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FINAL
n/a
176
Law
Undergraduate 2
12/06/2010

Additional Law Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
national labor relations act/nrla/wagner act
Definition
-created a board to enforce labor laws -prohibits employers from penalizing workers who engage in union activity
-requires employers to "bargain in good faith" with unions
Term
Family and Medical Leave Act
Definition
guarantees both men and women up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for childbirth, adoption, or medical emergencies for themselves or a family member
Term
COBRA (consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act)
Definition
statute provides that former employers must be allowed to continue their health insurance for 18 months after being fired
Term
COBRA (consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act)
Definition
statute provides that former employers must be allowed to continue their health insurance for 18 months after being fired
Term
wrongful discharge
Definition
an employer may not fire a worker for a reason that violates basic social rights, duties, or responsibilites
(monge case)
Term
bad reason
Definition
reason that violates public policy
Term
cannot be fired for 3 public policy rules..
Definition
1. refusing to violate the law
2. exercising a legal right
3. performing a legal duty
Term
truth in hiring
Definition
oral promises made during the hiring process can be enforceable, even if not approved by the company's top executives
Term
employee handbook
Definition
creates a contract
Term
covenant of good faith and fair dealing
Definition
prohibits one party to a contract from interfering with the other's right to benefit under the contract
-courts will imply this in some cases in an employment at will relationship
Term
defamation
Definition
employers may be liable when they give false and unfavorable references about a former employee
Term
qualified privilege
Definition
employers who give references are liable only for false statements they know are false or motivated by ill will
Term
intentional infliction of emotional distress
Definition
employers who condone cruel treatment of their workers face liability
Term
whistleblowing
Definition
employee who disclosed illegal behavior on the part of their employer
Term
whistleblowers are protected in the following situations:
Definition
1. the false claims act
2. constitutional protection for govt employees
3. statutory protection for federal employees
4. employees of publicly traded companies
5. state statutes
6. common law
Term
sarbanes oxley act
Definition
protects employees of publicly traded companies who provide evidence of fraud to investigators
Term
occupational safety and health act
Definition
employers must comply with certain standards and keep record of all workplace injuries and accidents
Term
employee privacy: lifestyle control
Definition
-drug/alcohol tests
-off duty conduct
-cannot use lie detector tests
-electronic monitering of the workplace
IF: the employee consents, monitering occurs in the ordinary course of business, employer provides the email system
Term
fair labor standards act
Definition
regulates wages/limits child labor
Term
overtime pay
Definition
workers must be paid time and a half for any hours over 40 in one week
Term
child labor
Definition
only 16 and 17 year olds may work unlimited hours in non hazardous jobs
Term
title VII
(of the civil rights act)
Definition
illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of race,color, religion, sex, or national origin

1. discrimination in the workplace
2. because of pregnancy
3. sexual harassment
Term
burden shifting test
Definition
1. plaintiff-prima facie case
- protected class
-interference/suggestion of discrimination
2. defendant
-non discriminatory reason
3. plaintiff- pretext
Term
disparate treatment
Definition
prima facie case (plaintiff presents evidence that the defendant has discriminated against her because of a proceeded trait, needs to create presumption that discrimination occurred not prove it
Term
disparate impact
Definition
applies only if an employer has a rule that is not discriminatory but excludes too many people
-plaintiff must show prima facie case
Term
defenses to charges of discrimination
Definition
1. merit:if the person favored was the most qualified
2. seniority: a legit seniority system is legal even if perpetuates past discrimination
3. bona fide occupational qualification: employer permitted to establish discriminatory job requirements if they are essential to the position in question
Term
valid sexual harassment case requires 2 things:
Definition
1. quid pro ro: "one thing in return for another"
2. hostile work environment

-company can be held liable if employer suffered tangible employment action
Term
sex. haras. procedures and remedies
Definition
-equal employment opportunity commission
-right to sue letter
Term
close corporation
Definition
a company whose stock is not publicly traded
-protection of minority SHs
-transfer restrictions
-flexibility
-dispute resolution
Term
s corporations
Definition
-encourage entrepreneurship by offering tax breaks
Term
restrictions on s corporations
Definition
-can only be one class of stock
-100 shareholders
-shareholders cannot be partnerships or corporations
-shareholders must agree that the company should be an s corporation
-must be citizens/residents of the US
-
Term
limited liability corporation (LLC)
Definition
offers limited liability of a corporation and tax benefits of a partnership
Term
2 things needed to start up an LLC
Definition
-charter
-operating agreement
Term
3 part test to formulate the piercing of the corporate veil
Definition
1. the defendant controlled the debtor corporation
2. defendant engaged in improper conduct
3. as a result of said conduct, plaintiff was unable to collect on a debt against the insolvent corp
Term
partnership by estoppel applies if
Definition
-if participants tell other people they are partners when they arent or allow people to believe that they are
-a third party relies on this assertion
-the third party suffers harm
Term
dissociation
Definition
when a partner leaves the partnership
Term
term partnership
Definition
partners agree in advanced how long it will last
Term
limited partnership
Definition
Term
s corporations have both the tax status and liability of a ___
Definition
partnership
Term
perpetual existence
Definition
Term
mutual fund
Definition
Term
trustees
Definition
Term
s corp SH's have the liability of a ___ and tax status of a ___
Definition
corporation; partnership
Term
circular
Definition
must be delivered by franchisor 14 days before potential purchase.

must include:
-any litigation against the company in the prior 10 years and claims the company has made against franchisees
-whether it has gone through bankruptcy proceedings in the prior 10 years
-all fees
-estimates of the required initial investment
-what goods must be purchased from the franchisor
-the # of franchisees in operation
-how many franchisees have gone out of business in the prior 3 years
-any competition franchisees will face from company owned outlets
-whether others can sell in its territory and whether it can sell outside its territory
-a warning that franchisees should not rely on other earnings claims unless included in this document
-audited financial statements
-a sample set of contracts that a franchisee is expected to sign
Term
cooperative
Definition
a group of individuals or businesses that join together to gain the advantages of volume sales or purchases
Term
promoter (and their liability)
Definition
someone who organizes a corporation

personally liable on any contract he signs before the corporation is formed
Term
after the formation of a contract, who is liable once a corporation adopts it?
Definition
both the corporation and the promoter
Term
novation
Definition
a new contract with different parties

*promoter is no longer liable
Term
Advantages of incorporating in Delaware
Definition
-laws that favor management
-efficient court system
-established body of precedent
Term
Advantages of incorporating in Delaware
Definition
-laws that favor management
-efficient court system
-established body of precedent
Term
the charter
Definition
-name
-address and registered agent(serves as their official presence in the state)
-incorporator(name and signature)
-purpose
-stock (par value, # of shares, classes and series)
Term
dividend rights
Definition
charter establishes if the SH is entitles to divs and what amount
Term
voting rights
Definition
SHs are usually entitled to elect directors, vote on charter amendments etc but the rights vary between classes and series
Term
liquidation rights
Definition
charter specifies the order in which classes of stockholders will be paid upon dissolution of the company
Term
___ elect the first set of directors, after that the ___elect them
Definition
incorporators; shareholders
Term
minute book
Definition
official record of the corporation
Term
bylaws
Definition
list the "housekeeping" details for the corp.
Term
bonds vs debentures
Definition
long term secured debt/long term UNsecured
Term
pierce the corporate veil
(and the 4 times it generally happens)
Definition
a court holds SHs personally liable for the debts of the corporation

1. failure to observe formalities
2. commingling of assets
3. inadequate capitalization
4. fraud
Term
termination of a corporation is a 3 step process
Definition
1. vote
2. filing
-articles of dissolution
3. winding up
Term
business judgment rule
Definition
courts allow managers great leeway in having fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of their stockholders
Term
to be protected by the business judgment rule, managers must act in good faith:
Definition
duty of loyalty:
1. without conflict of interest

duty of care:
2. with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would take in a similar situation
3.in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation
Term
business judgment rule accomplishes 3 goals
Definition
1. permits directors to do their job
2. keeps judges out of corporate management
3. encourages directors to serve
Term
duty of loyalty
Definition
-self dealing: a manager makes a decision benefiting himself or another company with which he has a relationship
-corporate opportunity: managers are in violation of corp opp doctrine if they compete against the corporation without its consent
Term
self dealing transactions are valid when...
Definition
-the disinterested members of the board approve it
-the disinterested Shs approve it
-the transaction was entirely fair to the corporation
Term
duty of care
Definition
-rational business purpose
-legality
-informed decision
Term
three ways to takeover a company:
Definition
1. buy the assets
2. merge with the company
3. buy stock from the shareholders(tender offer: called a hostile takeover if the board of the target resists)
Term
the williams act (fed regulation of tender offers)
Definition
applies only if stock is publicly traded:

-if you have more than 5%, must file a schedule 13D with the SEC
-when tender offer begins, bidder must file disclosure statement with SEC
-bidder must keep offer open for at least 20days initially and at least 10 after any big change in the offer is made
-any SH may withdraw acceptance of the offer while its still open
-if bidder raises price all selling SHs must be paid the higher price
-bidder must purchase the same amount of shares from everyone if SHs tender more shares than bidder wants to buy
Term
common law of takeovers
Definition
when establishing takeover defenses, shareholder welfare must be the board's primary concern
Term
state anti-takeover statutes
Definition
statutes that automatically impede hostile takeovers

statutes that authorize companies to fight off hostile takeovers
Term
model act
Definition
SHs acting in good faith and with a proper purpose have the right to inspect and copy the corporations minute book, accounting records, and shareholder lists
Term
proxy
Definition
person a SH appoints to vote for her at a meeting, or a doc a SH signs, appointing this person
Term
quorum
Definition
the % of voters who must be present for a meeting to count
Term
shareholder proposals
Definition
under SEC rules, any SH who has continuously owned for one year at least 1% of company or $2000 stock can require that one proposal be placed in the company's proxy statement to be voted on at the shareholder meeting
Term
derivative lawsuit
Definition
brought by SHs to remedy a wrong to the corporation
Term
SHs can file suit on behalf of the corp without the approval of the board if___
Definition
demand would be futile
Term
demand is considered futile if...
Definition
directors violated the duty of care, or loyalty that are required by business judgment rule
Term
shareholders are permitted to sue the corp directly only if....
Definition
their own rights have been harmed
Term
the SEC can create laws in three ways
Definition
-rules
-releases
-no-action letters
Term
security
Definition
any transaction in which the buyer invests money in a common enterprise and expects to earn a profit predominantly from the efforts of others
Term
securities act of 1933
Definition
requires that before offering or selling securities, the issuer must register the securities with the SEC unless the securities qualify for an exemptio
Term
issuer
Definition
stock represents ownership in its issuer
Term
when a(n) __ registers securities, the SEC does not investigate the quality of the offering
Definition
issuer
Term
Regulation D
Definition
rules 504, 505, 506
restrict advertisement of stock, amount that can be sold and to whom
Term
Regulation A
Definition
permits an issuer to sell $5M of securities publicly in any 12 month period
Term
direct public offering(advantages/disadvantages)
Definition
adv:
-cheaper and faster than a regular public offering
-effective marketing tool: SHs tend to become more loyal customers

dis:
-cost of disclosures
-tricky and time consuming to set up a trading system
Term
public offerings
Definition
issues these offerings when it wishes to raise large amounts of capital
Term
initial public offering IPO
secondary offering
Definition
first sale of securities
subsequent public sale
Term
Process an issuer follows for an IPO or secondary offering:
Definition
1. underwriting
-firm commitment underwriting: underwriter buys the stock from the issuer and resells it to the public
-best efforts underwritings: the underwriter doesn't buy the stock but instead acts as the company's agent in selling it

2. Registration statement: has 2 purposes
-notify the SEC that a sale of securities is pending
-disclose information to prospective purchasers
3. prospectus: typically what buyers are given instead of the registration statement

4. sales effort: investment bank solicits offers

5. going effective (begin the sale): SEC sends the issuer a comment letter listing changes that must be made on the registration statement
Term
restricted security
Definition
any stock purchased from the issuer in a private offering
Term
control security
Definition
stock held by any shareholder who owns more than 10% of a class stock or by any officer or director of the company
Term
if a final registration statement contains a material misstatement or omission, the purchaser of the security can recover from ____ .
Definition
everyone who signed the registration statement
-plaintiff must prove material misstatement/omission and that she lost money
-due diligence: an investigation of the reg statement by someone who signed it
Term
issuer must register with the SEC if
Definition
1. it completes a public offering
2. its securities are traded on a national exchange
3. it has at least 500 shareholders and total assets that exceed $10M
Term
under section 16,insiders must __ their trades and turn over to the corp any __
Definition
report/profit
Term
section 18
Definition
anyone who makes a misleading/false statement in a filing is liable to buyers/sellers who:
1. acted in reliance on the statement
2. can prove that the price at which they bought/sold was affected by the false filing
Term
section 10(b)
Definition
prohibits fraud in connection with the purchase/sale of any security, registered or not
Term
scienter
Definition
means willfully, knowingly, recklessly
Term
insider trading
Definition
1. strangers: someone who trades on inside info is liable only if he has a fiduciary duty to the co.
2. fiduciaries:liable is she trades stock of her company while in posession of nonpublic material info.
3. posession v. use of info: liable if insider trades while in posession of nonpublic info, unless she has committed in advance to a plan to sell those securities
4. tippers: liable even if they do not trade themselves as long as they know the info is confidential and they expect some personal gain
5. tippees: those who receive tips are liable even w/out fiduciary relationship if they know the info is confidential, they know it came from an insider violating fiduciary duty, they expected some personal gain
6. takeovers: prohibits trading on insider info during a tender offer if the trader knows the info was obtained from either the bidder or the targer company
7. missappropriation: liable if he trades in securities for personal profit, using conf. info, and in breach of fiduciary duty to the source of the info
Term
foreign corrupt practices act
Definition
it is a crim for any american company to make or promise to make payments or gifts to foreign officials, political candidates, or parties in order to influence a governmental decision
Term
national securities markets improvement act of 1996
Definition
states may no longer regulate offerings of securities that are:
-traded on a national exchanged
-exempt under rule 506
-sold to qualified purchasers
Term
registration by notification, coordination, and qualification
Definition
file a notice before offering; file copies of reg statement; undergo entire registration w/ a merit review
Term
section 5 of the FTC act
Definition
prohibits unfair and deceptive acts or practices
Term
electronic communications privacy act of 1986
Definition
prohibits unauthorized interception or disclosure of wire and electronic communications or unauthorized access to stored communications
Term
under the ecpa....
Definition
1.any intended recipient of an electronic communication has the right to disclose it
2.internet service providers are generally prohibited from disclosing electronic messages to anyone other than the adressee unless necessary to protect their own rights or property
3. an employer has the right to moniter workers electronic comm. if the employee consents, the monitering occurs in ordinary course of business,the employer provides the computer/email system
4. gov needs a warrant for communications that have been stored for 180 days or less, once over 180 days, no warrant is needed
Term
children's online protection act of 1998
Definition
prohibits internet operators from collecting information from children under 13 without parental permission and sites must disclose hoe they will use any info they acquire
Term
gramm-leach-biley privacy act of 1999
Definition
requires banks and other financial institutions to disclose to consumers any non public info they wish to reveal to third parties
Term
safe-harbor principles (european directive)
Definition
a company must
1. tell consumers how it plans to use their data/how they can limit its use
2. provide opp. to prevent disclosure of personal data
3. provide adequate security
4. provide customers with reasonable access to their data
5. establish procedure for dispute resolution
Term
spyware
Definition
a computer program that enters a user's computer without permission and moniters and reports the users activities
Term
communications decency act of 1996
Definition
ISPs and webhosts are not liable for information that is provided by someone else, only content providers are liable
Term
shilling
Definition
(type of online fraud) a seller either bids on his own goods or agrees to cross bid with a group of other sellers
Term
phishing
Definition
a fraudster sends an email directing the recipient to enter personal info on a website that is an illegal imitation of a legitimate site
Term
patent (and the three types)
Definition
a grant by the govt permitting the inventor exclusive use of an invention for a specified period
-not available solely for an idea, but only for its tangible application

-utility, design, and plant patents
Term
utility patent
Definition
available to those who invent or significantly improve a mechanical, electrical, chemical invention; process, machine, or composition of matter
Term
design patent
Definition
protects the appearance of an item, only lasts for 14 years
Term
plant patent
Definition
anyone who creates a new type of plant can patent it provided that the inventor is able to reproduce it asexually
Term
requirements for a patent
Definition
-novel
-nonobvious
-useful
Term
priority b/w two inventors
Definition
the person who invents and puts the invention into practice has the priority over the first filer
Term
prior sale
Definition
inventor must apply for a patent within on year of selling the product commercially
Term
duration of a patent
Definition
valid for 20 years from the date of filing (except design patente-14 yrs from date of issuance)
Term
patent law treaty
Definition
requires that countries use the same standards for the form and content of patent applications
Term
the holder of a copright owns...
Definition
the particular tangible expression of an idea but not the underlying idea or method of operation
Term
to prove infringement (violation of copyright act) plaintiff must prove
Definition
that the work was original, the infringer actually copied the work, or the infringer had access to the original and the two works are substantially similar
Term
first sale doctrine
Definition
permits a person who owns a lawfully made copy of a copyrighted work to sell or otherwise dispose of the copy
Term
fair use doctrine
Definition
permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission of the author
Term
parody is a fair use of copyrighted material as long as...
Definition
the use of the original is not excessive
Term
No electronic theft act
Definition
intended to deter the downloading of copyrighted material, provides for criminal penalties for the reproduction or distribution of copyrighted material that has a retail value greater than $1000
Term
family entertainment and copyright act
Definition
it is a criminal offense to use a camcorder to film a movie in the theater
Term
the digital millennium copyright act
Definition
-it is illegal to delete copyright info such as the name of the author or title of article, or distribute false info
-it is illegal to circumvent encryption or scrambling devices that protect copyrighted works
-it is illegal to distribute tools and technologies used to circumvent encryption devices
Term
the berne convention
Definition
requires member countries to provide automatic copyright protection to any works created in another member country
Term
trademark
Definition
any combo of words and symbols that a business uses to identify its products or services and distinguish them from others
Term
4 types of trademarks
Definition
-trademarks: affixed to goods in interstate commerce
-service marks: used to identify services not products
-certification marks: words and symbols used by a person or organization to attest that products/services meet certain standards
-collective marks: used to identify members of an organization
Term
valid trademarks
Definition
-fanciful marks:made up words
-arbitrary marks:existing words that do not describe the product
-secondary meaning:cannot be trademarked unless they have been used so long the public associates it w/ the product
-trade dress:the image and overall appearance of a business or product
Term
to win an infringement suit trademark owner must prove
Definition
the defendants trademark is likely to deceive customers about who has made the goods or provided the services
Term
rightful owner of a trademark is entitled to:
Definition
1. injunction prohibiting further violations
2. destruction of the infringing material
3. up to three times damages (treble damages)
4. any profits the infringer earned on the product
5. attorneys fees
Term
federal trademark dilution act of 1995
Definition
prevents others from using a trademark thin a way that dilutes its value even though consumers are not confused about the origin of the product or tarnishes it by association with unwholesome goods or services
Term
anticybersquatting consumer protection act
Definition
permits both trademark owners and famous people to sue anyone who registers their name as a domain name in bad faith
-entitled to damages of up to $100,000
Term
trade secret
Definition
a formula, device, process, method, or compilation of information that, when used in business, gives the owner an advantage over competitors who do not know it
Term
anyone who violates a trade secret is liable to the owner for:
Definition
1.actual damages
2.unjust enrichment
3.a reasonable royalty
Term
economic espionage act of 1996
Definition
makes it a criminal offense to steal(or attempt to) trade secrets for the benefit of someone other than the owner, including for the benefit of any foreign govt
Term
grantor
Definition
an owner who conveys an interest in his property to someone else
-grantee(receives it)
Term
real property may be any of the following:
Definition
-land
-buildings
-subsurface rights
-air rights
-plant life
-fixtures (permanent part of the property)
Term
freehold estates
Definition
the owner of a freehold estate has the present right to possess the property and to use it in any lawful way she wants
3 types:
fee simple absolute,fee simple defeasible, life estate
Term
fee simple absolute
Definition
provides the owner with the greatest possible control of the property, the most common form of land ownership
Term
fee simple defeasible
Definition
ownership of a property that can be terminated upon the occurrence of a limiting event
Term
life estate
Definition
ownership of property for the lifetime of a particular person
Term
concurrent estates
Definition
when two or more people own real property at the same time
Term
tenancy in common
Definition
the owners have an equal interest in the entire property
-tenants may sell their interest or leave to heirs upon death
Term
a joint tenancy
Definition
similar to tenancy in common except upon death of one tennant, his interest passes to the surviving joint tennants, not heirs
Term
tenancy by entirety and community property
Definition
forms of ownership that allow one spouse to protect some property from the other, and from the others creditors
Term
easement
Definition
gives one person the right to enter land belonging to another and make a limited use of it without taking anything away
Term
grant v. reservation
Definition
when a landowner expressly intends to convey an easement to someone else; when an owner sells land but keeps some right to enter the property
Term
profit
Definition
the right to enter land belonging to another and take something from it
Term
license
Definition
the right to enter land belonging to another temporarily
Term
mortgage
Definition
a security interest in real property
Term
lien
Definition
the right to foreclose on the property if the mortgagor fails to pay back the money borrowed
Term
implied warranty of habitability
(sellers obligation)
Definition
the builder is guaranteeing that the house contains adequate materials and good workmanship
Term
duty to disclose defects
(sellers obligation)
Definition
the seller of a home must disclose facts that a buyer does not know and cannot readily observe, if they materially affect the property's value
Term
title examination
Definition
the buyers lawyer or someone she hires, searches through the local land registry for all documents that relate to the property to ensure the seller had a valid title to this land
Term
closing
Definition
a meeting at which the property is actually sold, the seller brings a deed (a doc that proves ownership of property)
Term
zoning statutes
Definition
state laws that permit local communities to regulate building and land use
Term
eminent domain
Definition
govts power to take private property for public use
Term
c
Definition
Term
covenant
Definition
a promise by either the landlord or tenant to do something or refrain from doing something
Term
tenancy for years
Definition
a lease stated for a fixed period
Term
periodic tenancy
Definition
created for a fixed period and then automatically continues for additional periods until either party notifies the other of termination
Term
tenancy at will
(unusual tenancy)
Definition
has no fixed duration and may be terminated by either party at nay time
Term
tenancy at sufferance
Definition
when a tenant remains on the premises, against the wishes of the landlord, after the expiration of a true tenancy
Term
duty to deliver posession
Definition
the landlords first important duty is to deliver possession of the premises at the beginning of the tenancy
Term
quiet enjoyment
Definition
the right to use the property without the interference of the landlord
Term
actual v. constructive eviction
Definition
preventing the tenant from possessing the premises/interfering with the tenants use and enjoyment of the premises
Term
tenant remedies for defective conditions
Definition
dif states have dif rules but most tenants can withhold rent, deduct reasonable amount from rent payment if landlord does not fix something, or sue for damages
Term
duty to return security deposit
Definition
landlord who fails to do so may owe more than he anticipates
Term
tenants duties
Definition
-duty to pay rent
-duty to use premises properly
Term
tenants liability
Definition
liable for injuries occurring within the premises she is leasing
Term
landlords liability
Definition
in many states, a landlord must use reasonable care to maintain safe premises and is liable for forseeable harm
Term
landlord liability in regards to a crime
Definition
-nature of the crime
-reasonable person standard
-foreseeability
-prevalence of crime in the area
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