E-Commerce

Structure Law Group, LLP helps startups and established Texas businesses comply with state and federal regulations, establish themselves in the marketplace, and protect themselves from damaging liability. Our E-commerce attorneys operate in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and Austin, TX, - all of the established and emerging tech hubs in the country. With the reach and resources of a large firm, we offer the personalized assistance of a small firm. Our attorneys will stay with your Austin business from the first day we meet, itemize your company's goals and benchmarks, and help you meet those benchmarks along the way. As your trusted advisor, Structure Law Group, LLP measures our success in terms of your success.

E-commerce is a generalized term for offering goods and services over the internet. Within the past 30 years, the internet has become one of the foremost conveyors of goods and services. Nonetheless, with any disruptive technology, there are legal issues that need to be addressed. In a changing regulatory landscape where a landmark decision can change the law forever, Structure Law Group, LLP E-Commerce Attorneys will ensure that your company is safe from potential liability emerging from E-Commerce.

SLG has been operating in Silicon Valley since the very beginning of the “dot com boom”. which began in the mid-’90s continuing to reach new milestones every year. Our clients range from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Having been at ground zero from the very beginning, we can help your company anticipate any potential legal hurdles your business might face.

Some of the companies we represent offer services such as:

• Development of e-Commerce platforms such as SaaS
• Cloud computing
• Social media networking
• Internet marketing
• Distribution
• Online education

We help clients:

• Draft service agreements
• Draft privacy policies
• Draft click-through agreements

In addition to federal laws, businesses must also abide by state laws which are different from state to state. SLG E-Commerce Attorneys are perfectly suited to help multi-state businesses in the tech sector navigate complex jurisdictional issues that can cost them money. Matters subject to state law include:

• Product liability and personal injury lawsuits
• Sales tax
• Professional negligence and liability
• Jurisdiction in lawsuits
• State-level health and safety regulations
• Shipping regulations
• Labor law including wage and hour issues
• Employment discrimination and hostile work environment claims

SLG can help your Austin area business navigate laws regarding online advertising. Texas regulations are not quite as strict as California, but Texas businesses will want to ensure compliance with the regulations that do exist. SLG E-Commerce Attorneys can help ensure your advertising is in compliance with Texas regulations.

The vast majority of regulations involving advertising and e-Commerce involve the FTC. Regardless of whether you are a brick-and-mortar store or an online business (or both), you will need to be aware of these regulations when conducting business anywhere in the United States. The Austin E-Commerce attorneys at SLG can help protect you from FTC violations including:

• False or misleading advertising claims
• False or deceptive promises
• Failure to adhere to guidelines concerning children’s toys
• Violations of Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA)

The privacy of children is and has always been of the utmost importance to lawmakers. This means there are specific regulations placed on companies when advertising to children or using personal information. COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act) is especially harsh. Even if you made a legitimate mistake, had no idea the end-user was a child, and it’s only your Austin businesses first violation, you can still face hefty fines handed down by the FTC.

Security breaches are becoming a serious liability issue for online businesses. Terms of service policies and privacy policies can help businesses protect themselves from damaging liability emerging from security breaches. Policies that protect user data will need to be reviewed periodically to ensure your company is in compliance with changing regulations.

Security breach lawsuits require plaintiffs to prove negligence. If your Austin company can demonstrate that it took reasonable steps to secure your customers’ data, it is less likely that a successful lawsuit will result in major damages. The Austin corporate and E-commerce attorneys at SLG can take preventative steps to safeguard your business from potential lawsuits and minimize your liability if lawsuits do occur.

Contracts involve vendors, shipping, employment, other businesses, and more. E-commerce businesses tend to have contracts with IT providers, web hosts, accountants, and provider platforms.

Any contract you sign can expose your Austin business to liability. SLG’s E-Commerce attorneys have drafted and managed hundreds of contracts for tech industry and Austin Texas E-Commerce businesses. SLG can handle the drafting, negotiating, and enforcement of valuable company contracts, proactively protecting your firm from contract disputes that often lead to litigation and business loss. When disputes arise, SLG’s Austin business litigation attorneys have extensive experience in contract dispute resolution and will represent you in court or arbitration hearings.

Structure Law Group, LLP has an advanced understanding of the regulatory architecture in which today’s e-Commerce businesses operate. That’s because we were there in Silicon Valley 30 years ago when many of those rules were first being drafted. With outlets in Austin, we are ideally situated to help both established and emerging businesses in the Austin tech sector. Call our Austin business lawyers today at (512) 881-7500 to discuss your company’s needs and we can begin advising you on your next moves.