BUS 201 Journal Topics Assignment

Week

Assignment

1

Biz and Law

As a business owner, it is very important for you to understand business law and the regulations that affect your type of business. How do you think law and business converge?

2

Facebook Ordered to Pay $5 Billion Civil Penalty and Implement Enhanced Consumer Privacy Protections

United States v. Facebook, Inc. [​Docket Number: 1:19-cv-2184 (D.D.C.)] BUS 201 Journal Topics Assignment

On April 23, 2020, Judge Timothy Kelly of the U.S. District Court for D.C. entered a decision against Facebook, Inc. In a July 2019 complaint, the government alleged that Facebook violated a 2012 FTC Order and committed new violations of the FTC Act by misrepresenting to consumers how to protect personal data and how Facebook used such data. The settlement requires Facebook to pay a $5 billion civil penalty and amends the 2012 FTC order by requiring Facebook to implement comprehensive new privacy measures.

Argue as to why Judge Kelly was wrong and why Facebook should not have to pay the penalty for invasion of privacy (a constitutional law violation).

3

Cruise v. Kroger

Read case bits on page 82 of the text, case 3.3, and answer the CRITICAL THINKING inquiry.

4

Business versus Legal Entities

Companies are treated as individuals at times and as entities in others; general partnerships and limited liability corporations are two of the most popular forms.

Argue why those two forms, types of companies should ​or should not be treated as “legal persons”. Be persuasive and convincing in your argument. BUS 201 Journal Topics Assignment

5

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW v. Trump
In 2017, a lawsuit alleging ethical violations committed by

Donald Trump was thrown out. It was then considered for review in 2019 by an appeals court. Review the high level facts and render your own verdict.

Did Trump violate ethical standards while doing civic duties on private platforms like his real estate/properties?

6

Mandatory Insurance

Product liability is a reality, just like general liability, for any business. Some businesses, for example professionals [doctor, attorney, CPA], have regulations that require insurance. Some do not.

Should product liability insurance be mandatory for all businesses whose product(s) affect the public? Does it matter if the product is in a niche market or a general, pop culture market? BUS 201 Journal Topics Assignment

7

Recovering Corporate Professional

Once the matriarch of the ridiculously wealthy Fancyfamily (“Family”) decided to leave her greedy corporate career and build a wellness center for COVID stay-at-home-work-from-home parents, a new business began to form. Family puts out an advertisement to create the center, various companies submit bids but Kashquik Co. (“Kashquik”) wins the bid at $10 million dollars. Family thereafter begin the process of permit applications, and other administrative matters related to construction. Before breaking ground, Kashquik informs Family that they would no longer be able to undertake the wellness center construction project because it had just agreed to build a hotel and casino in Atlantic City. Family had to re-open the bidding process and accept a higher, costlier company to build at $15 million dollars.

Was there a contract? What remedies would Family have? What defenses would Kashquik have?

8

Recovering Corporate Professional​ ​(continued) Consider last week’s Journal topic, what if Kashquik was in the business of manufacturing spa stones for inner peace and Family is in the business of selling those stones to boutique all over the San Juan Islands.

How would the fact that this is a UCC contract issue present

a different analysis from your response last week?

9

The Great Hack

Watch the Great Hack, at least to your best ability, and write an entry into whether or not you agree that what Cambridge did was wrong.

10

John Fogerty vs John Fogerty

Read about Fogerty v. Fantasy, Inc., 510 U.S. 517 (1994).

Did Fogerty commit copyright infringement? Is copyright infringement too retraining on artistic creativity and development?

11

McDonald’s Easterbrook

What happened with McDonald’s in the spring of 2020 with regards to employment discrimination?
When is “discrimination” or ‘harrassment” appropriate? And this is not to do with BFOQs or other “defenses”.