This document provides an introduction to business law 110-4207 presented by Susan King, Kelly Hiltbruner, and Shelby Simon. It discusses the US judicial system including criminal and civil law. Examples of criminal and civil cases are given. The presentation then focuses on business law and how the judicial system oversees business activities. Key business law concepts like statutory law, common law, administrative agencies, torts, patents, trademarks, copyright, sales law, contracts, antitrust law, consumer protection, and bankruptcy are defined. The importance of understanding legal issues in business is emphasized.

1. Introduction to Business 110-4207
Presentation provided by:
Susan King
Kelly Hiltbruner
Shelby Simon

2. Under the Judicial System, two types of courts try various
cases
1. Criminal Law 2. Civil Law
Murder Breach of Contract
Robbery Malpractice
Arson Divorce
Vehicular manslaughter Wrongful Death
Cookin’ the books- embezzlement Disputes over property
Drug Smuggling Child Custody
Sexual Assault Eviction

3.  “Quick Gun Murugan”- Bank robbery and
murder!
Tried in a criminal court of law-
sentenced to
101 years in penitentiary

4. Tried in a civil court--1961
Tried in a civil court- yesterday
Carrying a concealed weapon
No Name – I’m a wasted Charges dropped
Convicted of DUI
Will go to county jail or prison
Tried in a civil court-- 1938
Accused of adultery
Spent 16 hours in jail, charges later dismissed

5. In our class, we are concerned with
Business Law
The Judicial System oversees and
governs the activities and
operations of business.

6.  In the business world, Business Law refers to rules, statutes, codes
and regulations for the conduct of business. These laws are
enforceable by the court system.
 Statutory Law is written law. Most people hire a lawyer to interpret
these laws as they are very difficult for the average person to
understand
 Common Law are decisions that have already been set by
previous court cases. The judge uses these precedents to make
new rulings
.

7. Administrative Agencies- oversee business
Agencies such as;
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In December 2001, a Federal Express courier
named Patricia Kennedy filed an EEOC intake
questionnaire claiming that FedEx was in the
habit of improperly firing older employees who
did not meet the company's hourly delivery
quotas.

8.  This is a wrongful act that causes harm to a
persons body, their property, or reputation.
A Tort may be intentional, e.g.
 Did the manufacturers of VIOXX and BEXTRA medications
intentionally withhold information that caused harm to people?
 A Tort may also be unintentional, and also negligent

9.  McDonald's coffee case and the hot coffee lawsuit, is a 1994
product liability lawsuit - TORT – They McDonalds was found to be
NEGLIGENT
 A jury awarded $160,000 to cover medical expenses and
compensatory damages
The final settlement was actully $640,000
Classic E. coli food poisoning

10.  When a product is inadequate or defective,
as in the McDonalds coffee cup case,
or Jack in the box food products
the company selling the product and the manufacturer
may get sued.
 Today, Strict product liability is put on manufacturers
even if they did not know their product was defective, they
can still be sued and are still liable to pay damages.

11.  A patent is the legal document
that states you are the inventor
of a product and have exclusive rights,
for 20 years from the date you filed
a patent application
 You have the right to sue if someone steals your
invention, as long as you got the patent!

12.  A trademark is a legally protected name, symbol, or
design. These companies have a legally protected name,
legally protected symbol and legally protected design.
Trademarks must be renewed every 10 years, and belong
to the owner forever.

13.  A Copyright is the legal protection of a creator’s rights to
materials like books, music and cartoons. Filed with the Library
of Congress, they last for the lifetime of the creator plus 70
years, and can be passed on to heirs. It is illegal to copy,
record, or download copyrighted material without
paying for it, as the creator’s do not get paid.

14. SALES LAW is UCC
UCC has 11 laws, we will cover two laws
Article 2- regulation of Warranties
And
Article 3- Negotiable Instruments
.
1. Warranties: A & B
1a. Express warranty
told to the consumer in
writing;
iPhone and iPod: Liquid
damage is not covered
by warranty

15. Warranties Contd.
1b. Implied warranty
Items that are of
“Fitness for a particular purpose”
E.G. a toaster should toast your bread

16.  Negotiable Instruments- Article 3 of UCC
 Checks, transferrable among individuals
and businesses
 A promise to pay a specific amount

17.  Contract law IS
 legally enforceable
 Between two or more parties
 Consideration =
Must be something of value

18.  If you Breach (or break) that contract for the car;
 You may be sued for specific performance
 AND you may be in for a surprise visit from
“Operation Repo”

19.  You may also be sued for Damages

20.  What is Antitrust Legislation?
 What are consumer protection laws?

21.  The government raises money from it’s citizens by charging
tax on property, vehicles, sales tax on good we buy, and
income tax on our paychecks.
 With the money raised, the government builds roads,
bridges, schools, parks, and provides a military to protect
it’s people.
 The government also encourages businesses to hire/
purchase new equipment and relocate to specific areas by
offering tax incentives. Which they hope in turn will create
employment

22.  Voluntary bankruptcy-
 You voluntarily apply because you know there is no
way you can pay back the amount of money you have
borrowed
 Involuntary bankruptcy-
 As the debtor, your creditors start to take legal action
because you have not paid your bills

23.  Chapter 7, usually filed by private individuals
 Chapter 11, usually by businesses who try to
reorganize and work off their debt
 Chapter 13, individuals and small business owners
who pay their debt back over three to five years

24.  What are Government Regulations?
 What is deregulation, why does the
Government deregulate, and how
does this encourage competition?

25.  At all phases in your professional career, you
will be faced with issues regarding what you
can and cannot do legally
 It is vital to understand legal issues within the
business environment.
 Once you understand legal issues within the
business environment, you will know how to
avoid causing harm to your company, your co-
workers, your managers and ultimately
yourself.