E-Commerce Lawyer Serving Clients Nationally

Attorney providing legal advice for online businesses

According to some estimates there are more than 28 million online “stores” operating globally, with mobile commerce within the U.S. in 2025 projected at $710 billion. If you own a business of any size, your success requires you to compete in that sector. Launching an e-commerce website offers immense opportunities for business owners, but transacting business over the web entails significant legal responsibilities. Compliance with laws regarding data privacy, trademark, copyright and other aspects is critical to avoid costly lawsuits, fines or reputational damage. Andrew M. Jaffe, Attorney at Law is fully versed in e-commerce law and can help your company launch an efficient e-commerce platform.

Guidance on data privacy protection

A top concern for any company on the Internet is data privacy. This encompasses how you handle customer information you gather as you transact businesses. Some states, such as California, have enacted laws requiring transparent data collection notices, opt-out rights for data sales and robust security measures. Although there is no national regulatory framework, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies if you serve EU customers, mandating consent for data processing and a privacy policy detailing data use.

A company handling customer information should observe these best practices:

• Post a clear, accessible privacy policy on your website, outlining how data is collected, used and shared.
• Implement secure payment systems to protect payment data of the website’s users.
• Adopt industry-accepted cybersecurity protocols.
• Conduct regular security audits and encrypt sensitive data to prevent breaches.
• Post terms of service covering payments, refunds and liability limits. Include a choice-of-law clause to specify a jurisdiction for resolving disputes.

In my practice, I offer comprehensive guidance on all these critical issues.

Trademark and service mark protection

Having a unique and distinctive mark protects your brand name, logo and slogans. Failure to secure trademarks or service marks can result in infringement and loss of brand identity as copycats flood the market with look-alikes. 

I perform due diligence, which includes a trademark search via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database to ensure your brand name or logo is available.

While not required, I propose using the ™ symbol next to your mark which indicates you are claiming common law trademark rights, which can deter potential infringers. 

I also provide guidance in situations where your marks might be in conflict with a competitor, taking steps to protect your rights to domain names and other assets. For domain names, I investigate instances of cybersquatting and take action to resolve abuses under the Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA).

Copyright compliance for website content

E-commerce website content can be comprised of words, images and music that could require copyright protection. I advise companies on the steps necessary to protect original content they create and to use the content of other creators legally. I litigate disputes alleging copyright infringement, whether you are the creator or the party accused of unlicensed use of copyrighted material. I am also well-versed in social media law, providing sound advice on company protocols for using social media to grow your brand safely. 

Accomplished e-commerce attorney tailors advice to your business goals

Opening an e-commerce sales channel can deliver many benefits, but this avenue requires proper management and monitoring. Consulting an experienced e-commerce lawyer before you launch your site helps ensure that you operate appropriately, so you are protected from liability as well as from illicit competition. 

Contact a knowledgeable e-commerce attorney who can help anyone anywhere in the world.

Andrew M. Jaffe, Attorney at Law in Fairlawn, Ohio helps businesses launch e-commerce websites that are legally compliant and takes effective measures to protect companies from liability. To schedule a consultation, call 330-845-6027 or contact my office through email at [email protected].