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BUSINESS LAW
BUSINESS LAW INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO
SE / Beatty/Samuelson/Abril / Intro to Business Law, 6e ISBN-13: 9781337404341 ©2019 Designer: Stratton Design Text & Cover printer: Quad Graphics Binding: PB Trim: 8.5” x 10” CMYK
IN TR
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U C
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TO BU
SIN ESS LAW
6th EDITION
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Jeffrey F. Beatty Boston University
Susan S. Samuelson Boston University
Patricia Sánchez Abril University of Miami
BUSINESS LAW
6 th
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Australia • Brazil • Mexico • Singapore • United Kingdom • United States
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Introduction to Business Law, 6th Edition Jeffrey F. Beatty, Susan S. Samuelson, and Patricia Sánchez Abril
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iii
C O N T E N T S : OV E RV I E W
Preface xv
U N I T 1 The Legal Environment 1 1 Introduction to Law 2 2 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility 15 3 International Law 39 4 Constitutional, Statutory, Administrative,
and Common Law 58 5 Dispute Resolution 79 6 Crime 101
U N I T 2 Torts 121 7 Intentional Torts and Business Torts 122 8 Negligence, Strict Liability, and Product
Liability 137 9 Privacy and Internet Law 156
U N I T 3 Contracts and the UCC 177 10 Forming a Contract 178 11 Requirements for a Contract 198 12 Performance of a Contract 220 13 Practical Contracts 242 14 Sales 261 15 Negotiable Instruments 278 16 Secured Transactions 295
U N I T 4 Agency and Employment Law 315 17 Agency 316 18 Employment and Labor Law 336 19 Employment Discrimination 356
U N I T 5 The Lifecycle of a Business 377 20 Starting a Business: LLCs and Other Options 378 21 Corporations 398 22 Bankruptcy 420
U N I T 6 Government Regulation 439 23 Securities and Antitrust 440 24 Consumer Protection 460 25 Environ mental Law 482 26 Accountants’ Liability 501
U N I T 7 Property 519 27 Intellectual Property 520 28 Real Property and Landlord–Tenant Law 538 29 Personal Property and Bailment 560 30 Estate Planning 576 31 Insurance 593
Appendix A The Constitution of the United States A1
Appendix B Uniform Commercial Code B1
Appendix C Answers to Selected End-of-Chapter Questions C1
Glossary G1 Table of Cases T1 Index I1
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C O N T E N T S
Preface xv
U N I T 1 The Legal Environment 1 Chapter 1 Introduction to Law 2 1-1 Exploring the Law 3
1-1a Sources of Contemporary Law 3 1-1b Classifications of Law 6
1-2 Working with the Book’s Features 7 1-2a Analyzing a Case 7 1-2b Analysis 8 1-2c Exam Strategy 9 1-2d You Be the Judge 9
Chapter Conclusion 10 Exam Review 11 Matching Questions 12 True/False Questions 12 Multiple-Choice Questions 12 Case Questions 13 Discussion Questions 14
Chapter 2 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility 15
2-1 Why Study Ethics? 16 2-1a Ethics in Business 17 2-1b Why Be Ethical? 17
2-2 Theories of Ethics 18 2-2a Utilitarian Ethics 19 2-2b Deontological Ethics 19 2-2c Rawlsian Justice 20 2-2d Front Page Test 20 2-2e Moral Universalism and Relativism 20
2-3 Ethics Traps 21 2-3a Money 21 2-3b Competition 22 2-3c Rationalization 22 2-3d We Can’t Be Objective about Ourselves 23 2-3e Moral Licensing 23 2-3f Conflicts of Interest 23 2-3g Conformity 23 2-3h Following Orders 24
