ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis is a time tested and data-based strategy for teaching children with disabilities. It is most often used with children with autistic spectrum disorders but is an effective tool for children with behavioral disorders, multiple disabilities, and severe intellectual handicaps. It is the only treatment for Autistic Spectrum disorders approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration.) ABA is based on the work of B.F. Skinner, also known as the father of Behaviorism.   Behaviorism is a scientific means of understanding behavior.   Known as the three-term contingency, behavior is stimulus, response, and reinforcement.   It is also understood as Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence, or ABC.   The ABCs of ABA The antecedent is what happens before the behavior, and may or may not have a causal relationship.  The behavior is what the subject does:   we try to operationalize the behavior, or find a way to objectively describe the behavior.   We would not say Jimmy was disrespectful, we would say Jimmy shouted at the teacher and called her an inappropriate racially charged term.  Finally, the consequence, or what happens after the behavior.   It is usually here that we look for the reinforcement: in other words, what Jimmy gets out of calling the teacher that bad name.   Is it attention from his peers?   Is it being sent to the office so he misses the spelling test?   Another scientist who significantly credited with developing ABA was Ivar Lovaas, a psychologist at the University of California Los Angeles.   His seminal work in applying behaviorism to children significantly disabled with autism led to what we now call ABA.   For many people, behaviorism seems overly mechanistic.   Human beings are value and meaning assigning creatures, and we would like to believe that there is some powerful underlying mystic about behaviorhence Freudianism.   Although it may seem simplistic, behaviorism may be the best way to strip away all our cultural prejudices and see behaviors as they are.   This is especially helpful with children with autism, who have difficulty with communication, appropriate social interaction, and language.   Moving to the three-term contingency helps us evaluate what we really see when we see a behavior.   So Jimmy tantrums?   What is the antecedent?   Does it cause it?   What does the behavior look like?   And finally, what happens when Jimmy tantrums?   ABA has proven to be an effective means to support appropriate social, functional and even academic behavior.   A special form of ABA, known as VBA or Verbal Behavioral Analysis, applies the tenets of ABA to language; hence Verbal Behavior. The BACB, or Behavior Analyst Certification Board, is the international organization that certifies professionals who design and create the therapies that are used, especially what are called Discrete Trials.   Discrete trials involve the stimulus, response, reinforcement three-term contingency mentioned above. The BACB also maintains a roster of local BCBAs who can provide services to children with autism. Also Known As: VBA, Lovaas

Different Types Of Sharks Essays - Carcharhinidae, Sharks

Different Types Of Sharks Essays - Carcharhinidae, Sharks Different Types Of Sharks INTRODUCTION Although sharks belong to the class Chondrichtyes, there are many different types. Sharks arose about 350 million years ago and have remained virtually unchanged for the past 70 million years and still comprise a dominant group. It is thought that sharks almost certainly evolved from placoderms, a group of primitive jawed fishes. It took a long series of successful and unsuccessful mutations with fin, jaw positions etc to give us all the different designs of sharks around today. When asked to draw a shark, most people would draw a shape along the lines of the whaler shark family, tigers or a mackeral shark such as a porbeagle. However many people do not realize the sheer diversity in the shape of sharks, or that rays are really sharks. Seldom does such an animal inspire such a variety of emotions reflecting a mixture of fascination, awe and fear. Sharks have occasionally exacted a terrible price from humans who have trespassed on their territory. No better understood than the ocean that they inhabit, these creatures should be regarded in the same way as lions, tigers, and bears: as dangerous, predatory but nonetheless magnificent animals. Different Types of Sharks Living sharks are divided into eight major orders, each easily recognizable by certain external characteristics. Each order contains one or more smaller groups, or families. In all there are 30 families of