As expensive and controversial customer relationship management technology becomes increasingly prevalent, that phenomenon is likely to increase. They state that the data collected may be used by the company or transferred unless the user requests otherwise. As a result, companies are looking at the increased commercial value of 'clean' databases, based on 'opt-in' users. Another important issue is whether or not VAT is chargeable on international on-line sales. The VAT analysis depends on so many things, such as where you're selling to, who you're selling to.
All companies are fully aware of the importance of their domain name.
Very little UK-specific legislation operates to protect domain names, but last year's One in a million case determined that if domains are registered which incorporate the trademark of an existing brand and if they are registered with the intention of selling them back to the brand owner, they constitute 'instruments of fraud'. In this instance, the defendants were ordered to return the domains. However, brand owners can only take a little comfort from the decision. Having names returned still requires court intervention and the risk of unpaid legal costs by Internet malefactors. But suppliers considering the global market place or reputations must also be on the lookout for registrations in what Internet lawyers describe as 'danger list' jurisdictions.