EBUS - Ethical, Legal & Regulatory Issues

IntroductionThe ability to conduct business through the internet has enabled companies to position themselves more easily for profitability whether it be business liaisons with suppliers or those involved in the supply chain, or channeling out to perspective buyers, consumer or businesses. While these channels extend like spider webs, it is vital for the company to maintain focus in regards to their ethical responsibility, legal rights and restrictions in addition to any regulatory concerns that they company may encounter. A business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sites have similar concerns such as intellectual property, copyrights, online privacy, fraud and advertising techniques, in which there are variations based on the relationship of the business. Business-to-consumer will be a bit more detailed to ensure the safety of the customer as well as protection for the company, where as a business-to-business can make certain assumptions in which liability is based on the company purchasing the products.

Mean Business

Miss Show Business

Privacy for Business

Ethical IssuesEthics defined by the Merriam-Webster website is, "a set of moral issues or aspects (as rightness)" (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, para. 3, 2007). Every company and individual has their own personal definition of ethics and it is essential for a company to (1) define their company code of ethics to their employees and (2) conduct business very cautiously without intentionally imposing unethical behavior. Companies that are in a part of a business-to-consumer relationship are forced to be more aware of these concerns. Areas in which both relationships may place more focus on perception of unethical intent would be around marketing. Areas that may fall under ethical issues include privacy rights, child protection, security including identity theft and internet fraud, copyright infringement and business practices.

Intellectual PropertyIntellectual property (IP) laws are created to protect the creative ideas of companies. IP is "any intangible asset that consists of human knowledge...