Internet can be 'legal minefield' for small businesses

The internet can be a "legal minefield" for small businesses, according to a spokesperson from the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Phil McCabe was discussing the new rules featured in the Companies Act 2006, which came into force at the start of this month.

These include making sure that a firm's name, place of registration and registered address are all present on every email and on its website.

He warned that "many [small businesses] may not be fully aware of what they have to do to comply with the law", explaining that "there are other, perhaps less obvious dangers".

"Specific regulations force firms trading online to display certain details, there are accessibility rules to ensure that websites are available to everybody and also requirements covering copyright, data protection and privacy," he said.

Small businesses should also be aware that if they conduct business online then they are also subject to the E-commerce Regulations Act 2002.