Think Your Business is Safe Online?
Think Again!
Think Your Business is Safe Online?
Think Again!
Without Comprehensive Legal Documentation, You’re at Risk.
Without Comprehensive Legal Documentation, You’re at Risk.
If You’re Not Legally Protected,
You’re Legally Exposed.™
If You’re Not Legally Protected,
You’re Legally Exposed.™
Products Designed Specifically for
Our products are purpose-built for ESTAGE Hubs.
Most will NOT work with other websites.
We do provide products specifically designed for WordPress sites at:
A comprehensive marketing compliance book and video training courses provide the knowledge and tools needed to navigate these regulations with confidence.
Non-compliance can result in devastating fines, reputational damage, and even business closure.
Learn how to create compliant marketing campaigns, avoid costly mistakes, and protect your business from regulatory risks.
An A.I, powered software that provides you a report on your content's compliance covering 23 areas. It gives an overall score, lists potential violations, and highlights and provides an explanation for any potential violations right in your dontent.
Non-compliance can result in devastating fines, reputational damage, and even business closure.
Check your website, sales copy, video scripts, and more to make sure you are FTC and FCC Compliant .
Here Are Some Actual Real-Life Cases
Read About Businesses That Were Fined and Sued and It Cost Them Thousands
Terms of Use &
Legal Consent
Terms of Use &
Legal Consent
Both the U.S. and E.U. require "clear notice" and "active consent" to Terms of Use.
Nguyen v. Barnes & Noble, Inc. (2014 9th Cir.)
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that Barnes & Noble failed to prove Nguyen had actual or constructive notice of the Terms of Use (ToU) which would require arbitration and not allow Nguyen to sue Barnes and Noble.
The hyperlink to the ToU was placed at the bottom of the webpage, and Nguyen was NOT required to affirmatively acknowledge the ToU.
Nguyen was allowed to sue Barnes & Noble.
See also, Meyer v. Uber Technologies, Inc. (2017 2nd Cir.)
Same ruling as Nguyen v. Barnes and Noble.
Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) v. Peek & Cloppenburg (2021 Germany)
A fashion retailer’s website had Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) accessible only via a hyperlink at the bottom of the checkout page. The BGH ruled:
The T&Cs weren’t "explicitly brought to attention" of the user.
The site didn’t require users to affirmatively agree to the T&C's
The Terms & Conditions were unenforceable against the consumer.
Refund Policy Disclosure & Legal Consent
Refund Policy Disclosure & Legal Consent
FTC v. Commerce Planet, Inc. (2013)
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) v. Wowcher Ltd (2021 UK)
Wowcher, a UK-based website, had a Refund Policy but:
Buried refund terms in its FAQs, and
Misled consumers by claiming purchases were "non-refundable" despite legal obligations to refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen v. Amazon EU (2020 Court of Justice of the European Union)
Amazon’s German site defaulted to "immediate performance" which waived their 14-day right to withdraw. Under the Consumer Rights Directive (Art. 9, 16), online sellers must:
Clearly display refund/return policies.
Obtain explicit consent for waiving withdrawal rights.
Consumers would be allowed to sue Amazon for damages for the violation and fines could be imposed.
No Legal Pages
Inadequate Legal Pages
No Legal Pages
Inadequate Legal Pages
FTC v. Credit Bureau Center, LLC (2019 7th Circuit)
A small credit monitoring business was sued by the FTC for:
Failing to provide a Privacy Policy despite collecting consumer data.
Enrolling users in recurring charges without clear Terms of Use disclosing payment terms.
The company was fined $5,800,000.00 and ordered to create compliant policies and pay restitution to consumers.
California v. Mobile App Developer (2023)
A small fitness app developer (fewer than 10 employees) was sued by California’s Attorney General for:
Failing to post a Privacy Policy despite collecting user information.
No Terms of Use to disclose refund rules
The business settled for a $75,000.00 fine and had to create their Legal Policies under state supervision.
Greek DPA v. Local E-Shop (2021)
A family-run online gift store was challenged by Greek Data Protection authorities for:
No Privacy Policy on its website
No cookie banner to obtain consent for tracking
The company had to pay a €8,000.00 fine.
No Written Contract
Offline Services
No Written Contract
Offline Services
Sellers v. JustAnswer LLC (2021 N.D. Cal.)
JustAnswer (a Q&A platform) connected users with professionals (e.g., doctors, lawyers) without written contracts governing offline advice. A user sued after relying on unlicensed medical advice (given via phone) that worsened a health condition. The Court held JustAnswer liable for negligent misrepresentation and unfair business practices finding that the lack of written terms disclaiming liability for offline interactions created apparent agency.
JustAnswer settled for $1,200,000.00.
Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) v. HolidayCheck (2020 Germany)
HolidayCheck listed hotels but had no written contracts specifying it was merely a booking intermediary.A guest sued after a hotel-related injury, claiming the platform vouched for safety standards.
The German Federal Court held HolidayCheck jointly liable because the absence of clear written terms disclaiming liability for third-party services misled consumers.
HolidayCheck was fined €500K + ordered to revise its terms.
Doe v. TaskRabbit, Inc. (2022 N.D. Cal.)
A TaskRabbit user hired a cleaner ("Tasker") through the platform to clean their home. The Tasker stole jewelry and cash during the job. The user sued TaskRabbit, arguing the platform failed to provide a written contract clarifying TaskRabbit’s role as a mere intermediary (not an employer/guarantor of services).
TaskRabbit settled the case for $300,000.00.
Handicap Accessibility
ADA, State & International
Handicap Accessibility
ADA, State & International
Gil v. Winn-Dixie Stores (2021 11th Circuit)
Winn-Dixie's grocery store website violated the ADA by failing to make its website accessible to blind users (incompatible with screen readers).
Winn-Dixie was ordered to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees (estimated at $250,000+) and remediate their website.
United States v. Carnival Corporation (2020)
A cruise line’s website and apps blocked wheelchair users from booking cabins.
Carnival was ordered to pay a $55,000 Department of Justice fine + $400,000 victim compensation.
Spanish National Federation v. Bankia (2020 Spain)
Bankia sued for its website failing to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, thereby excluding disabled users.
Bankia fined €50,000.00.
Martinez v. Cot’n Wash, Inc. (2023)
Matinez sued under the Unruh Act which provides statutory damages for ADA violations ($4,000 per offense), even without intent.
The case settled for $75,000 in damages + attorney fees.
Privacy Policy
Disclosure & Consent
Privacy Policy
Disclosure & Consent
CNIL v. Google LLC (2019 France)
Google found to violate by France’s data protection authority (CNIL) for violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) due to:
Lack of Transparency – Google’s privacy policy failed to clearly explain data collection purposes.
Invalid Consent – Users were forced to accept data processing for ads without a genuine choice (no "unbundled" consent).
No Easy Opt-Out – Critical privacy settings were buried, making it hard for users to refuse tracking.
Google was fined €50,000,000.00.
FTC v. Zoom (2023)
Zoom was sued by the FTC for Privacy Policy violations:
Misleading Privacy Claims – Promising "end-to-end encryption" when it wasn’t fully applied.
Data Sharing – Disclosing user data to third parties (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn) without proper notice in its Privacy Policy.
Zoom settled the case for $85,000,000.00
Privacy Policy Violations
Small Businesses
Privacy Policy Violations
Small Businesses
FTC v. RetroFitness (2023)
RetroFitness, a small gym chain operated a mobile app that allowed collection data from children, despite claiming in its privacy policy it complied with applicable law.
Simply having a privacy policy isn’t enough—it must accurately reflect practices.
Retrofitness was fined $100,000.00 and it was mandated that it have third-party privacy audits for 10 years.
Bundesbeauftragter für den Datenschutz (BfDI) v. A Small German Medical Practice (2022)
A solo medical practitioner in Germany was sued after investigators found:
The clinic’s privacy policy failed to specify how long patient records were stored.
Patient files were not treated as described in the Privacy Policy.
Businesses must align their actual practices with policy promises.
The doctor was fined €10,000.00.
User Posted Content
Violations
User Posted Content
Violations
CNIL v. Dailymotion (2021,France)
The video-sharing platform Dailymotion investigated for:
No clear policy on reporting illegal content (e.g., hate speech, copyrighted material).
Failing to promptly remove flagged content, exposing users to harmful material.
Under the EU’s DSA, all platforms must publish transparent content moderation policies and act on reports swiftly.
Dailymotion was fined fined €50,000.00.
Austrian DPA v. Local News Forum (2022)
A small Austrian news forum was found to have violated the GDPR by allowing harmful user generated content.
Hosting unchecked racist/hate comments with no published moderation policy.
Ignoring user reports due to lack of formal procedures.
The forum owner was fined €8,000.00.
Legal Pages &
Policies
Legal Pages &
Policies
Every ESTAGE HUB needs:
Privacy Policies (U.S. and International)
Terms of Use
Disclaimers
User Content Policies (Govern third-party c
Refund Policy (U.S. and International)
User Contact Policies
Cookie Policy
DMCA Policy
Accessibility Statement
Community Guidelines
Some ESTAGE HUBs need:
Shipping Policies
Affiliate Agreement & Affiliate Registration Forms (for those who have Affiliates)
We provide all of these Legal Pages and provide automatic updates.
