[Am-info] does Microsoft adhere to the AMA code of ethics?

[Mike Stephen]

Here  is an interesting boiler plate that could be used as an
example of how many ethical rules microsoft has broken.  If
you are a member of the AMA you can reccomend a fellow member
be striken from the membership.  I wonder if microsoft is a
member?

Perhaps we could discuss the provable points of Microsofts
indiscretions?

following is the code of ethics the AMA requires their
membership to adhere to.




            AMA Code of Ethics
            Members of the American Marketing Association are
committed to ethical professional conduct. They have joined
together in subscribing to this Code of Ethics embracing the
following topics:

            Responsibilities of the Marketer
            Marketers must accept responsibility for the
consequences of their activities and make every effort to
ensure that their decisions, recommendations and actions
function to identify, serve and satisfy all relevant publics:
customers, organizations and society.

            Marketers' Professional Conduct must be guided by:

              1.. The basic rule of professional ethics: not
knowingly to do harm;
              2.. The adherence to all applicable laws and
regulations;
              3.. The accurate representation of their
education, training and experience; and
              4.. The active support, practice and promotion
of this Code of Ethics.
            Honesty and Fairness
            Marketers shall uphold and advance the integrity,
honor and dignity of the marketing profession by:

              1.. Being honest in serving consumers, clients,
employees, suppliers, distributors, and the public;
              2.. Not knowingly participating in conflict of
interest without prior notice to all parties involved; and
              3.. Establishing equitable fee schedules
including the payment or receipt of usual, customary and/or
legal compensation for marketing exchanges.
            Rights and Duties of Parties in the Marketing
Exchange Process
            Participants in the marketing exchange process
should be able to expect that

              1.. Products and services offered are safe and
fit for their intended uses;
              2.. Communications about offered products and
services are not deceptive;
              3.. All parties intend to discharge their
obligations, financial and otherwise, in good faith; and
              4.. Appropriate internal methods exist for
equitable adjustment and/or redress of grievances concerning
purchases.
            It is understood that the above would include, but
is not limited to, the following responsibilities of the
marketer:

            In the area of product development and management:

              a.. disclosure of all substantial risks
associated with product or service usage;
              b.. identification of any product component
substitution that might materially change the product or
impact on the buyer's purchase decision;
              c.. identification of extra cost-added features.
            In the area of promotions:

              a.. avoidance of false and misleading
advertising;
              b.. rejection of high-pressure manipulations, or
misleading sales tactics;
              c.. avoidance of sales promotions that use
deception or manipulation.
            In the area of distribution:

              a.. not manipulating the availability of a
product for the purpose of exploitation;
              b.. not using coercion in the marketing channel;
              c.. not exerting undue influence over the
reseller's choice to handle a product.
            In the area of pricing:

              a.. not engaging in price fixing;
              b.. not practicing predatory pricing;
              c.. disclosing the full price associated with
any purchase.
            In the area of marketing research:

              a.. prohibiting selling or fundraising under the
guise of conducting research;
              b.. maintaining research integrity by avoiding
misrepresentation and omission of pertinent research data;
              c.. treating outside clients and suppliers
fairly.
            Organizational Relationships
            Marketers should be aware of how their behavior
may influence or impact the behavior of others in
organizational relationships. They should not demand,
encourage or apply coercion to obtain unethical behavior in
their relationships with others, such as employees, suppliers,
or customers.

              1.. Apply confidentiality and anonymity in
professional relationships with regard to privileged
information;
              2.. Meet their obligations and responsibilities
in contracts and mutual agreements in a timely manner;
              3.. Avoid taking the work of others, in whole,
or in part, and representing this work as their own or
directly benefiting from it without compensation or consent of
the originator or owner; and
              4.. Avoid manipulation to take advantage of
situations to maximize personal welfare in a way that unfairly
deprives or damages the organization of others.
            Any AMA member found to be in violation of any
provision of this Code of Ethics may have his or her
Association membership suspended or revoked.

            American Marketing Association
            Code of Ethics for Marketing on the Internet
            Preamble
            The Internet, including online computer
communications, has become increasingly important to
marketers' activities, as they provide exchanges and access to
markets worldwide. The ability to interact with stakeholders
has created new marketing opportunities and risks that are not
currently specifically addressed in the American Marketing
Association Code of Ethics. The American Marketing Association
Code of Ethics for Internet marketing provides additional
guidance and direction for ethical responsibility in this
dynamic area of marketing. The American Marketing Association
is committed to ethical professional conduct and has adopted
these principles for using the Internet, including on-line
marketing activities utilizing network computers.

            General Responsibilities
            Internet marketers must assess the risks and take
responsibility for the consequences of their activities.
Internet marketers' professional conduct must be guided by:

              1.. Support of professional ethics to avoid harm
by protecting the rights of privacy, ownership and access.
              2.. Adherence to all applicable laws and
regulations with no use of Internet marketing that would be
illegal, if conducted by mail, telephone, fax or other media.
              3.. Awareness of changes in regulations related
to Internet marketing.
              4.. Effective communication to organizational
members on risks and policies related to Internet marketing,
when appropriate.
              5.. Organizational commitment to ethical
Internet practices communicated to employees, customers and
relevant stakeholders.
            Privacy
            Information collected from customers should be
confidential and used only for expressed purposes. All data,
especially confidential customer data, should be safeguarded
against unauthorized access. The expressed wishes of others
should be respected with regard to the receipt of unsolicited
e-mail messages.

            Ownership
            Information obtained from the Internet sources
should be properly authorized and documented. Information
ownership should be safeguarded and respected. Marketers
should respect the integrity and ownership of computer and
network systems.

            Access
            Marketers should treat access to accounts,
passwords, and other information as confidential, and only
examine or disclose content when authorized by a responsible
party. The integrity of others' information systems should be
respected with regard to placement of information, advertising
or messages.