Legal Blogging

The Blog Herald has created a solid article on how to blog legally. I'll outline some of the main points below:

Add a Disclosure Policy
Starting on December 1st all bloggers are required to give full disclosure concerning their relationships with companies they review. This is to ensure the public is not being deceived when they read a positive blog about a company; they know if the review has been influenced by pay or not. It's the same reason testimonials on TV are still branded with the company the testimonial is for, they've been paid.

Add Privacy Policy
If you're gathering contact information on the bloggers following you, let them know what you're using that information for. Not only is this common courtesy, it avoids legal issues if someone finds out you're using their information for something they don't want it used for. Just make sure it's in a clear, obvious place. If you feel guilty enough to have to tuck it away in small print somewhere, chances are you need to change your policy. Your followers will appreciate the honesty.

Add Trademark Clarifications
If your blog is set up to review a certain company's products and is using a name that could make it seem affiliated with that company (ex: AdobeBlogger), make sure it's clear that they have rights to some of the content on your blog. Be careful of using their trademarked name in your blog name, some companies will consider that infringement.

Add Copyright Policy
Make sure followers understand how your content is allowed to be used. Simply by creating the blog and hitting "Publish Post" you own all rights to its content. That said, if you're blogging chances are you want that information shared. Be sure it's clear how much you want to be shared. Can they copy paste your article and claim it as their own? Can they copy paste your article and give credit? Can they rewrite your article in their own words? Can they rewrite your article in their own words as long as credit is given? Can they only link to it? You have full control over all of those choices, you just have to make it clear.

Add Adult Content Disclosures
If your blog contains adult content, make sure that's clear and follows appropriate steps (ex: enter date of birth, if 18+ blog opens up). Also make sure your blog host is willing to have that information on their servers, it's their business space too.

All of these are easy, reasonable steps and will take all of fifteen minutes of company time to discuss. Make sure they're done, it'll save you big headaches later.