2-3i Euphemisms and Reframing 24 2-3j Lost in a Crowd 24 2-3k Short-Term Perspective 25 2-3l Blind Spots 25 2-3m Lying: A Special Case 25 2-3n Ethics Case: Truth (?) in Borrowing 25 2-3o Avoiding Ethics Traps 26 2-3p Reacting to Unethical Behavior 27
2-4 Applying the Principles 27 2-4a Personal Ethics in the Workplace 27 2-4b Ethics Case: Weird Wierdsma 27 2-4c The Organization’s Responsibility
to Society 28 2-4d Ethics Case: Up in Smoke 28 2-4e The Organization’s Responsibility to
Its Employees 29 2-4f Ethics Case: The Storm after the Storm 29 2-4g The Organization’s Responsibility
to Its Customers 30 2-4h Ethics Case: Mickey Weighs In 30 2-4i The Organization’s Responsibility
to Overseas Workers 31 2-4j Ethics Case: A Worm in the Apple 31 2-4k Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 32 2-4l Ethics Case: The Beauty of a
Well-Fed Child 32
Chapter Conclusion 32 Exam Review 32 Matching Questions 34 True/False Questions 34 Multiple-Choice Questions 35 Case Questions 35 Discussion Questions 37
Chapter 3 International Law 39 3-1 International Law: Public versus Private 40 3-2 Actors in International Law 40
3-2a The United Nations 40 3-2b The International Court of Justice 41 3-2c International Chamber of Commerce 41 3-2d Sovereign Nations 41
3-3 The World’s Legal Systems 42 3-3a Common Law 42 3-3b Civil Law 42 3-3c Islamic Law 43
v
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vi CONTENTS
3-4 Sources and Applicability of International Law 44 3-4a Sources of International Law 44 3-4b Interaction of Foreign and
Domestic Laws 49
Chapter Conclusion 52 Exam Review 52 Matching Questions 54 True/False Questions 54 Multiple-Choice Questions 55 Case Questions 56 Discussion Questions 56
Chapter 4 Constitutional, Statutory, Administrative, and Common Law 58
4-1 Constitutional Law 59 4-1a Government Power 59 4-1b Power Granted 60 4-1c Protected Rights 63 4-1d Fifth Amendment: Due Process
and the Takings Clause 64 4-1e Fourteenth Amendment: Equal
Protection Clause 66 4-2 Statutory Law 66
4-2a Committee Work 67 4-3 Common Law 68
4-3a Stare Decisis 68 4-3b Bystander Cases 68
4-4 Administrative Law 70 4-4a Rule Making 70 4-4b Investigation 71 4-4c Adjudication 71
Chapter Conclusion 73 Exam Review 73 Matching Questions 75 True/False Questions 75 Multiple-Choice Questions 76 Case Questions 77 Discussion Questions 77
Chapter 5 Dispute Resolution 79 5-1 Court Systems 80
5-1a State Courts 80 5-1b Federal Courts 83
5-2 Litigation 84 5-2a Pleadings 84 5-2b The Discovery Process 87 5-2c Summary Judgment 89
5-3 Trial 90 5-3a Right to Jury Trial 91 5-3b Opening Statements 91 5-3c Burden of Proof 91 5-3d Plaintiff’s Case 92 5-3e Defendant’s Case 92 5-3f Closing Argument 92 5-3g Verdict 93
5-4 Appeals 93 5-4a Appeal Court Options 93
5-5 Alternative Dispute Resolution 94 5-5a Mediation 94 5-5b Arbitration 94
Chapter Conclusion 95 Exam Review 95 Matching Questions 97 True/False Questions 97 Multiple-Choice Questions 98 Case Questions 99 Discussion Questions 100
Chapter 6 Crime 101 6-1 Criminal Procedure 102
6-1a A Civil versus a Criminal Case 102 6-1b State of Mind 103 6-1c Gathering Evidence:
The Fourth Amendment 104 6-1d After Arrest 106
6-2 Crimes That Harm Businesses (and Their Customers) 109 6-2a Larceny 109 6-2b Embezzlement 109 6-2c Fraud 109 6-2d Arson 111 6-2e Hacking 111
