Attorney Luke Ellis spoke to fellow attorney Chris Johns about Web site businesses and legal issues affecting intellectual property issues.

If you’re looking to start a Web business, Johns said there are five things you may consider consulting an attorney about:

1) Copyright
2) Use of trademarks
3) Defamation or misrepresentation
4) Domain names
5) Linking

For example, copyright involves works created by other people. Just by following some simple steps you can minimize infringing on someone else’s works.

Steps include creating your own content, using clip-art libraries for images, using the public domain and getting permission if you do use information that is not self-generated.

In addition, it is important to take note of the domain name you choose.

"For an Internet business, the domain name is important," Johns said. "That’s how consumers out in the market are going to identify you, how they’re going to find you on the Internet."

Johns suggested focusing on a few main points. Make sure the domain name is available and has the possibility of a trademark. You can do that by going to USPTO.gov and doing a search to make sure it’s available. Then you can register your domain name.

After that, Johns suggested approaching an attorney who can help you register your domain name and company name.

In addition, he said you should try to get all the "high level" or "top level" domain names (.com, .biz, .net, etc.) if you can.

From a legal perspective, Johns said it’s important to be watchful of your linking in order to reduce the risk of some type of infringement.