The practice of Internet and e-commerce law is by definition interdisciplinary — the application of a range of legal disciplines to a developing mode of communication and commerce. Hogan & Hartson's Internet and e-commerce practice group is composed of lawyers who combine significant intellectual property knowledge with in-depth business experience. We are sensitive to the practical needs and exigencies of operating a global business in cyberspace and benefit from our ability to draw upon the firm’s broad and deep international experience in other pertinent legal fields, such as privacy, business and finance, e-health, tax, and licensing.

Our Internet and e-commerce team has extensive experience with acquiring, protecting, and commercializing intellectual property and formulating strategies for limiting exposure to all types of commercial liability. This breadth of experience provides a strong base from which to counsel clients on cutting edge strategies for all of their Internet and intranet activities. Our attorneys advise a broad spectrum of clients, from start-up companies to multinational corporations, concerning their legal needs related to their online business. Our services include structuring Web site design, development, and hosting transactions; assisting with content acquisitions, linking arrangements, and limited access site subscriptions; drafting appropriate legal notices, disclaimers, and proprietary legends for electronic publications; and performing audits of existing Web sites.

Related Experience

• We handle numerous cybersquatting and domain name infringement actions in federal courts and internationally in proceedings under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.
• We conduct Web site audits for entities such as a major insurance company, a leading medical school, a trade association, international pharmaceutical companies, and an online magazine publisher.
• We draft content license agreements for online use of text, graphics, video, songs, musical performances, and individuals’ names, likenesses, and personal characteristics for companies such as a major cable television network, online publishers of entertainment software, and electronic publishers in a variety of fields including human resources, health care, and residential real estate.
• We counsel content aggregators and providers in transactions to supply content for electronic publication to newspapers with nationwide circulation.
• We advise multinational companies on Internet monitoring and systems usage and draft global polices for international compliance.
• For the first entirely electronic bank in the United States, we structured the licenses for the distribution, outsourcing, and service bureau usage of the Internet banking software it used.
• We draft a broad array of online agreements, including “click-wrap” software license agreements and submission consent agreements, for a wide variety of clients.
• We routinely advise Web site hosts and developers on Internet gaming, contests, sweepstakes, and lottery issues.
• We regularly represent clients in negotiating and structuring contractual relationships with Internet access providers.
• When a major multimedia publisher wanted to make its computer games available for play on the Internet, we structured the transaction.
• We frequently advise clients on the steps to take when they discover unauthorized use of their trademarks on the Internet.