Juror Caught Adding Defendant as a Facebook Friend

Social media can get you in trouble in a number of ways. Jurors are instructed in Texas that they should not use Facebook and Twitter during trials. One juror wasn't listening. See Juror Caught Adding Defendant as a Facebook Friend.

The E-Shopping Fun Factor

How will the "entertainment factor" affect the e-commerce marketplace? Shoppers who ignore traditional advertising may be drawn in by infotainment like live shows that interact with customers or show that "entertain and inform, and also to create a sense of loyalty and excitement among consumers." Shoppers may share their experience to other online users by "word of mouse." See The E-Shopping Fun Factor.

The Rise of We-Commerce

We-Commerce is the marriage of shopping and social networking. Sites like ShopSocially and Kaboodle let shoppers create profiles and tell their friends about recent purchases. These sites become "consumer-to-consumer" marketing sites. See The Rise of We-Commerce.

Summer Break

E-Commerce Update is on summer break. See you in August!

Ethical Quandary for Social Sites

Social media sites like Flickr, YouTube, and Facebook are being used by political activists as a way to share information. How can those site stay neutral in political disputes and still maintain their policies? See Ethical Quandary for Social Sites.

When the Marketing Reach of Social Media Backfires

Social media creates new risks for business. A fustrated employee or celebrity spokesmen can send out a tweet that spreads quickly and embarasses the employer. The "amplified affect" of social media can spread such messages quickly as they are retweeted. See When the Marketing Reach of Social Media Backfires.

Amazon Pressured on Sales Tax

It should come as no surprise that a states facing huge budget deficits are trying to squeeze money out of Amazon by forcing them to collect state sales taxes. Amazon refuses to collect those taxes in states where they don't have a nexus, such as offices or another physical presence. Some states argue that Amazon's relationship with affiliates in those states is enough to compel them to collect taxes. See Amazon Pressured on Sales Tax.