Riordan E-Business

The virtual organization that I have chosen to write this paper on is Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. E-business (electronic business), derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-commerce," is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners (CIO Definitions, 2001). For this paper I will analyze the legal issues Riordan Manufacturing may face when conducting e-business and discuss possible solutions. I will identify issues that may arise in Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. international business and determine the conflicts of law which pertain to those issues. I will discuss which laws apply to the situations, and which court will decide the issues.

Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. is wholly owned by Riordan Industries, a Fortune 1000 enterprise with revenues in excess of $1 billion. Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. is an industry leader in the field of plastic injection molding. Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. has facilities in San Jose, California, Albany, Georgia, Pontiac, Michigan, and Hangzhou China (University of Phoenix, 2006).

Today e-business has emerged as a mainstream way to facilitate business transactions around the world. The issues that Riordan Manufacturing, Inc may encounter while conducting business through e-commerce will be international laws such as related jurisdiction issues, contract law, and settlement disputes. The legal issue that I will use in e-commerce is that a third of small- and mid-sized businesses have suffered at least some disruption due to security (PC World, 2007).

One issue that Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. may be faced with is infrastructure security. Information about the company's customers, suppliers and employees are subject to theft, which can lead to claims of invasion of privacy and other legal liabilities. To help solve this issue they can open a department dedicated to the security of the network and electronic communications or contract with a third party company who specializes in infrastructure security.

The Chief Legal Counsel (C.L.C.) at Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. is Lowell Bradford; they also have a contract with attorneys from Litteral & Finkel to help consult with their legal matters. Litteral & Finkel is an international firm that practices in all areas of the law and has offices around the world. A law firm familiar with key issues in e-business, contracting with Litteral & Finkel is valuable in protecting Riordan’s future.

The issues that may arise pertaining Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. is tax laws, labor laws, employment laws, workers compensation, and union laws. Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. can pursue these issues through the United States federal courts, but trying to recover the damages in the federal court dealing with laws from other countries is not likely to be resolved. Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. can go to the International Court of Justice (I.C.J) with their legal matter and have it resolved. The International Court of Justice acts as a world