Revision Legal’s attorneys are experts in Internet law. Our lawyers have represented individuals and businesses in Internet law issues across the United States, including domain name disputes, online trademark and copyright infringement, online defamation, e-commerce contracts, and website agreements.

Internet Law Services for Lansing Businesses

Lansing’s business community — spanning government contractors, healthcare providers, technology companies, financial services firms, and retail businesses — conducts a growing portion of its commerce online. That commerce brings legal complexity. Every business with a website, an e-commerce platform, or a social media presence is operating under a web of federal and state legal obligations that a general practitioner may not fully understand. Revision Legal’s Internet lawyers know this territory in depth.

Core Areas of Internet Law Practice

• Website terms of service and privacy policies — enforceable agreements that limit your liability, protect your data practices, and establish the legal framework governing your relationship with users;
• E-commerce contracts — including online sales agreements, subscription terms, auto-renewal disclosures required under Michigan law, and refund and return policies;
• Domain name disputes — UDRP proceedings against cybersquatters and ACPA litigation to recover domain names registered in bad faith;
• Online trademark and copyright infringement — including DMCA takedown procedures, marketplace enforcement on Amazon and other platforms, and keyword advertising disputes;
• Online defamation — false statements published on review sites, social media, and message boards create real reputational and business harm. We advise on Section 230, identify defendants through John Doe discovery, and pursue defamation claims in state and federal court;
• Data privacy compliance — FTC Act compliance, COPPA obligations, CCPA requirements for businesses serving California residents, and GDPR compliance for businesses with European customers;
• Website accessibility — ADA Title III claims for inaccessible websites are a growing source of litigation; we advise on WCAG compliance and defend accessibility lawsuits.

Section 230 and Platform Liability

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230) is the legal foundation of the modern internet. It generally immunizes interactive computer service providers from liability for content posted by third-party users. But the immunity has limits — it does not cover intellectual property claims, federal criminal liability, or content the platform materially contributes to or develops. Lansing businesses that host user-generated content need to understand both the protections and the limitations of Section 230.

Online Defamation: Identifying and Pursuing Anonymous Defendants

Online defamation is a serious problem for Lansing businesses and professionals. Competitors, disgruntled former employees, or anonymous bad actors can post false reviews or defamatory content that causes real economic damage. Revision Legal’s Internet lawyers can help identify anonymous posters through John Doe subpoenas, assess the strength of defamation claims, and pursue the appropriate legal remedies — including injunctions and damages — against those responsible.

Internet Compliance for E-Commerce

Michigan businesses selling products or services online face specific compliance obligations, including the FTC’s Guides for the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, CAN-SPAM Act requirements for commercial email, the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act for negative option offers, and Michigan Consumer Protection Act requirements. Revision Legal advises e-commerce clients on building compliant online businesses from the ground up.

If you are a Lansing individual or business that seeks Internet law help, contact Revision Legal’s Lansing Internet lawyers today at 855-473-8474 or through our online contact form.

About Revision Legal

Revision Legal is a national internet and intellectual property law firm with deep roots in Michigan. Founded in Traverse City, the firm has grown to serve clients across the United States — from individual entrepreneurs and independent creators to mid-size companies and publicly traded corporations. We focus exclusively on intellectual property, internet law, and technology law, which means our attorneys develop deep expertise in these areas rather than spreading themselves thin across unrelated practice areas.

Our attorneys have litigated trademark, copyright, trade secret, and internet law matters in federal district courts and courts of appeals across the country, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the Ninth Circuit. We have handled proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Copyright Office. We have also represented clients in ICANN UDRP proceedings before WIPO and the National Arbitration Forum.

For our Lansing clients, Revision Legal combines the depth and resources of a national intellectual property practice with the responsiveness and accessibility of a local law firm. We understand Lansing’s business environment and the legal issues that Lansing’s businesses face. Whether you are a startup protecting a new brand for the first time or an established company managing a large IP portfolio, Revision Legal’s attorneys have the expertise and the tools to serve you effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does trademark registration take? USPTO trademark registration typically takes 12 to 18 months from the filing date for straightforward applications. Applications that receive Office Actions, opposition proceedings, or other complications may take longer. Revision Legal will keep you informed of your application’s status throughout the process.

What is the cost of trademark registration? Government filing fees per class of goods or services range from $250 to $350 per class depending on the application basis and form. Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of the mark and the number of classes. Revision Legal offers flat-fee trademark registration packages that include the government fee, clearance search, application preparation, and one standard Office Action response.

Do I need to register my trademark before I start using it? No — trademark rights arise through use. But registration provides significantly stronger legal protection and should be initiated as early as possible. You can file an intent-to-use application before your first commercial use, which establishes a priority date from your filing date.

What if someone is already using a similar name? Whether a similar existing use creates a legal problem depends on: how similar the marks are; how similar the goods or services are; whether the existing use is registered; and the geographic scope of each use. A trademark clearance opinion from Revision Legal will assess these factors and give you a practical risk assessment.

The Cost of Waiting: Why Early IP Protection Matters

One of the most common and costly mistakes businesses make is delaying intellectual property protection until after a problem arises. A trademark that is not registered can be lost to a competitor who files first. A copyright that is not registered before infringement occurs cannot support a claim for statutory damages or attorney’s fees. A trade secret that is not protected by adequate confidentiality agreements may be disclosed without remedy.

The cost of early, proactive intellectual property protection is a fraction of the cost of reactive enforcement after rights have been compromised. Trademark registration, copyright registration, and basic contractual protections for trade secrets are modest investments relative to the value of the brand equity, creative works, and proprietary information they protect. Revision Legal makes these protections accessible through flat-fee service packages that give clients the professional representation they need at a predictable, budgetable cost.

Early protection also creates business value beyond pure legal defense. Registered trademarks and copyrights are balance sheet assets that increase the value of a business in sale, merger, and financing transactions. Investors, acquirers, and lenders conduct IP due diligence as a matter of course, and a well-organized, properly documented IP portfolio signals that a business is professionally managed and its core assets are secure.

Do not wait for a cease-and-desist letter or an infringement lawsuit to make IP protection a priority. Take action now, while the cost is manageable and the available protections are still fully intact. Contact Revision Legal today at 855-473-8474 or through our online contact form to discuss your intellectual property needs.