What is a Security? - Explained
Statutory Definition and Common Law Interpretation
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at April 6th, 2023
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What is a security?
Most people think of a security as simply stock or other ownership units of a business entity; however, the statutory definition of a security is far more extensive. The term security means any, note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or in any oil, gas, or other mineral royalty or lease, any collateral trust certificate, pre-organizational certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate or deposit, or group or index securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof) or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or in general, any interest commonly known as a security.
The definition of a security is broad, but it leaves open the inclusion of any interest not identified within the definition, but that the court deems to constitute a security. There is a great deal of common law surrounding the judicial interpretation of what constitutes a security. Most notably, the term Investment Contract from the definition of a security is construed very broadly and is somewhat of catch-all for business interests that may constitute a security.
Next Article: Investment Contract - Securities Law Back to: SECURITIES LAW
Discussion Question
Why do you think Congress applied such a broad definition of what constitutes a security? Does the fact that common law goes much further to define a security affect your opinion about the suitability of the statutory definition?
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