sharks and they contain the 350 or more different kinds or species of sharks. The eight major orders of sharks include the Squantiformes, Pristiophormes, Squaliformes, Hexanchiformes, Carcharhiniformes, Lamniformes, Orectolobiformes, and the Heterodotiformes. The orders have distinguishing characteristics that fit in each. The Squantiformes normally have flat bodies that are ray-like with mottled dorsal surfaces. These sharks have a short terminal mouth, which is armed with small impaling teeth. They also have a caudal fin, which has a lower lobe that is longer than the upper lobe. Their pectoral fins extend forward over the ventrally directed gills. The Pristiophormes have more of an elongated snout, which is saw-like and edged with slender, needle-sharp lateral teeth. They have two dorsal fins and no anal fin. They use short transverse mouths and small cuspidate holding teeth in both jaws. Squaliformes have no anal fin as well, but their snout is not elongated, but is somewhat long. Many have powerful cutting teeth in both jaws. In some species these razor sharp teeth are in the lower jaw only and the upper teeth serve to hold the food. Hexanchiformes have six or seven gill slits. They are sharks with a single spineless dorsal fin, and an anal fin. The typical Carcharhiniforme has an elongated snout, a long mouth that reaches behind the eyes, an anal fin and two spineless dorsal fins. The eyes have movable, nictitating lower eyelids worked by unique muscles. Teeth vary from small and cuspidate or flattened to large and bladelike. Carcharhiniformes have no enlarged rear crushing teeth. Along with this they have a spiral scroll intestinal valve. A Lamniforme shark has an elongated snout. Most have long mouths that reach behind the eyes, an anal fin and two spineless dorsal fins. They also have a ring intestinal valve. The Orectolobiformes have pig-like snouts and short mouths that in most species are connected to the nostrils by grooves. There is an anal fin but no fin spines on the two dorsal fins. They have uniquely formed barbells at the inside edges of the nostrils. Heterodotiformes are the only living shark that combines fin spines on their two dorsal fins and anal fin. They only have five-gill slits. In each order there are specific types of sharks. Each shark belongs to a family with different species. The Angel shark (Squantiforme) is just one of the many. It has a single family of about thirteen species. They are all ovoviviparous livebearers and most do not exceed 1.5 meters. Saw sharks (Pristiophoriformes) are harmless bottom sharks. They are also a single family but with five species. They are also ovoviviparous livebearers. Four sharks that belong to the order Sqauliforme are the Bramble, Dogfish, and Rough sharks. They have three families with eighty-two species. They too, are ovoviviparous livebearers. They have more cylindrical bodies. Frilled sharks, Six, and Seven gill sharks (Hexanchiformes) have two

The Mythical Democratic- Republican National Convention (DRNC) Essay

The Mythical Democratic- Republican National Convention (DRNC) - Essay Example This essay stresses that the recommendations based on the risk analysis include that high security personnel should be deployed in the Bicentennial Park since it will be hosting over 20, 000 protestors who may be targets for a terrorist or bombing attack as well as to prevent them from becoming too violent and disrupting the meeting. The same security personnel with assistance from the security cameras should monitor the Hotel Row which will be housing the dignitaries and media personnel. Majority of the security parameters from the air surveillance to concrete barriers, bomb screening and experts to CCTV cameras and anti-terrorism forces should be present in the arena. There should also be set aside corridors and areas for mass evacuation and mass casualty treatment in case of any attack. The fire department should also be on the forefront with their evacuation skills to lend a hand in case of any risk. During the planning and resource allocation process, the planning committee and sub-committee should make considerations of the number of security forces need with different expertise from ground to air surveillance. This paper makes a conclusion that the combination of the threats, the vulnerabilities and the consequence of the threats happening have led to the identification and ranking of the risk factors and infrastructural assets that need to be considered during planning. The recommendations made are specific enough for the planning committee to consider in their budgetary allocations if curbing of the risks is to not only be effective but efficient as well.

