Internet is 'legal minefield'

12:56 17th October 2008

The internet can be a legal minefield for small business owners, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has suggested.

The non-governmental organisation warned owners of small firms to be aware of new legislation that requires companies to display their name, place of registration and office address on every email and within their website.

In addition, the implementation of sections 82 and 85 of the Companies Act 2006 issued new laws which demand that businesses storing data must notify the Information Commissioner's Office.

Phil McCabe, spokesman for the FPB, said: "For small business owners, the internet can be a legal minefield and many may not be fully aware of what they have to do to comply with the law."

The FPB was established in 1977 and now represents 25,000 UK-based private businesses, which employ around 600,000 people.

Earlier this week, Forrester Research predicted that spending on Web 2.0 tools will fall, amid increasing competition and a weak economy.