52. Business Law- Intellectual Property and Technology
Note: The online classroom is designed to time students out after 90 minutes of inactivity. Because of this, we strongly suggest that you compose your work in a word processing program and copy and paste it into the discussion post when you are ready to submit it.
Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
Describe legal concerns regarding intellectual property
Explain legal concerns raised by technology and the internet
Describe issues faced by businesses in the global marketplace
Introduction
The final week is focused on the future of business law including international law, environmental law, and the internet. By the end of this week students should be able to describe the importance of intellectual property law, explain legal concerns raised by technology and the internet, and describe issues faced by businesses in the global marketplace. Students will apply class concepts to life experiences in the Final Paper assignment.
Required Resources
Required Text
Essentials of Business Law:
Chapter 14: Cyberlaw
Chapter 15: International and Environmental Law
Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Intellectual Property and Technology
Internet domain names are linked to trademark issues. Technology makes it easy to copy and distribute music and movies without paying royalties. Business conducted on the internet raise security and privacy issues. What legal concerns are raised by these issues? Predict which of these issues will be of major concern in the future in regard to the law and business practices.
Guided Response: Review your peer’s posts. Respond to at least two of your classmates describing whether you agree with their predictions or if you see the issues differently. Explain.
The Global Marketplace
How do governments attempt to control foreign businesses operating within their borders? When U.S. companies do business in other countries, what issues do they face? Describe the responsibilities and ethical concerns that you feel are important for U.S. companies to consider when doing business in other countries
Guided Response: Review your peer’s posts. Respond to at least two of your classmates explaining whether you agree or disagree with their position. Challenge your classmates by asking a question that may cause them to reevaluate their position.
Final Paper
To complete the following final paper, go to this week’s Final Paper link in the left navigation.
Focus of the Final Paper
The Final Research Paper should address a topic that is connected to the content of this course (elements and requirements of a valid contract; issues related to real and personal property; intellectual property; employment law; and/or, international law and the global marketplace.) This paper should focus on a legal issue or situation that relates to a business environment or activity with a focus on the legal impact technology has on this issue. Ideally, this topic would concern a matter that you have experienced or that you have knowledge of; however, this not a requirement, only a suggestion. Apply the legal concepts and ethical considerations discussed in this course to your chosen topic. At a minimum this paper should include:
A detailed description of the topic.
An analytical discussion of the legal issues that are involved. This would entail examining the issue from different viewpoints.
A discussion of ethical considerations (Remember: What is legal may not be ethical).
A discussion of the legal impact technology has on this issue.
A well defined and logically stated argument to support your position. This would include any suggestion or ideas for improvement in this area of law.
Four research sources, two of which must be from the Ashford Library.
The paper also needs to meet the writing requirements that are set out below under “Writing the Final Research Paper."
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
a. Title of paper
b. Student’s name
c. Course name and number
d. Instructor’s name
e. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. That is, what is your response to the content, either positive or negative, and then defend your position. If multiple options/alternatives/positions are present and are being rejected you must also defend the reasons for rejecting an option
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.