kazaa
...e companies are building are earning money off the music industry. There is no retribution to the creators, songwriters, artists or back up musicians. These companies do not invest in the marketing and promotion of the music and they take no risks in supporting new and developing artists. They appear to be in their own world relying (not collaborating) on the music industry. While networks such as Kazaa have flourished on the backs of musicians, the recording industry has seen dramatic declines in its sales. This leads to the final principle of ethics, liability. This is the reason why several hundred lawsuits have been filed against specific individuals among the millions who have engaged in the copyright infringement. Someone needs to be liable for obtaining music free, while simultaneously draining the music industry. However, I must disagree with the actions of the music industry in suing individuals. The industry should continue the fight with the bigger parties. This would bring companies in front of the courts that can make the best example of the issues of copyright infringement and attract the attention of the general public. Individual defendants will most likely settle quickly and not continue litigation. 2. Ariba is a company that provides Enterprise Spend Management (ESM) solutions in the B2B market place. These are products and solutions that enable businesses to enable procurement and supply management. The company originally developed applications to automate the procurement process and thus created the “Ariba Supplier Network.” A main strategy used by Ariba since 1998, was to acquire companies that allowed it to enter and develop in the net marketplace software market while maintain the licensing of its original platform. In effect, Ariba has created a vast network of business marketplaces. These deep routed connections to main business partners have essentially integrated Ariba within the heart a company’s procurement process. If a company wishes to sever ties after these connections are made, it is very difficult and damaging to business operations. This provides a competitve advantage for Ariba. Ariba has key partnerships with IBM and i2 Technologies. This partnership has allowed to offer supply chain planning software to the market and open up broad, global sales channels. Currently, the stock price is at $5.57 and has been declining over the past year by more than 50%. The outlook seems bleak at the moment. While they are developing new solutions and obtaining more companies, investors appear to be less than enthusiastic with the number of sales the company has completed to date and the recent settled lawsuit with ePlus. However, Ariba continues to be make deals with a variety of major companies. It appears that the company seems to hit a speed bump, but will ultimately survive. 3. It would make sense to use an auction site such as eBay to sell the uniforms. Especially if the thought and costs of a brick and mortar store for selling uniforms is too daunting. This venue allows businesses to sell to a large audience throughout the world. The type of sale to be used would be a fixed price sale. It would not be beneficial to the company to sell uniforms to the highest bidders, but rather sell to the most people/schools at the best price. Prices would be determined based on competitor prices, especially on eBay, production costs per uniform and profit margin desired. 4. There are many issues with illegal music downloads. One issue is that the RIAA has noted the the revenue loss in the music industry. In theory, if a person is able to download his or her favorite music off the Internet, that person would not need to purchase the CD at a local music store. Every story you read will most likely produce a different set of numbers the music industr...