Legal Considerations for Blogging as a Business – Recap

The Business Law Class, titled Legal Considerations for Blogging as a Business, was taught by my dad, Jim Summers. He has helped behind the scenes as I transitioned $5 Dinners into a blog business.  He understands the world of blogging and how it relates to the law of the land.

The Business Law class was divided into 5 main parts and was jam-packed with useful and practical information.  It began with an overview of the different choices that bloggers have when it comes to what type of legal business entity they would like their business to be…an LLC, LLP, sole proprietorship, etc. He gave a run down the various steps required to become an official business, including how to file paperwork with the Secretary of State, set up bank accounts and the basics of bookkeeping.

As we begin to work with PR firms and major corporations for reviews, giveaways and even consulting work, it is important for us to understand the different types of business agreements that we might encounter in our work.  He went over the importance of non-disclosure agreements, engagement agreements, and employee or independent contractor agreements.

A consideration for us as we disclose our blog’s statistics…do we care if PR firms and companies use these numbers and share them with other people?!  If you wish for your numbers and statistics to remain private, then you’d need to ask the PR firm or company to sign a non-disclosure agreement. (This I had not considered before.)

He also discussed the importance of trademark and copyright protection, as well as the evolution of Internet Law, the importance of addressing Cyberstalking and the laws surrounding that matter.  He stressed the importance of proper bookkeeping and maintaining organized records of your blog business’ finances.

A few other highlights from the Business Law talk:

• All review products of “certain” value must be claimed for their fair market value on taxes.
• The fair market value of a paid business trip must also be claimed as income on taxes.
• Avoid oral contracts at all costs…a written email exchange and agreement is a viable contract, but an official (signed by both parties) is essential to successful business.
• Contracts define the rights and obligations of your business.
• Straight copying and pasting of another blogger’s work is ILLEGAL. It is a copyright violation.
• Have business plan in place…it is the roadmap that describes where you’re going and how you’re going to get there…it will guide you as you work towards achieving your goals.

The complete audio file of the Business Law session along with the power point presentation and corresponding notes is available for purchase. Click the button below to purchase the Business Law session recorded live at the 2010 Savvy Blogging Summit.

2010 Savvy Blogging Summit Business Law Session

$10

Erin Chase is the author of The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook and founder of $5 Dinners.com.  When not whipping up new recipes in the kitchen or chasing after the little people, she enjoys scrapbooking, running and being outside. She lives in Ohio with her husband and 3 little men.