User talk:Thembateam

ASSIGNMENT for Business Environment
As a group you are required to chose and evaluate a large international company in the light of its current business environment.

The factors you should consider, are the social, economic, political, technological and legal factors. Whilst all of these are important- For this assignment you are required to concentrate in particular on the legal environment of the business.

Part a. Please provide an overview of the company’s operations (750 words max)

Part b. Evaluate and comment upon the legal environment(s) of your chosen company

Part c. Comment upon the threats and opportunities future changes to the legal environment(s) may present for your company

The written report should be no more than 3500 words in total

SUBMISSION TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE TUESDAY OF WEEK 11 BY 3PM

Suggested outline for the answer - for discussion
Introduction

General background information about microsoft

Company overview

Social environment document on social responsibility - Bill gates dream to have pc in every home society - need to have the latest and greatest Economic environment Political environment technological environment Legal Environment

1. US AntiTrust case - United States v Microsoft another Ref Real Networks case 2. EU Commission case - news article 31st March on EU case New York Times Article 31st March 3. Asian Case Microsoft in Korea see and 4. Intellectual Property Rights / Piracy links    5. Employment Law / Contracts / Codes of Conduct

Note these for EU case

March 24, 2004: The European Commission fines Microsoft a record $613 million for antitrust violations and orders it to divulge certain protocols to competitors and to produce a version of Windows that does not include the Windows Media Player. This penalty is later suspended while a judge hears Microsoft's appeal.

Dec. 22, 2004: An EU court rejects Microsoft's appeal of the March penalty. The decision effectively thwarts Microsoft's attempt to delay implementation.

Nov. 8, 2004: Novell Inc., which had raised antitrust claims in Europe, settles its civil suit for $536 million.

Threats

Linux - free alternative operating system Popularity of apple - Mac os X   Open Office - free open source office software

Opportunities

Apple using intel chips in MACs. Macs can now use windows OS - Growth in computing in developing countries