Contracts & Agreements
Contracts & Agreements
Contracts delineate the rights and responsibilities of the parties in a business situation. Without contracts, misunderstandings and disagreements often occur. This can lead to delays in projects, lawsuits, bad publicity and other adverse consequences that cost you money.
Contracts that many ESTAGE business need:
Website Development Contract
Content Creation Contract - Video / Photo / Graphics / Text for the Seller of Content
Photoshoot / Video Shoot Contract
Model Release
Content Creation Contract - Video / Photo / Graphics / Text for the Buyer of Content
Coaching Agreement
Affiliate Agreement / Registration Application
Independent Contractor / Freelancer Contract
Intellectual Property Licensing Agreement
Non-disclosure Agreement
Non-Compete Agreement
We provide all these Contracts and Agreements individually or in a bundle.
Cookie & Legal Consents
Cookie & Legal Consents
Laws around the world require consent to collect and use personal information such as "cookies".
Additionally, Courts have held that Legal Pages
Our Cookie/Legal Consent modal does all of of the above.
Handicap (ADA) Accessibility
Handicap (ADA) Accessibility
Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and laws in many other countries REQUIRED BY LAW that you make ALL websites handicap accessible.
Thousands of private and Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuits are filed each year.
A vastly larger number of cases are settled without going to court after a demand letter has been received by the business.
In these cases, the companies have had to:
Pay their own lawyer.
Pay the opposing lawyer.
Pay fines.
Pay damages.
Waste valuable time.
Suffered adverse publicity.
Make remediation to their website to prevent from being sued again.
We provide all these Contracts and Agreements individually or in a bundle.
Marketing Compliance Training
Marketing Compliance Training
A recent study of 500 digital marketing websites found that 100% had compliance violations.
That's right. Not 90%. Not 99%.
The numbers are staggering:
The FTC is launching over 2000 investigations
They collected
Countless more dollars are lost to private lawsuits, legal defense fees, and failed businesses...
The FTC is not the only player in the game, there are countless other Federal agency and State law enforcement actions...
Assets freezes can happen without warning...
Compliant Lead Collection Form
Compliant Lead Collection Form
Compliant lead collection is crucial under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to avoid significant fines and reputational damage.
The following requirements must be met:
Obtain prior express written consent for automated calls and texts
Provide clear disclosure of the purpose and terms of the communication
Honor opt-out requests
Obtain explicit consent for data collection and processing
Provide clear information about data usage and storage
Respect data subject rights, including opt-out and erasure requests
Avoid significant fines with our solution: TCPA up to $1,500 per violation and the GDPR up to 4% of global revenue.
GeoBlocking Your Website or Pages
GeoBlocking Your Website or Pages
Geoblocking, also known as geo-fencing, is used to restrict access to a website or specific pages based on a user's geographical location. The primary purpose of geoblocking is to comply with laws, regulations, and licensing agreements that vary across different countries or regions.
By blocking access to certain content or services, website owners can avoid potential legal and financial risks associated with non-compliance.
Geoblocking is also used to comply with data protection, privacy regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, and consumer protection laws / refund policy laws.
By geoblocking specific pages or content, website owners can ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, reducing the risk of fines, lawsuits and reputational damage.
Our Geoblocking Solutions allow you to block vistors from Countries / States that have problematic laws.
Sample Footer for Website & Community
Sample Footer for Website & Community
Footer disclosures are a crucial element of marketing compliance, providing transparency and clarity to consumers about a company's practices and policies.
Footer disclosures, inform users about important details such as terms and conditions, privacy policies, and disclaimers.
Key footer disclosures include:
links to legal pages
earnings disclaimers, and
copyright notices.
By including these essential disclosures, businesses can protecting themselves from potential fines and reputational damage.
Effective footer disclosures also help to build trust with customers, reduce the risk of regulatory scrutiny, and minimize potential liabilities.
We provide an ESTAGE share code for an effective HUB footer and language to insert in your ESTAGE Community footer.
The Vital Bundle
Navigating online legal compliance is a complex and ever-evolving challenge, with businesses required to meet various regulations concerning data protection, consumer rights, liability, and transparency in jurisdictions across the globe.
Failing to comply can result in hefty fines, legal disputes, and reputational damage. Our all-in-one Vital Bundle protects your business by covering fundamental and vital aspects.