6-3 Crimes Committed by Business 111 6-3a Making False Statements 111 6-3b RICO 112 6-3c Money Laundering 112 6-3d Hiring Illegal Workers 113 6-3e Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 113 6-3f Punishing a Corporation 113
Chapter Conclusion 114 Exam Review 114 Matching Questions 117 True/False Questions 117 Multiple-Choice Questions 117 Case Questions 118 Discussion Questions 119
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viiCONTENTS
U N I T 2 Torts 121 Chapter 7 Intentional Torts
and Business Torts 122 7-1 Intentional Torts 124
7-1a Defamation 124 7-1b False Imprisonment 125 7-1c Battery and Assault 125 7-1d Fraud 126 7-1e Intentional Infliction of Emotional
Distress 126 7-2 Damages 127
7-2a Compensatory Damages 127 7-2b Punitive Damages 129 7-2c Tort Reform and the Exxon Valdez 130 7-2d Business Torts 130
Chapter Conclusion 131 Exam Review 131 Matching Questions 133 True/False Questions 133 Multiple-Choice Questions 133 Case Questions 134 Discussion Questions 135
Chapter 8 Negligence, Strict Liability, and Product Liability 137
8-1 Negligence 138 8-1a Duty of Due Care 139 8-1b Special Duty: Landowners 140 8-1c Special Duty: Professionals 140 8-1d Breach of Duty 141 8-1e Causation 141 8-1f Damages 144 8-1g Defenses 145
8-2 Strict Liability and Product Liability 146 8-2a Strict Liability 146 8-2b Product Liability 147 8-2c Contemporary Trends 149
Chapter Conclusion 150 Exam Review 150 Matching Questions 152 True/False Questions 152 Multiple-Choice Questions 153 Case Questions 154 Discussion Questions 154
Chapter 9 Privacy and Internet Law 156 9-1 Privacy in a Digital World 157
9-1a How We Lose Our Privacy in the Digital World 157
9-2 The Law of Privacy 159 9-2a Constitutional Law:
The Fourth Amendment 159 9-2b Common Law: Privacy Torts 161 9-2c Privacy Statutes 163
9-3 Regulation in the Digital World 166 9-3a Regulation of User-Generated
Content 167 9-3b Online Speech 167 9-3c Liability of Internet Service
Providers 169 9-3d Consumer Protection 170
Chapter Conclusion 171 Exam Review 171 Multiple-Choice Questions 174 Case Questions 175 Discussion Questions 176
U N I T 3 Contracts and the UCC 177 Chapter 10 Forming a Contract 178 10-1 Contracts 179
10-1a Elements of a Contract 179 10-1b Types of Contracts 180 10-1c Sources of Contract Law 182
10-2 Enforcing Non-Contracts 183 10-2a Promissory Estoppel 184 10-2b Quasi-Contract 185
10-3 Agreement 186 10-3a Making an Offer 186 10-3b Termination of Offers 188 10-3c Acceptance 190 10-3d Communication of Acceptance 191
Chapter Conclusion 192 Exam Review 192 Matching Questions 194 True/False Questions 194 Multiple-Choice Questions 195 Case Questions 196 Discussion Questions 197
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viii CONTENTS
Chapter 11 Requirements for a Contract 198 11-1 Consideration 199
11-1a What Is Value? 199 11-1b What Constitutes Exchange? 200
11-2 Legality 201 11-2a Non-compete Agreements: Sale of
a Business 201 11-2b Non-compete Agreements:
Employment Contracts 202 11-2c Exculpatory Clauses 203
11-3 Capacity 205 11-3a Minors 205 11-3b Mentally Impaired Persons 206 11-3c Intoxication 206
11-4 Reality of Consent 206 11-4a Fraud 206 11-4b Mistake 208
11-5 Contracts in Writing 209 11-5a Contracts That Must Be in Writing 210 11-5b What the Writing Must Contain 212 11-5c Sale of Goods 213
