Features
Unconscionable Terms Prevent Enforceability of e-Commerce Contract Clauses
e-Commerce, like traditional commerce, relies on contracts. But unlike traditional commerce, e-commerce typically relies utterly on agreements drafted and presented by one party on a 'take-it-or-leave-it' basis. The validity of such contracts arises from the recipient's 'adherence' to the terms given. These so-called adhesion contracts are enforceable, except to the extent that a court finds a term unconscionable.
I Signed WHAT?!
The typical e-commerce 'Terms and Conditions,' the electronic equivalent of the fine-print contract that governs use of a sales Web site, creates such an unfriendly shopping environment that it makes the legendary 'No soup for you!' restaurant of the television situation comedy Seinfeld seem like the Welcome Wagon. Although I have often written about how the law affecting e-commerce firms ordinarily follows traditional law, the common e-commerce contract stands in stark contrast. Consider the following clauses from actual online agreements obtained in April and May ' and whether you have ever seen anything comparable in any real-world store, much less these Web stores' real-world affiliates.
Features
News Briefs
The latest news from the franchising world.
Court Watch
Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.
Features
Franchisor's Non-Compete Upheld In New Jersey
A franchisor of tax preparation franchises was entitled to a 24-month injunction beginning from the time of the former franchisee's compliance with a non-competition covenant. <i>Jackson Hewitt Inc. v. Childress</i>, Bus. Franchise Guide (CCH) ' 13,849 (D. N.J., Jan. 22, 2008). The permanent injunction was ordered when the court granted the plaintiff franchisor's motion for summary judgment.
Features
FTC Releases Franchise Rule Compliance Guides
Perhaps you've heard: On Jan. 23, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission adopted the comprehensively revised FTC Franchise Rule ('The Amended Rule') and released the 'Statement of Basis and Purpose' ('SBP'), which clarified the Amended Rule's requirements and prohibitions. Compliance with the Amended Rule has been optional since July 1, 2007, and became mandatory on July 1, 2008.
<i><b>Product Review</b></i> JD Supra Seeks to Revolutionize Online Content for Lawyers
As summer associates struggle to answer obscure research questions over the next couple of months, and when their predecessors start full time this fall, they may find an answer to their late-night prayers in JD Supra, a new online service that offers completely free access (with registration) to a variety of documents, including legal memoranda, briefs and unpublished court decisions.
Features
How to Increase Your Odds of Project Success Through the RFP Process
Are you among the majority of IT professionals who view the Request for Proposal ('RFP') as the most tedious business document ever created? The RFP itself is fairly standardized, but the process of collecting information and evaluating vendors is time-consuming and uninspiring. While there are any number of thick manuals that describe the best practices for an RFP process, this article may shed light on some 'quick wins' that will enable you to boost the efficiency of your RFP process.
Features
Ensuring Security with VoIP
Among U.S. businesses, Voice over Internet Protocol ('VoIP') is growing in popularity and will continue to do so. In-Stat predicts that two-thirds of U.S. businesses will have some form of VoIP service by 2011. When deciding to use this powerful technology, organizations should look for VoIP providers that offer specific security measures within their product to ensure that the technology is used most effectively ' and virtually without any security concerns.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar InvestigationsThis article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.Read More ›
- The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year LaterThe DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.Read More ›
- The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance ProgramsThe parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.Read More ›
- Lionsgate GC Who Resigned Without 'Good Reason' Got Severance PayAdd another plot twist to the storyline surrounding Corii Berg, who unexpectedly quit as general counsel of the film studio Lionsgate in December, even though he was under contract through June 2023.Read More ›
- Join Us For a Twitter Chat: Do We Need Offices Anymore?When we think about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the legal industry, one (frankly huge) question comes to mind: Do we really need offices anymore? As many are still working from home, meeting with clients over Zoom and some even conducting jury trials online, life of commuting to and from work seems farther away than February.Read More ›
