Blog Business Legal: What Every Indian Blogger Should Know

Starting a blog feels exciting, but the legal side can quickly become a headache if you ignore it. Whether you’re planning to flip domains, earn money with ads, or sell digital products, a few simple legal moves can keep you safe and focused on creating content.

Domain Flipping and Ownership Rules

Buying a .in domain and reselling it sounds like a quick cash trick, but Indian cyber law has clear limits. You can register a domain only if it matches a legitimate brand or personal name – using someone else’s trademark is a violation. Before you list a domain for sale, run a trademark check on the official Indian Trademark Office site. If the name is already taken, you could face a legal notice and possible fines.

Another pitfall is “cybersquatting,” where you register a popular brand’s name hoping to sell it later. Indian law treats that as bad faith and can lead to forced transfer of the domain. The safest route is to focus on generic, descriptive names that aren’t tied to existing brands.

Monetizing Your Blog: Taxes and Disclosures

Once your blog starts pulling in ad revenue or affiliate commissions, the Income Tax Act kicks in. Any earnings above Rs 10,000 in a financial year must be reported as “income from business or profession.” Keep a spreadsheet of all payments – Google AdSense, affiliate payouts, sponsorship fees – and the dates you received them. This makes filing your ITR a breeze and protects you from penalty notices.

Don’t forget to add a clear disclosure whenever you promote a product or service. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) recommends a simple statement like, “This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.” A small disclaimer not only builds trust but also keeps you on the right side of advertising regulations.

If you sell digital goods like e‑books or online courses, you also need to consider GST. Small sellers with turnover under Rs 40 lakhs are exempt, but once you cross that threshold, you must register for GST and charge 18% on digital services. Many bloggers register voluntarily to appear more professional – it’s a good habit if you expect growth.

Copyright is another area where newbies slip up. Use only images you have rights to – either royalty‑free libraries, your own photos, or content you’ve purchased a license for. Adding a tiny credit line at the bottom of each image is enough to show you respect the creator’s rights.

Lastly, think about your blog’s terms and privacy policy. If you collect email addresses for a newsletter, the Indian IT Act requires you to inform users how you’ll use their data. A short privacy page that mentions data storage, third‑party services (like Mailchimp), and an opt‑out option satisfies the legal requirement and reassures readers.

By handling domains, taxes, disclosures, and data privacy properly, you avoid nasty surprises and keep your focus on publishing great content. The legal steps are straightforward – a quick trademark search, a simple spreadsheet, and a few sentences on your site. Take care of the basics now, and you’ll spend less time dealing with legal headaches later.