Website Legal Issues

[Seraph]

Hey Everyone,

I'm getting ready to launch my muse but there is one thing holding the project back. Legal issues. I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a reliable, trustworthy source for legal issues concerning websites. I'm particularly worried about protection from frivolous law suits. I plan to take out legal insurance for my site but want to make sure I know about disclaimers and any other precautionary actions. Mainly I'm concerned about protecting myself from vultures who make a living off frivolous lawsuits (yes they're out there). A friend of mine who runs a similar website ran up a debt of 100k paying his lawyers to do paperwork against a case with no merit.

My muse is essentially a consumer information site which will contain info on over the counter remedies as well as prescription drugs. All info is based on scientific research or backed by legitimate news sources.

Any advice or info you can point me to would be of great help. Thanks in advance.

[Grayman]

I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a reliable, trustworthy source for legal issues concerning websites.

A lawyer? One that specializes in the internet and websites I would guess. If you're that worried you should go see one up front and get all your bases covered. Asking on the internet for legal advice is never a good thing.

[kamakiri]

A prominently displayed disclaimer should be enough.

I wouldn't believe a thing your friend said. If a case has no merit, then go to court and spend no money. The average national hourly rate for lawyers is $220. 100k is nearly 500 hours.

Aside from the factually challenged material you provided, how are you going to run a site that deals with that many drugs? Take a look at drugs.com or rxlist. Why would anyone in their right mind want to compete with these giants? They have armies of 40HWW drones. Not going to win here.

Choose a niche. Find the places where your customers go, and be there. Being everything to everyone only usually works if you make $375 million in an IPO, and even then they tend to blow it.

Stay away from real drugs, and very far away from prescriptions.