Internet Business

The Internet poses many of the same issues that surround traditional media, including intellectual property protection, defamation, and effective licensing. It also poses special challenges, notably in the areas of security, privacy, syndication, linking, blogging, and liability of users, ISPs (Internet Service Providers), and others. Technological experience and a thorough understanding of how the Internet is used — and abused — are critical to providing effective counsel to our clients.

Sonnenschein lawyers are well versed in all aspects of structuring Internet relationships, such as affiliate networks, privacy policies and terms of use, as well as co-marketing, technology licensing, site development, ASP models and outsourcing agreements. Sonnenschein has represented numerous ISPs, major networking companies, and entertainment firms in Internet matters. We are vigilant in monitoring, analyzing and influencing developments in Internet law, interpreting these issues and statutes such as CAN-SPAM and the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) that affect many of our clients in the advertising, communications, entertainment, media and music industries. For example, we successfully handled the first DMCA anti-circumvention case addressing online access to massive multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG).

We work closely with both large and start-up Internet-based businesses on a range of new technology issues, from patent protection to click fraud.  Our teams include our Information Security & Internet Enforcement lawyers who provide additional background and experience on security, computer fraud and investigative matters.  In light of the global reach of the Internet, we regularly deal with multi-national issues to fully address our client's Internet business needs.