Protecting Intellectual Property

75-150 words each discussion question

1. Intellectual Property is the life blood of many corporations and organizations. Without the protections afforded by the U.S. legal systems, organizations may never invest in research and development. Currently, patents provide inventors up to 20 years of protection and copyrights can vary in year of protection, but is most commonly protected for the life of the creator plus 70 years or more. However, many other countries do not provide a similar level of protection afforded to intellectual property and in fact may not enforce protections at all.

Discuss what you believe is the best way for an organization to protect its intellectual property in a global economy.

2. Unfortunately, employment discrimination can still be found in all industries across the country. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 defined protected classes of people aiming to reduce discrimination by holding employer’s responsible. Under Title VII of the Act, an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin is considered a protected class. Age and pregnancy have also been federally recognized protected classes by subsequent legislation.

discrimination in the workplace

Discuss if you believe these protected classes go far enough to prevent discrimination in the workplace. Would you add any additional classes of people, if so who and why? Lastly, have you ever experienced any form of discrimination in your employment? If so, how did you resolve the situation?

3. Eminent domain is a hotly contested topic in the United States. Typically, opponents see it as an unjust taking by the government, and supporters state it is needed to serve the public interest. This week, research a recent example of Eminent Domain cases or issues, and discuss the merits and implications.

Additionally, border walls and the construction of such walls is a highly polarized issue right now. Regardless of its merit, the topic does bring up an interesting legal question when using eminent domain. Discuss if you believe, based on the law, using eminent domain is allowable for the construction of border walls.

the rights and duties of landlords and tenants

Lastly, have you or anyone in your family ever experienced an eminent domain taking at the local, state or federal level? If so, what was the outcome?

4.This week’s material discusses some of the rights and duties of landlords and tenants.

• Do you think the law does enough to protect tenants from landlords? What about protecting landlord from tenants?
• What laws are there protecting tenants (or landlords) in your state?

5. Every organization is formed into an entity of some sort, and is usually done to protect individuals from liabilities connected with business operations. If you were starting your own business, which entity formation would you use–sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation? Why? Which entity formation would you never use? Why?

6. Contracts are the backbone of every business. Most are in writing but even those that are oral are just as important. Contracts are the tools that enforce promises between all parties included. However, there are formal requirements that must be fulfilled for a contract to be considered enforceable. Typically an offer, acceptance, consideration, legality and capacity are required. Do you believe contracts should require fewer formalities to be enforceable? Lastly, have you ever experienced a breach of a contract? How did you handle the consequences from the breach?