UNHAPPY with goods you've bought on the internet? You are entitled to a refund within seven days - or three months if the website does not explain this right to you.

It's an example of the legal twists that both consumers and businesses need to be well aware of before they trade online.

"Website owners now have to comply with a range of legislation, depending on the nature of the website involved - and in particular there are several legal pitfalls for selling goods and services online," said Stuart Pool of Poole digital communications agency Redweb.

Redweb has just teamed up with Dorset law firm Ellis Jones to develop a legal compliance audit to guide website owners through new legislation.

Organisations are being urged to check their sites against the latest laws on data protection and terms and conditions.

Ellis Jones solicitor Elizabeth Gilmour listed some of the most common legal problems in relation to websites:

Standard terms and conditions of business will often not apply unless they have been effectively brought to the attention of the customer before an order is placed;

Collection of personal information through a website (including information collected on the 'contact us' pages) may not be compliant with the Data Protection Act - often because excessive information is collected or insufficient explanation is given about how it will be used;

Website owners often fail to notify their data processing activities - their use of information about individuals - to the Information Commissioner. This is a criminal offence where it is necessary to notify.

First published: January 31