Legal Question in Business Law in Virginia

Website Ownership

I have helped my girlfriend with her shop for over the last 2 years. She established an LLC for the business in which my name is not on. In fact my name is not on any of the business what so ever. I purchased a domain name and website using my own money.

About 10 days ago I also gave her $3000 to help her out with her shoppe which was hurting badly. Their was no documnetation written but only the check. Over the last two weeks there has been personal probelms in which we can no longer be business partners.

She is demanding I hand over the website and domain name to her. Neither her business or herslef paid for the domain or website.. it was all my money. It has been up and running for 2 years. She has not paid me to run it or any maintenance fees on it. Am I legally obligated to give it to her?

I suggested that 50% of all net profits from the website (its a drop ship site) and 50% goes to her shop. She refused she wants all of it. She says since the site has been affiliated with the shop for so long that the it belongs to the shop. Is she right?

Now if I am legally allowed to keep the site, can I just get my own wholesale/tax ID's and run it as I have. I will all items/photos to do with her shop.


Asked on 11/28/08, 8:51 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Joshua Heard

Re: Website Ownership

Well, you own rights to the domain name. However, you may be in violation of the law by running a website that purports to be your girlfriend's business.

On the other hand, you could use the website to compete with your girlfriend's business.

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Answered on 12/01/08, 10:04 am
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Website Ownership

No, this girlfriend is not right with respect to her claims, and I see no reason as to why you could not continue to run it as you've apparently been doing.

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Answered on 11/29/08, 10:23 am


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