(1) The taking advantage, directly or indirectly, by a director or officer of a business opportunity may not be the subject of equitable relief, or give rise to an award of damages or other sanctions against the director or officer, in a proceeding by or in the right of the nonprofit corporation on the ground that the opportunity should have first been offered to the corporation, if before becoming legally obligated or entitled respecting the opportunity the director or officer brings it to the attention of the corporation and action by the members or the directors disclaiming the corporation’s interest in the opportunity is taken in compliance with the procedures set forth in RCW 24.03A.615, as if the decision being made concerned a conflicting interest transaction.

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Terms Used In Washington Code 24.03A.620

  • 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.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
(2) In any proceeding seeking equitable relief or other remedies, based upon an alleged improper taking advantage of a business opportunity by a director or officer, the fact that the director or officer did not employ the procedure described in subsection (1) of this section before taking advantage of the opportunity does not support an inference that the opportunity should have been first presented to the nonprofit corporation or alter the burden of proof otherwise applicable to establish that the director or officer breached a duty to the corporation in the circumstances.

NOTES:

Effective date2021 c 176: See note following RCW 24.03A.005.