An eLearning course by Nicola Goldschadt
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Learning unit 1
Imprint obligations
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Brief description
In this learning unit, you will learn when you need which legal information and where you should best place it. You should also be made aware of what the user can expect and what legal risks exist for you.
Structure
In this learning unit you can expect:
- Who must provide an imprint?
- How should an imprint be designed?
- Where should the imprint information be stored?
Initial scenario
The website is taking shape. Ideas for the structure are there, the texts are being created, the booking forms are ready – but wait. Wasn’t there still this imprint? What is it anyway, does it affect me and how should I design it?
Video
Summary
A business presence on the Internet requires imprint information. These are therefore required if money is to be earned with a service or products.
The imprint must contain the following points:
- Operator of the website/person responsible
- Accessibility by post, telephone and e-mail
- Sales tax identification number
The information must be arranged in such a way that it is easily recognizable, does not have to be searched for on several sub-pages and is not lost in a continuous text. It is therefore advisable to create a separate tab. The legal notice must also always be up to date.
If the homepage links to social services such as Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, an imprint must also be listed there. On Facebook, the entry is provided under “Info”; on Instagram and Pinterest, a link to the profile should be provided.
Attention!
A missing legal notice may constitute an infringement of competition law. This means that a missing legal notice could result in a competitor issuing a warning with costs.
Initial scenario
The design of the legal notice is an additional task that the legislator has imposed on every website operator. However, as you can see, it is relatively quick and easy to get to grips with. As the legal notice requirements are so clear, a missing legal notice is immediately noticeable and is then only too likely to be objected to by a competitor. The right design would therefore cover a major legal pitfall in website design.
But it is not the only one. There are other points to consider when setting up the homepage, which will be the subject of the next learning units.