legal issues

my website is coming along well, it's pretty much done, i'm just perking it up now. One problem i've come across is dealing with the legal issues. Some kinda protection for the stuff on the site. I've come across several websites that generate privacy policies, and i've created my own through them. The one thing i haven't been able to find is a model 'terms of service'. Something i can follow to create my own.

TrustE.org has the 'model privacy policy' which is great. Anyone know of such a site for a 'model terms of service'. Does anyone have any tips on what i should tell the people that visit my site?

You don't really need a model. Just be honest and tell your customers what you plan to do with their sensitive data. The customers will expect a plain English answer, not a legal mumbo jumbo page.

Hi,

As has already been said, it is best just to write up about your service etc, however I know how bloody hard that can be for a non writer like myself, so I paid someone to write one for one of my personal projects I am working on...

Membership: Terms & Conditions

When you ("You" or "User") use this Internet web site ("Site"), You agree to the following terms and conditions (the "User Agreement"). MyCompany.net. ("MyCompany.net" or "We") may revise these terms from time to time, at our sole discretion, by updating this posting. Unless otherwise provided below, the revised terms will take effect when they are posted. BY CONTINUING TO USE THE SITE, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS OF THIS USE AGREEMENT AND ALL REVISIONS THEREOF.

Each individual may sign up only once.

Each developer may sign up only once. If for any reason your membership is terminated by MyCompany.net, you may not sign up again.

A member may cancel at any time by logging in and deleting account:

You may delete your account by logging on and selecting the Account Closure link, in the event that this fails you may contact EMAIL ADDRESS.

You must be 18 years old or older to become a member:

This Site is for Adults Only. Our services are available only to individuals who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law.

Registration as a member of MyCompany.net:

As part of registration, You may set up a Personal / Company Profile describing your experience and or qualifications. All the information requested in the Profile form is optional. If you decide to offer a service, developers will look at your Profile to help them decide whether to make use of your service. Therefore, we suggest that you create a Profile.

Anti-Spam Policy:

MyCompany.net prohibits members from any type of spamming. It is considered spamming when a person sends unsolicited email to another person without their prior consent.

Payment & Incentives:

A member may choose to offer payment or an incentive (a copy of the software) if they so choose. This is strictly up to the developer and tester upon the agreement and terms of their relationship and MyCompany.net has no part of said agreement and can not be held liable for any breach that may occur in said contract.

MyCompany.net reserves the right to remove any member at any time without prior written notification.

MyCompany.net retains all rights to the MyCompany.net business name, site logo, databases, web site, and all information concerning MyCompany.net. No part of the MyCompany.net web site may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of MyCompany.net.

MyCompany.net, its managers, partners, and or sponsors can not be held liable for any damage or loss of information that may occur from the use of MyCompany.net services.

All Members agree to use our services at their own risk.

MyCompany.net will make every effort to verify and maintain a high standard of quality service. As with any service, there are not guarantees regarding the dependency or accuracy of said service.

All terms of this agreement are subject to change at any time without the prior notification or approval of the members. It is your responsibility as a member to stay current with changes made in our policies.

By joining MyCompany.net, you are agreeing to these Terms & Conditions that we have posted on our Web Site for all to read. Please do not join MyCompany.net if you do not agree with ALL of our Polices.

Yes I will kindly allow you to use this as a template for your own use. Note that any reference to 'MyCompany' is entirely fictional and modified from my real company for privacy as the web service is yet to be launched publicly

HTH