The Vital Bundle includes:
Legal Pages & Policies with Automatic Updates
Privacy Policies (U.S. and International)
Terms of Use
Disclaimers
User Content Policies (re: third-parties content on your HUB)
Refund Policy (U.S. and International)
User Contact Policies
Cookie Policy (U.S. and International)
DMCA Policy
Accessibility Statement
Community Guidelines
Shipping Policies (U.S. and International)
Affiliate Agreement & Affiliate Registration Form (automatic update)
Cookie / Legal Consent Modal (free and affiliate link versions)
Handicap Accessibility (affiliate link)
Compliant Lead Generation Form (ESTAGE share code)
GeoBlocking Sites and Pages (free and affiliate link versions)
Sample Footer with Disclaimer for both HUB and Community Pages
(ESTAGE share code)
For additional sites after the first purchase are:
$97 One-Time Fee
$24/month ongoing license / updates
The Contract
Bundle
Contracts protect you in from disputes and lawsuits. Failing to use a contract can result in hefty judgements, unnecessary legal fees, and reputational damage. Our all-in-one
Website Development Contract (ESTAGE Specific)
Content Creation Contract - Video / Photo / Graphics / Text for the Seller of Content
Photoshoot / Video Shoot Contract
Model Release
Content Creation Contract - Video / Photo / Graphics / Text for the Buyer of Content
Coaching Agreement
Affiliate Agreement / Registration Application (ESTAGE Specific)
Freelancer Services Agreement as an Independent Contractor
Intellectual Property Licensing Agreement
Non-disclosure Agreement
Non-Compete Agreement
Software Licensing Agreement
The laws regarding these Contracts and Agreements do not change as frequently as laws related to the online marketing issues found in the Vital Bundle. Some of these Contracts and Agreements will likely rarely, if ever, change. Therefore we do not charge an ongoing maintenance fee for Contracts and Agreements. We offer:
Free upgrades for 2 years, and
After 2 years, a 50% discount on the new version.
Products are also Available Individually
Marketing
Compliance
Training
A recent study of 500 digital marketing websites found that 100% had compliance violations. That's right. Not 90%. Not 99%.
The numbers are staggering:
The FTC is launching over 2000 investigations
They collected $1.5
Countless more dollars are lost to lawsuits, legal defense fees, state law enforcement actions and failed businesses
Assets freezes can happen without warning...
An overview of compliance requirements can be obtained as either a paperback or e-book for
In addition to the overview book, there are various video courses you can take. For anyone serious about marketing online and avoiding trouble, the comprehensive
The book and courses are from an
Marketing
Compliance
Software
A recent study of 500 digital marketing websites found that 100% had compliance violations. That's right. Not 90%. Not 99%.
The numbers are staggering:
The FTC is launching over 2000 investigations
They collected $1.5
Countless more dollars are lost to lawsuits, legal defense fees, state law enforcement actions and failed businesses
Assets freezes can happen without warning...
The software is from an
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
EstageCompliance.com is a specialized website offering compliance solutions, contract templates and legal tech tools tailored for startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. We streamline compliance processes to save time and reduce costs.
Compliance Media LLC, the owner of www.estagecompliance.com, is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Compliance Media LLC provides educational and business solutions for online companies and individuals.
No. EstageCompliance.com is not part of ESTAGE LLC.
The products of the EstageCompliance.com website are designed for ESTAGE SaaS users.
However, EstageCompliance.com is owned by Compliance Media, LLC who is NOT otherwise affiliated with ESTAGE LLC.
Compliance Media LLC is SOLELY responsible for products and recommendations on the EstageCompliance.com website.
Key services include:
Comprehensive Legal Page Templates with Automatic Updates (for GDPR/CCPA and other legal compliance for digital businesses).
Contract Templates (Webdesign, Content Services, NDAs, etc.).
Cookie / Legal Consent Modal.
Regulatory information for ESTAGE SaaS users and for e-commerce activities.
Yes. We provide:
GDPR & CCPA Compliant Privacy Policy, Refund Policies and Legal Policies, and
Cookie / Legal Consent Banner Integration (ePrivacy Directive).
Yes. the documents are binding on parties involved. All templates are drafted by individuals with law degrees and updated for current laws.
The documents are general in nature and cover most business situations. Attempts have been made to comply with major laws worldwide (U.S., EU, Uk, etc.).
However, the documents may not cover every situation, and every law, in every country, worldwide.
For assurance the documents are adequate for your situation and your jurisdiction(s), we recommend consulting a local lawyer with your questions or for complex cases.
Pricing is extremely affordable. Hiring an attorney to create these documents would easily cost over $10,000. They are available to you for pennies on the dollar.
Some Products are subscription-based and other products are pay-per-document.
Visit each
Discount bundles are available for various groups of products. See Product Bundles here.
We offer a 14-Day "No Questions Asked" refund on our products.
We do not control the refund policy of third-party providers.
We will comply with the Refund Policy law of all jurisdictions in which a customer resides.
For details, see our Refund Policy page.