As you develop your company’s website, you will make many decisions. Along with colors, logos, and content, you may also want to consider whether to include terms and conditions on your website. Your Florida business attorney can discuss the laws related to setting up your website. In this article, we will be exploring only issues surrounding terms and conditions.
Terms and Conditions, Defined
You have probably seen these on websites you have accessed. In fact, you may have had to agree to the terms before using the website or app.
One online business dictionary defines terms and conditions as:
“General and special arrangements, provisions, requirements, rules, specifications, and standards that form an integral part of an agreement or contract.”
Terms and Conditions may also be called “Terms of Service” or “Terms of Use Agreement.” No matter what they are called, they serve as a kind of contract between you and your customers.
Required by Law … or Not?
In most cases, the law does not require you to include terms. However, there are still several reasons to include them on your website, including:
- Establishes rules and codes of conduct for people using your website.
- Informs people of your intellectual property ownership over content, logos, etc.
- Limits your liability for errors that appear on the website.
- Allows you to terminate accounts or ban abusive users.
- Sets forth your privacy policy.
- Describes complaint processes and dispute resolution.
- Establishes the law that governs your website.
You could consider the terms and conditions language on your website as a form of protection. Notifying users of the information listed above might minimize the chance a disgruntled website user will sue you.
Discuss Terms and Conditions with Your Florida Business Attorney.
It’s essential to follow the law when setting up your website. Even though laws don’t require Terms and Conditions, the language used in them will be interpreted by law.
Attorney Richard Sierra at the Florida Small Business Center assists clients like you with business and litigation matters. As always, Our Goal Is to Help You Succeed™. For an appointment, you may call us at 1-866-842-5202 or use the contact form on our website. We represent clients throughout the State of Florida, including Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Deerfield Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa, and surrounding communities.