Quantum Cryptography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Quantum Cryptography - Essay Example Both properties form a third strength of quantum cryptography in terms of security. This strong point occurs from every new QKD term code being free of all formerly used codes as this independence lowers the number of methods a criminal can infiltrate the system (Cobourne and Cid, 2011, p. 5). A fourth strength is the future proofing of security offered by QKD. Even when a malefactor breaks through a cryptographic system at any indefinite period in the future, former messages conveyed through it stay secure (Cobourne and Cid, 2011, p. 5). Mathematics has demonstrated the absolute security of QKD networks. Even when dealing with a rival that has endless supplies of time and energy, security of QKD networks are unbreakable. One weakness of quantum cryptography is that quantum mediums are only functional over limited space (Rothke, 2007, p. 1055). This is a technical weakness as it occurs when one evaluates the realities of QKD application. Today, quantum mediums cannot convey data quick enough to offer sufficient levels of service, which forms a second technical weakness. Thirdly, quantum optic gear is susceptible to attacks. Quantum cryptography requires costly setups for upholding quantum processing, which serves as a weakness for mathematics, computer, and physics researchers who cannot afford such infrastructure (Cobourne and Cid, 2011, p. 6). Another weakness is the possibility of quantum cryptography â€Å"killing† mathematical progressions at any period in the future irrespective of quantum computing advancements (Rothke, 2007, p. 1055). Commercially, the promise of ideal security may not be a significant enough imperative for businesses to permit the cost of customized gear and infrastructure (Nano 2014). Since conventional cryptography offers more than sufficient security, businesses will consider the uncertain advantages of quantum cryptography an unworthy risk and weakness (Lydersen et

The Wal-Mart Essay Example for Free

The Wal-Mart Essay Currently, Kroger is the country’s largest traditional supermarket chain. Kroger sells over $60 billion a year, and operates over 2500 supermarkets across the country. But even Kroger is still in competition with Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s philosophy and culture does not appear to value consumer or company ethics. They compete with more than food prices. Many supercenters offer a full-service drive-thru pharmacy, an optical center, a 1-hour photo processing center, a portrait studio, a bank, video rental store, hair and nail salon, fast food chain, tire shop, and even offer 24 hour a day-365 days a year availability. The temperature controls for all of Wal-Mart’s stores across the country are controlled by one computer in Bentonville, Arkansas. Because of Wal-Mart’s size, they have the power to instruct suppliers on how to package their products, including meats. However, meats is one area of the supermarket industry that Wal-Mart has some weaknesses because many supermarkets provide a friendly neighborhood butcher who provides a friendly face and customized approach to consumers’ meat needs. To Wal-Mart, hiring a butcher is a labor expense that is not needed. These types of attitudes in the supermarket industry are exactly the reason why consumers may choose to seek their family grocery needs in a culture and environment where more emphasis is placed on quality customer service, up-to-date technological advances, marketing strategies that cater to a more culturally-diverse consumer, quality products, and a smaller environment that provides a neighborhood-marketplace atmosphere. Smaller supermarkets can offer a wider variety of products, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish. Many successful smaller supermarket chains sell a limited number of grocery items to ensure that the quality is maintained and products are not sitting on a shelf for an extended period of time, and change the product mix frequently to offer unique products at a good value, changing the shopping experience for every visit, especially for repeat and loyal customers. A study conducted in 1999 found that the implementation of customer loyalty programs/frequent shopper programs increased by 16 percent from the first quarter of 1998. As loyalty programs increase, and marketing technology becomes more integrated and advanced, the responsible analysis and collection of customer data will provide merchandisers with numerous opportunities to market products, programs and services that supermarkets can offer to its consumers, including those in an ethnically-diverse population. Supermarkets must be responsible and ethical in their collection of data about their consumers and cater to their shopping needs by offering both quality customer service from its employees, and quality products that fulfill their shopping needs. Extensive study must be done on the consumer to uncover where shoppers shop for certain needs like staple items, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and organic foods, and offer these products in the most cost-effective manner so that the smaller supermarkets do not lose their market share to the larger supercenters and chains.

