Internet, E-Commerce and Website Agreements
The internet and e-commerce document templates in this group cover a broad range of legal and business matters relating to the development, management and use of websites and are widely applicable owing to their flexible and professional drafting.
Edited in Microsoft Word, using an easily-editable and widely compatible format, these documents can be tailored to fit the specific requirements of a broad range of businesses and an equally broad range of circumstances.
From the management of website development and hosting, through to dealing with domain names and online partners to the terms of use governing end-users, these simple-to-use and flexible document templates can be effectively used by any business looking to establish or enhance its presence on the web.
Please click on the links below for full details of the available documents.
Internet, E-Commerce and Website Agreements is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am setting up or revamping a business website. What contracts and policies do I need? +
Think in two layers. Behind the scenes you need agreements with the people who build and host the site, covering who owns the code and content and how the service is delivered. Facing your visitors you need a privacy policy, a cookie notice and, if you sell online, terms and conditions of sale. Website terms of use are strongly advisable on top. This group holds each of these so you can assemble the set your site needs.
Which website documents are legally required and which are just good practice? +
Required: a privacy policy explaining how you handle personal data under UK GDPR, a cookie notice with consent for non-essential cookies under PECR and the trader identity details every site must show under the Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002. If you sell online you also need pre-contract information and cancellation terms. Good practice but not compulsory: website terms of use and disclaimers, which protect you even though no statute forces them.
Who owns my website and its content once a developer has built it? +
Not you, unless you agree it in writing. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 the person who creates a work is the first owner of the copyright, so a freelance or agency developer owns the code and design they produce even though you paid for it. To own it you need a written assignment of the intellectual property in the development contract. Without one you may only have an implied licence to use the site.
Do I need website terms and conditions if I only provide information and do not sell online? +
You still need the legal basics even for a brochure site. A privacy policy and cookie notice are required if you collect any personal data or set non-essential cookies, and you must show your trader identity details. Website terms of use are not compulsory but are worth having to set the rules for visitors, limit your liability for the information you publish and protect your content. You only need sale terms once you actually sell.
How do the online selling rules differ from selling in a shop? +
Selling at a distance carries extra duties. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you must give consumers set pre-contract information and a 14-day right to cancel most online orders, which does not apply to a face-to-face shop sale. You must also show trader identity details under the Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002. The website terms in this group are built to meet these online selling rules.
