Legal Question in Business Law in New Jersey

Re: Internet website/business info

It is difficult to give a definitive answer without knowing more about what type of information you intend to compile, who provides it, what quality checks there are on the information, how you will make corrections, and what you will base your charges on. It is probable that what you propose is "legal" in the sense that it will not violate a statute however it is very risky. If you provide the information for a fee, you are not protected by many of the statutes and common law rules that protect ISP's and publishers of news and commentary. Even if you publish what you are told in good faith, you will be sued by those who claim that the information is incorrect and defamatory. You need to figure the cost of defense in your business plan. If publication of information about people is a primary purpose of your business, it is not likely to be covered by a standard business liability insurance policy. For those reasons, it is critical that you have a lawyer review your business plan before you commit to it. It may be that you can win every suit in principle but still not afford to defend them.

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