Politics Essays Gender Stereotypes Tudor

Politics Essays Gender Stereotypes Tudor Gender Stereotypes Tudor To what degree were gender stereotypes a factor in Tudor politics? The first thing to say is that Tudor monarchy was not idealistic, like all governments it was primarily pragmatic in approach, and the great changes in the relationship of Crown and Parliament in this period were a result of immediate needs and evolving precedent. Cromwell steered Parliament towards a considerable extension in its competence to include issues of religion, the succession and the unity of the Realm. I n doing so, he allowed MPs to declare Royal Supremacy and established a new focus of sovereignty, the King-in-Parliament. Edward’s minority made the nature of Cromwell’s Royal Supremacy clear. It was through Parliament that objections to Somerset’s rule were overridden and it was Parliament that was used to transform the official doctrine of England. Respect for statute was a key reason why so many leading Protestants accepted Mary as Queen in 1553. After Mary’s death, Elizabeth and William Cecil inherited a position in which Parliament was growing into a genuine political forum and the use of parliamentary consent became the norm but it is wrong to see in these developments the origins of Parliament’s seventeenth-century attack on divine right kingship. Parliament supported the Crown with money, counsel and by passing its laws. When unrequested advice was offered by MPs on matters which plainly concerned the royal prerogative, the Queen simply refused to be drawn into conflict and avoided a crisis. The Tudors had very clear expectations of men and women, and in general men were expected to be the breadwinners and women to be housewives and mothers. On average, a woman gave birth to a child every two years and having a child was considered a great honor to women, as children were seen as blessings from God, and Tudor women took great pride in being mothers. Many women in this period were highly educated. Women were not allowed to go to school or to university, but they could be educated at home by private tutors. Elizabeth I was tutored by the famous Tudor scholar Roger Ascham. Women were not allowed to enter professions such as law, medicine, politics, but they could work in domestic service as cooks, maids and were also allowed to write works of literature, providing the subject was suitable for women: mainly translations or religious works. Women were not allowed to act on the public stage or write for the public stage. Acting was considered dishonorable for women and women did not appear on the stage in England until the seventeenth century. In Shakespeares plays, the roles of women were often played by young boys.   Women, regardless of social position, were not allowed to vote (however, only men of a certain social position were allowed to vote). Neither could women inherit their fathers titles. All titles would pass from father to son or brother to brother, depending on the circumstances. The only exception was Royalty. The Crown could pass to a daughter, and this allowed Mary, and then Elizabeth, to reign. In some cases women could not inherit estates, but women could be heiresses to property. A man was considered to be the head of a marriage and was expected to look after his wife and children. There was no divorce in Tudor times and marriage lasted until one of the couple died. An Annulment could be obtained, which would mean the marriage was not lawful, but extensive evidence would have to be provided if this was applied for. Henry VIII only ever regarded Jane Seymour and Katherine Parr as his legal wives. The stereotypical idea of a Tudor woman being weak, frail, feeble and foolish has been drilled into our heads for centuries. Even Elizabeth Tudor is said to have appeared on the political stage apologetic for her femaleness. The purpose of this essay is to see to what degree gender stereotypes where an issue in the political factor of the Tudor times, and to what extent this has, if at all, changed. What roles did men and women take on and why where they different, or indeed, segregated? Do the ideals of the Tudor times affect society today? These factors will be seen during my conclusion. Women and their involvement in politics has always been an intriguing to those interested in the history of politics. Women linked with the Royals, or Nobility, -albeit wives, mothers, mistresses, offspring or siblings-have always been the subject of investigation, regarding the power the held over those the ruled, and even the authority they exercised from their concealed places behind those who ruled. Yet, even in the face of this focus, today’s historians seem cautious about laying the notion of power and influence, at the door of the female persuasion. To begin with an example of how gender was an issue, regardless of rank or station, we can look to the monarchy. In the Tudor century, two types of queen had control of the court. They were called Consorts and Regnant. A consorts’ role was one of reproduction. She would be married to a king, but because giving birth to a male heir defined the success of her reign; her inability to reproduce sometimes endangered her position as consort, as Henry VIIIs wives discovered. The consorts’ life narrowly reflected that of noblewomen: those who were expected to produce a male heir to continue their husbands line, to overlook the day’s work in the