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Initial Public Offerings and Lockup Agreements

A lockup agreement is a contract between an underwriter and a company going public in which the insiders of the company, including directors, officers, employees, and friends and family agree that they will not sell shares of the company they own until a set period of time after the company's shares are sold to the public. The objective of the lockup agreement is to provide a stable market for the securities for a reasonable time after the initial public offering.

Trademark Law

(Federal False Advertising and False Designation of Origin Claims)

Securities Law> Additional Offerings, Disclosure & the Securities Exchange Act of 1934> Tender Offers

(Going Private Reporting Requirements for Public Companies)

Business Judgment Rule

The business judgment rule protects a director(s) from personal liability if he or she has performed diligently and carefully in legitimate furtherance of corporate objectives and purposes and has not acted fraudulently, illegally, or otherwise in bad faith. The business judgment rule may be codified, but it is largely a matter of judicial interpretation and application. The business judgment rule is frequently invoked in shareholder damage suits against a director or board of directors. Courts generally acknowledge that the business judgment rule either does or may apply to corporate officers.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board

Municipal bonds and other securities offerings by governmental entities generally are exempt from federal securities law registration requirements. However, information about such offerings is available from sources other than the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.