Bellevue University

EBUS 460

Legal and Ethical Issues in E-Business

 

 

Prerequisite:  Acceptance in the EBUS accelerated degree completion program.

 

Credit:  3 Credit Hours

 

Course Description: This course covers the legal and policy environment of E-Business.  Topics include: domain name registration, proposals and bids, the use of cookies, licenses, financial services, taxation, antitrust, limitations of the exclusive rights, criminal law, and international protection. Students will also review copyright and trademark law and Internet privacy.

 

Mission: The student in the accelerated E-Business major will receive:

 

1.       A theoretical understanding of E-Business and E-Commerce.

2.       An online classroom laboratory in which to apply and practice E-Business skills and tactics.

3.       Exposure to the common body of knowledge of E-Business and E-Commerce.

4.       An opportunity to develop an understanding of E-Business which integrates textbook theory, work experience, online experience and the input of their own experiences and those of other students.  

5.       An opportunity to develop and manage a working E-Business Internet site.

 

Purpose:

 

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1.       Explain the legal and ethical issues of the Internet.

2.       Demonstrate to students the need for understanding the basics of

      business law.

3.       Articulate the language of business law.

4.       Explain Internet and business ethics.

5.       Demonstrate the use of basic documents used in doing business on the Internet.

 

Course Outline:

I.              General Business Law

A.     Copyright Law

B.     Patent, Trademark and Trade Secret Law

C.     Contracts Law

D.     Privacy

E.      Contractors and Consultants

 

II.           The business of creating websites.

A.     Web Development Agreements

B.     Using Pre-existing Works.

C.     Clearing rights and obtaining licenses.

D.     Licensing content and ownership

E.      Web product distribution agreements

 

III.         Web marketing legal issues

A.      Business Models for the Internet

B.     Domain names and ownership

C.     E-commerce laws

D.     Using Music on the web

E.      Digital signatures

F.      Taxes

 

IV.        More cyberlaw

A.      Service Provider Liability

B.      Intellectual Property rights

 

V.           Legal aspects of business planning

A.      Strategic Planning

B.      Writing a dotcom business plan

C.      Preparing to meet investors

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work:  Students are expected to attend all classes and to participate actively in class discussions. Students are required to complete all reading assignments, written assignments, and group project assignments per the following criteria.

I. Prepare and participate in all course discussions.

II. Respond to, clarify, challenge, and expand upon, etc. assignment postings and/or comments from at least two other students each week throughout the course.

III. Log in at least three times per week to review course postings.

IV. All assignments will be posted by no later than midnight on the prescribed date located in the Assignments section corresponding with each week of the course.

V. Weekly discussions end at midnight on Sunday of each week unless otherwise stated by the instructor.

 

Students will be given exercises and questions from the textbook to ensure the comprehension and understanding of the theories and knowledge from the textbook.  Students will be given tasks to complete in a collaborative setting with an assigned group. These assignments will equal 35% of the student's grade.

 

Students will be assigned individual written work throughout this course. These responses are to reflect the students' understanding of the course material. They should demonstrate the student's ability to express their ideas clearly and in a concise manner. Correct grammar, spelling and format are expected. Students should be able to answer questions from the professor and their peers about their presentations. The collective grades for this work will equal 50% of the student's grade.

 

Course/Program Assessment:  In accordance with the stated objectives, assessment will occur at the self, peer and instructor levels. Students will be assessed by the completion of individual and group written assignments, threaded online discussions, and a web site project.

 

 

 

 

Signatures:

 

 

______________________________________________________________________

Originator                                                                                           Date

 

 

______________________________________________________________________

Program Director                                                                                  Date

 

 

______________________________________________________________________

Academic Review Committee                                                                  Date

 

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

Chair, APC                  Date

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________________

Dean, College of Professional Studies                                                            Date

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________

Provost                                                                                               Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

 

Required Texts and/or Materials:

Brinson, J. D.; (2000), Internet Law and Business Handbook: A Practical Guide, Ladera Press.

 

 

Bibliography: