Business Law Newsletters

Bonds

Bonds are debt securities issued by governments, corporations, and other entities. In return for the loan of money to the issuer represented by the bond, the issuer promises to pay a set rate of interest over the life of the bond and then pay back the principal or face value of the bond to the investor when the bond matures or becomes due.

Degree of Culpability

Typically, directors who conduct the corporation's business must exercise the care that an ordinary prudent person would exercise in the management of his or her own affairs under similar circumstances. This "ordinary" standard of care has been adopted by a majority of states and enacted in their corporation statutes. However, courts consistently interpret the culpability standard for the duty of care as one of gross negligence.

Federal Trade Commission Competition and Consumer Protection Authority

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is given broad authority in the areas of competition and consumer protection law by Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C.S. § 45. Section 5 declares unlawful any "[u]nfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce," and Section 5 gives the Commission authority to prevent use of unfair methods of competition and deceptive acts or practices.

Reliance on Committee Reports

Corporation codes in all states allow the corporate board of directors to appoint committees comprised of directors and to delegate board powers to the committees. Appointment powers are usually addressed in the corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws, which specify the formalities for appointing a committee. Each state's corporation code must be consulted to determine if certain powers are nondelegable.

Waste of Corporate Assets

Under Delaware corporation law and the corporation statutes in most states, directors owe the corporation the duties of care, loyalty, and good faith (and/or obedience). A director can be subject to personal liability for losses sustained by a corporation if the director has failed to ensure that corporate assets are being used for the corporation's (and shareholders') benefit.