Chapter Conclusion 213 Exam Review 214 Matching Questions 215 True/False Questions 216 Multiple-Choice Questions 216 Case Questions 217 Discussion Questions 218
Chapter 12 Performance of a Contract 220 12-1 Third Party Beneficiaries 221
12-1a Types of Beneficiaries 221 12-2 Assignment and Delegation 223
12-2a Assignment 223 12-2b Delegation of Duties 224
12-3 Performance and Discharge 225 12-3a Performance 225 12-3b Good Faith 227 12-3c Breach 228 12-3d Impossibility 228
12-4 Remedies 229 12-4a Expectation Interest 229 12-4b Reliance Interest 233 12-4c Restitution Interest 233 12-4d Other Equitable Interests 234 12-4e Mitigation of Damages 235
Chapter Conclusion 235 Exam Review 235
Matching Questions 237 True/False Questions 237 Multiple-Choice Questions 238 Case Questions 239 Discussion Questions 240
Chapter 13 Practical Contracts 242 13-1 Creating a Contract 243
13-1a The Lawyer 243 13-1b Who Drafts the Contract? 244 13-1c Mistakes 244
13-2 The Structure of a Contract 249 13-2a Terms That Vary by Contract 249 13-2b Boilerplate 252
Chapter Conclusion 255 Exam Review 256 Matching Questions 257 True/False Questions 258 Multiple-Choice Questions 258 Case Questions 259 Discussion Questions 260
Chapter 14 Sales 261 14-1 Sales 262
14-1a Development of the UCC 262 14-1b Contract Formation 263 14-1c Performance and Remedies 267
14-2 Warranties 268 14-2a Express Warranties 268 14-2b Implied Warranties 269
Chapter Conclusion 272 Exam Review 272 Matching Questions 274 True/False Questions 274 Multiple-Choice Questions 275 Case Questions 276 Discussion Questions 277
Chapter 15 Negotiable Instruments 278 15-1 Negotiable Instruments 279
15-1a Commercial Paper 279 15-1b Types of Negotiable Instruments 279 15-1c Negotiation 280
15-2 Holder in Due Course 285 15-2a Requirements for Being a
Holder in Due Course 285
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ixCONTENTS
15-2b Defenses against a Holder in Due Course 287
15-2c Consumer Exception 288
Chapter Conclusion 289 Exam Review 289 Matching Questions 291 True/False Questions 291 Multiple-Choice Questions 291 Case Questions 292 Discussion Questions 293
Chapter 16 Secured Transactions 295 16-1 Article 9: Terms and Scope 296
16-1a Scope of Article 9 298 16-2 Attachment of a Security Interest 298
16-2a Agreement 298 16-2b Possession 299 16-2c Value 299 16-2d Debtor Rights in the Collateral 299 16-2e Attachment to Future Property 300
16-3 Perfection 300 16-3a Perfection by Filing 300 16-3b Perfection by Possession 302 16-3c Perfection of Consumer Goods 302
16-4 Protection of Buyers 304 16-4a Buyers in Ordinary Course
of Business 304 16-5 Priorities among Creditors 306 16-6 Default and Termination 307
16-6a Default 307 16-6b Termination 309
Chapter Conclusion 310 Exam Review 310 Matching Questions 311 True/False Questions 312 Multiple-Choice Questions 312 Case Questions 313 Discussion Questions 314
U N I T 4 Agency and Employment Law 315 Chapter 17 Agency 316 17-1 The Agency Relationship 317
17-1a Creating an Agency Relationship 317 17-1b Duties of Agents to Principals 318
17-1c Duties of Principals to Agents 320 17-1d Terminating an Agency Relationship 321
17-2 Liability to Third Parties 321 17-2a Principal’s Liability for Contracts 321 17-2b Agent’s Liability for Contracts 322 17-2c Principal’s Liability for
Negligent Physical Torts 324 17-2d Principal’s Liability for Intentional
Physical Torts 328 17-2e Principal’s Liability for
