What you need to know about Terms of Service and Privacy policies

Author: Samuel Michaels – SM Legal

A Terms of Service (alternatively called a Terms & Conditions) is a legal document provided by a business to their customers. It is usually posted on a dedicated page on the business’ website. The Terms of Service describes the business’ product or service, sales process, and specific rules regarding cancellations, refunds, and returns. The Terms of Service will also often explain how customers should interact with the website, and how the business protects its property and content. Most online businesses will pair a Terms of Service with a dedicated Privacy Policy….[+]

Starting your own business in Ontario

Author: Alex Koch – insight lawyers

The Province of Ontario presents entrepreneurs with many opportunities to start a business; firstly as a host to a significant portion of the Canadian population and secondly as a province offering its residents some of the country’s highest incomes. For this reason many entrepreneurs are seeking to commence their business venture in Ontario; however, it is not always abundantly clear where these entrepreneurs should start and how they should proceed….[+]

Doing it right: How to structure your business

Author: Alex Koch – insight lawyers

With every new venture, there are new challenges. Not all, but some challenges can be avoided with better planning. One of the most common steps overlooked by new businesses is choosing the appropriate business vehicle. Selecting a business structure may not seem as important when you are trying to turn an idea into a business venture; however, it is one of the most important pillars on which your business is going to stand meaning that it is something that must be given thought to at the outset. Most businesses use one of the following five structures:…[+]

Author: Alex Koch – insight lawyers

Any individual who owns at least one share of a company is considered a shareholder. Although there are some laws in place to protect shareholders and to help them make certain decisions, shareholders of most companies prefer to negotiate their relationship with one another and to put it in writing via a shareholders’ agreement. In general, a shareholders’ agreement is a contract among a company’s shareholders used to guide their relationship, management of the company and the ownership and transfer of shares… [+]