Small business is not automatically exempt from the federal securities laws. Depending on the circumstances of the transaction, these laws can apply to any company, partnership or organization.
What is a Security?
The Supreme Court test for determining if something is an investment contract, i.e., security:
If something is an investment contract, it is a security. In the case of Securities and Exchange Commission v. W. J. Howey Co. 328 U.S. 293 (1946), the US Supreme Court defined an investment contract as follows:
- It is an investment of money
- There is an expectation of profits from the investment
- The investment of money is in a common enterprise
- Any profit comes from the efforts of a promoter or third party
Examples of Securities Utilized by Small Businesses
Securities can include such investment contracts as bonds, derivatives, leaseholds, intellectual property investment syndicates, options, leaseholds, publication syndicates, ownership interests in limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships and stocks.
Is Your Security Exempt?
If a security is associated with your business, it will fall under the registration and reporting requirements of the 1933 and 1934 Securities Acts – unless your business has obtained an exemption from registration.
- Obtaining an exemption from the 1933 and 1934 Securities Acts is important – most small businesses cannot afford the costs of registering the security
- Violations of the 1933 and 1934 Securities Acts can bankrupt most small businesses
- Be cautious in accepting any risk capital investment from a potential investor who is not an “accredited investor” as defined in SEC Rule 501 of Regulation D
- Be cautious in accepting any risk capital investment from a potential investor where your business has not first provided the potential investor with a private placement memorandum
- Exempted securities can be an excellent source of capital for your company, partnership or organization
Before your company accepts the at risk investment capital, contact Business Patent Law, PLLC and we will discuss possibilities for your business and intellectual properties.
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