(a) As used in this division, “individual” includes every natural person, domestic or foreign private corporation, nonprofit corporation, unincorporated association, company, partnership of whatever kind, syndicate, joint stock company, trustee, protective committee, depositors’ league, and other similar organization however described.

(b) As used in this division, “individual” does not include any of the following persons:

Terms Used In California Corporations Code 27002

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Corporations Code 18
  • security: includes all of the things enumerated in Section 25019 and also includes shares, stock, and investment certificates as defined in the Savings Association Law. See California Corporations Code 27001
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Education Code 77
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.

(1) Any licensed practicing attorney rendering or performing services in connection with the practice of law.

(2) Any person holding a broker-dealer’s or investment adviser’s certificate then in effect issued by the commissioner, rendering or performing services as such.

(3) Any holder of a permit then in effect, granted by the commissioner under the Corporate Securities Law, permitting the issue of certificates of deposit.

(4) Any securities depository as defined in § 30004 of the Financial Code, which is licensed under § 30200 of the Financial Code or exempted from licensing thereunder by Section 30005 or 30006 of the Financial Code.

(5) Any broker licensed by the Real Estate Commissioner of this state rendering or performing services with respect to securities, if the person would not be subject to the broker-dealer certification requirements for effecting transactions in the securities.

(6) Any security owner or holder who, without compensation of any kind, induces or attempts to induce, other security holders or owners of the same issuer into entering into agreements with persons who are excluded from “individual” by virtue of paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 458, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)