Anatomy of an International Debt Collection Case – Legal
Anatomy of an International Debt Collection Case
Zhao Xiaomei Meggie
Introduction
In late June of 2003, I received an e-mail from Daniel Harris, who introduced himself as maritime lawyer from Seattle. He had found me through the internet and was asking me whether I was interested in helping arrest transshipped cargo in Dalian. I was excited about the task and I surfed Dans website [http://www.harrismoure.com] and learned Dan owns a small international law firm in Seattle, called Harris & Moure. I replied to him immediately and sent him some relevant provisions concerning cargo arrests under China legal system. He was very happy with my prompt and helpful reply and we soon were working together on the case. He later told me he was so impressed with my responses that he had picked me over numerous other lawyers throughout China.
Brief of the case
OOO Bolshoretskoe is a Russian fishing company that sold 400 Tons of pollock worth around US$700,000 to Alimex Seafood A/S, a Danish company. The pollock was scheduled to be transshipped from Dalian to Europe. Alimex had not yet paid Bolshoretskoe for the product. Bolshoretskoe owed Daxin Petroleum Pte, Ltd., a Singapore fuel supply company, around US$400,000 for fuel. M/V IVAN POLZUNOV, the vessel carrying the pollock, was scheduled to call on Dalian on 4 July, 2003. Our task was to seize the pollock for Daxin to get Bolshoretskoe to pay its debt.
Bolshoretskoe
The Google Phenomenon: Greatest Hits Collection – Marketing
The Google Phenomenon: Greatest Hits Collection
Dean Phillips
As my readers know, Ive been one of Googles harshest critics. However, Im also a firm believer that its okay to criticize, as long as its justifiable and fairly balanced with deserved praise.
Hence, in this article, instead of criticizing, I will be saluting Google and several of its many accomplishments.
According to the dictionary, the definition of phenomenon is:
"A remarkable development or occurrence. A marvel. "
I think we would all agree that definition fits Google like a fine tailored suit.
In 1998, singer Janet Jackson was the biggest star on the planet. On September 7, 1998, Google Inc. opened its door in Menlo Park, California. The door came with a remote control, as it was attached to the garage of a friend who sublet space to the new corporations staff of three. The office offered several big advantages, including a washer and dryer and a hot tub. It also provided a parking space for the first employee hired by the new company: Craig Silverstein, now Googles director of technology.
Already Google.com, still in beta, was answering 10,000 search queries each day. The press began to take notice of the upstart website with the relevant search results, and articles extolling Google appeared in USA TODAY and Le Monde. That December, PC Magazine named Google one of its Top 100 Web Sites and Search Engines for 1998. Google was moving up in the world.
The name "Google" is a play on the word "googol," which was coined by Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, and was popularized in the book, "Mathematics and the Imagination" by Kasner and James Newman. It refers to the number represented by the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeros. Googles use of the term reflects the companys mission to organize the immense, seemingly infinite amount of information available on the web.
Anyway, the rest as they say is history, as Google continues to write its remarkable history with each amazing new achievement.
Lets detail a few of Googles more recent achievements:
Froogle
In December 2002, Google introduced a beta version of Froogle, a play on the word "frugal," a product search engine that enables users to search for millions of products across the web.
Google AdWords
In October 2000, Google announced its new content-targeted advertising program. Google AdWords was a huge "out-of-the- box" success, boasting well over 100,000 advertisers to date.
AdWords Select
In February 2002, Google launched AdWords Select, an updated version of the AdWords self-service advertising system with a number of new enhancements, including cost-per-click CPC- based pricing.
Google AdSense
In June 2003, Google anounced AdSense, a program designed to maximize the revenue potential of a website by serving highly relevant ads specific to the content of the page, launches with initial partners, including ABC.com, HowStuffWorks, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc., Lycos Europe, Knight Ridder Digital, About.com, CNET and others.
Google Deskbar
In November 2003, Google announced the Google Deskbar, a free software download which enables users to search Google without using a web browser.
Gmail
On April 1, 2004, Google announced a new web-based mail service called Gmail that will include a gigabyte of free storage for each user. The service also includes a powerful search engine to locate and retrieve messages, which are displayed in a "conversation view" that chronologically arranges all emails sent or received with the same subject line. Gmail also includes relevant advertising delivered with the same technology that scans web pages as part of the AdSense service.
To say that Google has had a meteoric rise to stardom would be an understatement. Years ago, who would have thought that the little search engine with the funny name would reach such massive heights that a monolith like Microsoft would find it tough competing.
So, whats next Only Google knows for sure. However, I for one would like to see it tackle the current click fraud problem with the same excellence, zeal and determination its shown in its other remarkable achievements.
About The Author
Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer, publisher and entrepreneur. Questions Comments Dean can be reached at mailto: dean@lets-make-money.net
Visit his website at: http://www.lets-make-money.net
Stop Collection Agency Harassment – Legal
Stop Collection Agency Harassment
Susan Chana Lask, Esq.
Owing a debt does not automatically subject you to harrassing, threatening and other inappropriate collection agency behavior. Some collection agencies go too far with what I call "renegade collectors" they will repeatedly call you at your home and/or business, threaten to send a marshall over to serve you with lawsuit papers or send intimidating letters, appearing to come from an attorney or law firm, stating that you will lose your car, wages and other property if you do not pay your debt! It does not matter that you failed to pay a debt or that you can not afford to pay your debt at this time no one should intimidate, threaten or harrass you or coerce you to give out personal or financial information. Inappropriate collection procedures can intimidate you into paying for costs that may not even be your responsibility.You are protected by the law from innapropriate collection procedures.
The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the New York City Consumer Protection Law Regulation 10 and New York State Statute, General Business Law, Article 29-H, the "State Statute" all prohibit threatening, harrassing and intimidating collection procedures. For instance, the State Statute prohibits a collection agent from a threatening to communicate with your employer prior to that agent obtaining a judgement against you, b communicating with your family or household at such frequency or at such unusual hours as can reasonably be expected to be abusive or harrassing, or c simulating any legal or judicial process or appearing to be authorized, issued or approved by the government or an attorney to collect a debt. Also, if the collection agent sends you a letter demanding you pay without the reuired notice under the federal law regarding your confidentiality, your rights to dispute the debt an dgiving you the appropriate 30 days to respond, then the debt collector is automatically liable to you for any damages plus three times the amount of your damages. Each violation of the State Statute is a seperate misdemeanor offense. You can file charges with the State Attorney General or your County District Attorney and also request a restraining action against the collection company to stop it from continuing abuse and harrassment.
If you feel abused or harrassed by a collection agency, call that agency and get the name and address of the owner/president. Send your written complaint, by certified mail, return receipt, to the owner/president and include in your letter that you "believe that agency is violating the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other state and local laws and that you will a file complaints with the Attorney General or the District Attorneys office subjecting the collection company to misdemeanor charges and b request a restraining action against the collection agency." If the collection company continues to abuse and harrass you, then go ahead and file your charges and complaints .
This article is certainly not all inclusive and is intended only as a brief explanation of the legal issue presented. Not all cases are alike and it is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney if you have any questions with respect to any legal matters.
Any questions and/or comments with respect to this topic or any other topic, contact:
http://www.appellate-brief.com
Law Offices of Susan Chana Lask
853 Broadway, Suite 1516
New York, NY 10003
212 358-5762
Susan Chana Lask, Esq. c 2004
About The Author
Susan Chana Lask is named in the media as New Yorks "high powered attorney". She practices sucessfully all civil, criminal & appeals cases in State & Federal courts nationwide. http://www.appellate-brief.com
scl@appellate-brief.com