household, and to support the numerous charities and religious institutions that were seen as appropriate for women to support. A consort’s royal status allowed her opportunities to engage in court politics. Mary and Elizabeth Tudor were exceptions to this rule, as even though they took the title from marriage and succession, they were still expected to rule as monarchs. A Queen Regnant was one whose royal status was a birthright and not an outcome of marriage. These queens where seen as actually reigning and controlling the kingdom, and not with menial activities such as overseeing the running of the household. The notion that women were not able to govern their land, led to the idea that they must take their male councilors’ advice to avoid disaster. There were even concerns about whether Philip II would dominate the decision making during Marys reign. Traditionally speaking, women in politics during the Tudor century where very marginal and hidden figures. Their domain was the household, and work was domestic, as opposed to the male world, a world of very public politics and business ventures. Women were awarded no accreditation for the parts played by them during an event of importance. Indeed, to George Bernard referred to Anne Boleyn as â€Å"nothing more than a flirt and loose living lady†, even after the controversial ideas of her religious influence, alleged adultery and consequential fall. Tudor society was patriarchal, meaning that men were considered to be the leaders and women their inferiors. Women were regarded as the weaker sex, in both physical and emotional values In general females, whether married or single, were seen as unable to think in political factors and were seen as genetically inferior to their male counterparts. Unmarried women would be chaperoned constantly by male relatives and guardians, as it was thought that without a husband to guide them, they would be incapable or looking after their household affairs. Women would spend most of their lives in the house attained by them through marriage. They would focus on the interests of their husbands, children and grandchildren, and those without children would often focus on the interests of siblings, especially sisters. On first perception, it is easy to perceive a woman’s world as narrow and confined to a small space, when in reality, their daily activities and contacts spread further than most could imagine. Built upon a woman’s family and complex network of friends and contacts, was weaved great resource and political influence that allowed these women to perform their motherly, wifely and widows duties with great flair. Their martial family gave them the power they needed to succeed in everyday life, while their birth families provided a safety net for them, if their marriages ever failed. A woman’s birth family was usual the most important in the line of contacts she kept. Her father would be involved with her life extensively, even after she was married to aid them as wives and mothers and to help them with financial issues. In contrast, the males in the Tudor times, held an authority which was officially known as â€Å"political†, although this could entail anything from attending the House of Lords, to arranging their sisters marriages and seeing to a respective suitor. The main parliamentary figure though, was the king, or Queen regnant. Elizabeth I was one of these queens, who took her political power seriously, and without a husband to guide her, much to the distress of Parliament. She gave the House of Commons control over certain authority but made it clear, that as the head of the institution, certain matters would be left to her and her Privy Council. When parliament demanded that she be married in 1571, she told them in no uncertain terms, that they had no right to discuss matters that directly affected her. Although Elizabeth didn’t allow the fact that she was a woman affect her working life, it did seem as though being female was an issue, as she constantly fought to portray herself as male. Rank seemingly played no part in the gender issues of the Tudor age. Upper-class and lower-class women alike attained authority through social standing, relationships and contact with those in higher power and woman’s incorporation into politics, although not the electorate, was the result of increased literacy skills-especially the ability to read- in women allowing them more access to news, information and ideas. In regard to the â€Å"political† goals, most men and women shared the same ideals. To make an advantageous match in marriage would secure money holdings and status which allowed both genders to equally gain influence over such factors as land accumulation, the holding of their reputation and status, and the ability to further family members in terms of careers and marriage. Professor Barbara Harris’s research into gender and Tudor times has been able to show that what was considered domestic, public, political and private where very hard to distinguish from each other during this time. The family was the quintessential political base for women. If you were a wife or mother, this would be considered your â€Å"career† which was politically significant. Women were constantly involved in activities which allowed them to build and maintain relationships with others, such as arranging marriages. Professor Harris rethought this â€Å"domestic chores† Of course, the issue concerning gender where not just