Chapter Nine: Establishing the Legal Foundation
Key Terms
American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) Specifies protections in business for those
with disabilities. (LO 9-4)
Board of Advisors: A group formed at the discretion of the founders (regardless of the
legal form chosen) and composed of individuals outside the business who advise the
founders. (LO 9-7)
Contract: An agreement between two parties to perform certain activities for some
consideration. (LO 9-2)
Copyright: The legal means to protect intellectual property. It grants ownership on
creative materials generated, such as books, magazines, advertising copy, music,
awards, or virtually any other creative product, whether published or unpublished. (LO
9-5)
Draws: A distribution of funds from the business. It is usually in the form of a cash
dispersion in advance of salary, bonus, expected year-end distribution, and the like.
(LO 9-1)
General Partner: In an LLP, the individual considered the manager of the firm, who, as
such, has unlimited liability for any debts or judgments against the firm. (LO 9-1)
LLC: Limited Liability Corporation. (LO 9-1)
LLP: Limited Liability Partnership. (LO 9-1)
Partnership: A type of business formed between individuals directly. It includes both
general and limited varieties. (LO 9-1)
Patent: Claim of intellectual property that covers a specific innovation. (LO 9-.5)
Sole Proprietorship: The simplest form of business organization, characterized by the
fact that the person who owns the business and the business itself are treated as the
same entity. (LO 9-1)
Subchapter C Corporation: An organizational form that treats the firm as a unique
entity responsible for its own taxes. There are no limitations to shareholder participation
and the “owners” are protected beyond their equity investment. (LO 9-1)
IM 9-1
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