Nonphysical Torts 328 17-2f Agent’s Liability for Torts 329
Chapter Conclusion 329 Exam Review 329 Matching Questions 332 True/False Questions 332 Multiple-Choice Questions 332 Case Questions 334 Discussion Questions 334
Chapter 18 Employment and Labor Law 336
18-1 Employment at Will 337 18-2 Employment Security 337
18-2a Common Law Protections 337 18-2b Family and Medical Leave Act 341 18-2c Whistleblowing 341
18-3 Workplace Freedom and Safety 342 18-3a Off-Duty Activities 342 18-3b The Right to Free Speech 343 18-3c Lie Detector Tests 344 18-3d OSHA 345 18-3e Employee Data 345 18-3f Guns 345
18-4 Financial Protection 346 18-4a Fair Labor Standards Act 346 18-4b Workers’ Compensation 346 18-4c Health Insurance 346 18-4d Social Security 346
18-5 Labor Unions 347 18-5a Organizing a Union 347 18-5b Collective Bargaining 348 18-5c Concerted Action 348
Chapter Conclusion 350 Exam Review 350 Matching Questions 352 True/False Questions 352
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x CONTENTS
Multiple-Choice Questions 353 Case Questions 354 Discussion Questions 355
Chapter 19 Employment Discrimination 356
19-1 Equal Pay Act of 1963 357 19-2 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 357
19-2a Prohibited Activities 357 19-2b Religion 362 19-2c Family Responsibility
Discrimination 362 19-2d Sexual Orientation 362 19-2e Gender Identity and Expression 362 19-2f Immigration 363 19-2g Reverse Discrimination 363 19-2h Defenses to Charges of
Discrimination 364 19-3 Pregnancy Discrimination Act 365 19-4 Age Discrimination 365 19-5 The Americans with Disabilities Act 366
19-5a The Hiring Process 367 19-5b Relationship with a Disabled Person 367 19-5c Obesity 367 19-5d Mental Disabilities 367
19-6 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act 367 19-7 Hiring Practices 368
19-7a Interviews 368 19-7b Social Media 368
19-8 Enforcement 369
Chapter Conclusion 370 Exam Review 370 Matching Questions 372 True/False Questions 372 Multiple-Choice Questions 373 Case Questions 374 Discussion Questions 375
U N I T 5 The Lifecycle of a Business 377 Chapter 20 Starting a Business: LLCs
and Other Options 378 20-1 Sole Proprietorships 379 20-2 Corporations 379
20-2a Corporations in General 380 20-2b Special Types of Corporations 382
20-3 Limited Liability Companies 383 20-3a Limited Liability 383 20-3b Formation 384 20-3c Flexibility 385 20-3d Transferability of Interests 385 20-3e Duration 385 20-3f Going Public 386 20-3g Piercing the Company Veil 386 20-3h Legal Uncertainty 387 20-3i Choices: LLC versus Corporation 387
20-4 Social Enterprises 388 20-5 General Partnerships 388
20-5a Tax Status 388 20-5b Liability 388 20-5c Formation 388 20-5d Raising Capital 389 20-5e Management 389 20-5f Transfer of Ownership 389 20-5g Terminating a Partnership:
Dissociation 389 20-6 Limited Liability Partnerships 390 20-7 Professional Corporations 390 20-8 Franchises 391
Chapter Conclusion 392 Exam Review 392 Matching Questions 393 True/False Questions 394 Multiple-Choice Questions 394 Case Questions 395 Discussion Questions 397
Chapter 21 Corporations 398 21-1 Promoter’s Liability 399 21-2 Incorporation Process 399
21-2a Where to Incorporate? 399 21-2b The Charter 400
21-3 After Incorporation 401 21-4 Death of the Corporation 402
21-4a Voluntary Termination by the Shareholders 402
21-4b Termination by the State 403 21-4c Piercing the Corporate Ve