CHAPTER 12—BUSINESS, CONTRACT,
CORPORATE, AND SECURITIES LAW INTERNET
SOURCES AND SITES
A.Chapter Summary
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the business law practice area, and provides descriptions of and links to related Internet websites with documents and useful resources.
B.Chapter Objectives
In this chapter, students will:
- Learn about the business law practice area.
- Be introduced to practice area related Internet websites.
C.Instructional Ideas
1.Review the Legal Information Institute’s Contracts page (fatty.law.cornell.edu/topics/contracts.html) for background, lecture, and reference information.
2.Have students find selected business records on local businesses on the State Secretary of State’s website.
D.Chapter Outline
I.Business Law
II.Internet Research Scenario: Finding Corporate SEC Filings
III.Business, Contract, Corporate, and Securities Law Sites
E.Referenced Internet Websites
Business Advisor
Department of Commerce
Federal Trade Commission
Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Homepage
10k Wizard
CataLaw Contract And Remedy Law
CEO Express
Contract Law at Legal Information Institute
fatty.law.cornell.edu/ topics/contracts.html
Corporate Watch
FindLaw Contracts Links
Foundation Center
Freeadvice.com
GuideStar
Hoover’s Online—The Business Network
Institute of International Commercial Law
cisgw3.law.pace.edu
Internet Law Library: Business, Finance, Economic, and Consumer Protection Laws
IOMA’s Business Management Supersite
Law About Corporations
Legal Forms for Lawyers
Lex Mercatoria
Model Syllabus: Contract Law
NASD Regulation, Inc. (NASD)
North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.
SEDAR—Canada
F.Discussion Questions
1.Name two or three Internet sources of corporate information and documents.
A.These should be taken right off of the sites listing: .com,
2.What value is there in reviewing Internet examples of forms and form "boiler-plate" contract language?
A.You may come across language that may be helpful to the case at issue.
3.In a corporate transaction, such as a merger or acquisition, what types of sites and kinds of information would an Internet research professional look for in performing a "due diligence" review?
A.Certainly we would look at the acquisitions’ website for information about the company; review the company’s corporate status with the Secretary of State’s offices in the state of incorporation, and anywhere else the company does business; also be sure to run the company’s name and/or trademarks on the various search engines to get the most relevant hits; also run the information on the news outlet sites.
G.Projects
1.Do some Internet research on GE Credit. Is that entity related to General Electric Company? If so, in what way? If not, how do you know?
A.Yes. GE Credit is a related company. GE Credit has links off of the General Electric Company homepage.
2.Telephone the State Secretary of State’s Office and inquire about the process involved in requesting corporate documents in person or by U.S. Mail. How does that process compare to the documents that the State Secretary of State’s Office makes available on the Internet, if any?
A.This will vary state by state. Generally, the Internet will provide much, if not all, needed documents and information immediately; whereas, in person or by telephone can be a difficult, lengthly task.