Legal Question in Business Law in New Jersey

Is it lawful to offer an editing service to undergraduate students with which students can pay to have their papers proofread and corrected for errors like grammar, punctuation, and word usage? I am looking to start up a business that offers this service, and I plan to advertise on the university's campus.

Thank you very much!

Andrew


Asked on 1/12/10, 8:50 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Randall Brett Law Office of Randall P. Brett

As you describe your service, there is nothing illegal. However, students may find that their professors object to the use of an outside service for correcting grammer, spelling and punctuation mistakes rather than doing these tasks on their own. You might want to validate your business plan by talking to faculty at a few schools.

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Answered on 1/18/10, 5:24 am

I agree with Mr. Brett, but I also question the viability of such a service, as computer programs can check grammar and spelling. Why would someone to to a service like yours, unless there is some other benefit? I suspect any teacher would object assuming the answer to the above is at the very least "coaching". I think if you are actually good at editing, that you'd make MUCH more money marketing your services to businesses, websites, foreign companies (how many times have you read instructions from some Asian manufacturer that makes no sense and/or makes you laugh til your bladder control is in question! If I am not mistaken, I've seen things like that on Leno! Believe it or not, I know for a fact, that there is a woman editing technical manuals that makes a BUNDLE, a LOT more than I do as an attorney each year!

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Answered on 1/18/10, 9:12 am


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