rife in the household and in business ventures. Gender was a very common influence on sentencing a criminal as well. Tudor punishments were very severe and entailed hanging, burning to death, torture, whipping, being chained to stocks you would have all sorts of rubbish and rotten foods thrown at you before you eventually starved to death(if you were lucky),or some passing animal decided to have a bite, dunking in a river or branding with a hot iron. These are only a few examples of how a â€Å"criminal â€Å"would be treated. Whipping was sentenced for serious offences such as robbery with violence and begging. For this act, a â€Å"pillory† was often used. A pillory was made of two upright posts and two boards which were held together with each other. These boards had circular openings for the neck and wrists of the prisoner. The pillory had a roof, open sides and was placed on a platform. The prisoner would stand through his whipping, being fully exposed to the public. This form of punishment was usually reserved for male offenders. Women who were accused of being â€Å"scolds where taken to a device called a â€Å"ducking stool†, a highly popular form of punishment for the time. Historians have argued the meaning of the term scold relentlessly and have discussed its implications at length. The same questions always come to rise. Where these women independent, and was this type of punishment one brought by men to keep their women in check? After all, social conformity was extremely important during the Tudor times, and it was often felt that men had to keep their women at hand to save themselves from the embarrassment of having an unruly wife, mother, etc. For Women though, the most common crime was of witchcraft. It was common practice during this period to blame someone for cursing your cattle if one or more of your livestock died without an obvious reason. Witchcraft was considered a serious offence, and was punished in the most serious ways. The Witches of Warboys is an example of those involved in witch-hunting. The Witches of Warboys refers to Alice Samuel and her family between who where accused, taken to trail and then executed on charges of witchcraft in the village of Warboys, England. The accusations were first made by Jane Throckmorton, who had started having fits. She accused the 76 year old Alice Samuel of enchanting her and Jane’s four sisters and some household servants begin reporting similar symptoms. In 1590, Lady Cromwell, (the grandmother of Oliver Cromwell,) came to Warboys to visit. During this time, she met Mrs. Samuel and too accused her of being a witch. At one point, an argument ensued, which was quickly dissolved when Lady Cromwell cut off a lock of Mrs. Samuels’s hair. Lady Cromwell later became ill and later died in 1592.In 1592 Alice Samuel confessed to witchcraft, and was taken to Huntingdon where she was imprisoned with her daughter Agnes and her husband John. All three were tried on April 5th 1593 for the murder, by witchcraft, of Lady Cromwell, and were found guilty. They were sentenced to be hanged. In conclusion, it seems that in the Tudor Century, men and women were segregated in just about everything, from the way they performed daily duties, to what crime was applicable to them. Tudor politics was no different, with the exception of certain women given power in some circumstances, but they still had to appease male advisors and peers, if their influence was to go ahead. Queens such as Elizabeth I made up for her lack in a husband or any other close male relative with her dealings with her male councilors and through the image of her personality as male during contact with the public. In response to the Parliamentary request she marries, 1559: ‘I am already bound unto a husband, which is the kingdom of England and that may suffice you.’ This proved to society that although she was a woman, she was not ruled by her male peers. Gender issues were a factor in Tudor politics, but they were not totally oppressive. It seems that for some people, the gates where open to them, as long as they adhered to certain rules and conduct. It is probably fair to say that, despite the limitations, women had more freedom in the Tudor period than they had had previously and would have again for some time. The Renaissance brought with it a new way of thinking.   Elizabeth being on the throne also encouraged men to educate their daughters, in the hope that it would secure them a more advantageous match in marriage, further widening their political influence. References: Reed, K â€Å"Selected Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559† Presbyterian Heritage Publications, (1994) Carol Levin, the Reign of Elizabeth I (Palgrave, 2002). www.tudorbritain.org Elton, G.R. England under the Tudors. Routledge(1955) Daybell, J. Women and Politics in Early Modern England, 1450-1700 Ashgate.(2004)

Research In Motion Essay

