Abstract

Is your health Web site leaving you open to litigation? In the rush and enthusiasm to develop your site, the legal implications can be easily overlooked. This article aims to raise awareness of some of the most important legal issues that need to be considered. It concentrates on three key areas: the Data Protection Act 1998; infringement of intellectual property; and limited liability. The opinions come from a librarian who is currently developing health Web pages, not from a lawyer. This article is therefore largely an introduction to the subject. It attempts to point readers to the most important resources they will require to begin to discuss these complex issues cogently with those people in their organisation with the legal responsibilities for these areas.