Research In Motion (RIM) is most famously knows for its smart phone device Blackberry. Blackberry, when first introduced in 1999, took the corporate market by storm because of its capability of storing and managing e-mails along with other professional tools. Later the introduction of Black Berry Messenger (BBM) was another successful addition and made it famous among the non-corporate user class all around the globe. From its inception to the introduction of Blackberry and until today, RIM has had various challenges in terms of safeguarding its intellectual property and took some steps to counteract those problems which I will be discussing in this paper. 1.What were some of the challenges that RIM faced to protect its intellectual property, and how did RIM handle those challenges? The first challenge for RIM was in 2001 when it claimed that its competitor Glenayre Electronics infringed on its patent and charged dilution, unfair competition, and false advertising (1). As a result RIM sued them over using its patented mailbox integration technique that was exclusive to its Blackberry smartphone device which was later settled in their favor (2). Another lawsuit filed by RIM was against Good Technology in 2002. RIM alleged that Good was infringing on four of its patents. The first is â€Å"for a method and apparatus to remotely control gateway functions in a wireless data communications network.† The second â€Å"relates to a method and system for loading an application program on a device.† The third â€Å"relates to a method and system for transmitting data files between computers in a wireless data communications environment.† And the fourth â€Å"relates to a mobile device that is optimized for use with thumbs† (3). Finally in 2004 Good Technology signed a settlement with RIM under which it will give RIM a lump-sum payment during its current quarter and ongoing quarterly royalties. Further financial details of the agreement were not disclosed (4). Later in 2006, RIM was sued by mobile e-mail provider Visto Corporation that RIM violated four of its patents. The patents in question relate to the accessing and synchronizing of information over a network and are fundamental to the BlackBerry service (5). After a long battle of three years, in 2009 RIM agreed to pay $267.5 million to settle this dispute adding to a costly series of intellectual-property purchases (6). The company spent more than $1 billion in the past two years on intangible assets, such as patents. It booked part of the cost of the Visto settlement, which gave them a lifetime license to some Visto patents and legal possession of others, as an acquisition of intangible assets (6). Another big event was the RIM-Motorolla lawsuits in 2008 when Motorolla filed a lawsuit against RIM for using its patented technology but in reply RIM sued back Motorolla. RIM filed the lawsuit for â€Å"demanding exorbitant royalties† on patents that were essential to RIM’s business. Besides being accused of â€Å"anti-competitive conduct,† Motorola was also accused of violating nine different patents and for breaking a 2003 agreement by refusing to agree to new terms beyond January 2008. Adding injury to lawsuit, RIM also claimed that Motorola’s licensing fees were due to â€Å"declining fortunes of its handset business† (7). This long battle came to an end when both companies settled out of court. Under the Agreement, Motorola and RIM will benefit from a long-term, intellectual property cross-licensing arrangement involving the parties receiving cross-licenses of various patent rights, including patent rights relating to certain industry standards and certain technologies, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 802.11 and wireless email. In addition, the parties will transfer certain patents to each other (8). 2.What were some of the industry factors that influenced RIM? Industry factors that influenced RIM are Competition, Scale and Future (9). Patents, copyrights and trademarks help a firm safeguard its intellectual assets giving it an edge in the market and enabling to stay competitive in the market. From the lawsuits discussed above, we can see that just in 10 years on inception, RIM had over seven patent related issues for its technology. In technological field, a patent enables a firm to bank on its technology by not allowing other firms to use and produce it. So it enables the firm with the patent to have exclusive right to that technology and have a competitive advantage. When a firm’s technology is successful, patent enables that firm to exploit from it and hence expand their firms scale by securing a larger consumer base leading to a better bright future for the firm. 3.Apply as many TCOs as you can to the RIM. There are quite a few TCOs that can be applied to RIM. Competence Enhancing and Component Innovation applies very well to RIM. Looking at the introduction of Blackberry in 1999, after 14 years we still find them have a strong demand among the smartphone consumer base. So RIM has constantly been improving its blackberry phones keeping them up to date by providing new features that keep the consumer base attracted. Similarly if we look at introduction of features like e-mail service and BBM for blackberry, they are following the component innovation ideology discussed in the course. On the other hand, RIM also follows the concept Network Externalities. BBM can be a good example to support this. Anyone with a blackberry anywhere in the world can send a free message to the other blackberry user using the blackberry network. BBM is actually one of the features’ that has protected Blackberry against I-phone. Tying to BBM, RIM also follows the policy of Trade Secret because no one other than the corporation itself has access to the BBM data. RIM has gone to an extent that recently in India, even the government was not allowed to access the BBM data and after a 19 month service ban the government, RIM finally allowed them to have access but through a different server (10).