Widget Corporation is the manufacturer of many popular children’s toys but have seen a great decrease in sales and the board of directors is worried that the business may no longer be viable. The board decides to aggressively sue other toy manufacturers that have likely been infringing on Widget’s intellectual property, enter into a joint venture with a another company to build a new factory to reduce costs, and make large and notable donations to children hospitals as part of a PR campaign to raise the corporation's image. Additionally, the board decides to start manufacturing medical equipment to make up for the projected shortfalls in budget, even though the corporation was formed to make toys. Some shareholders are upset and sue the board of directors. b) Would the ultra vires doctrine play a role in the shareholders suit again the board? Why or why not?

SWFT Corp Partner Estates Trusts
42nd Edition
ISBN:9780357161548
Author:Raabe
Publisher:Raabe
Chapter7: Corporations: Reorganizations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 32P
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

Widget Corporation is the manufacturer of many popular children’s toys but have seen a great decrease in sales and the board of directors is worried that the business may no longer be viable. The board decides to aggressively sue other toy manufacturers that have likely been infringing on Widget’s intellectual property, enter into a joint venture with a another company to build a new factory to reduce costs, and make large and notable donations to children hospitals as part of a PR campaign to raise the corporation's image. Additionally, the board decides to start manufacturing medical equipment to make up for the projected shortfalls in budget, even though the corporation was formed to make toys. Some shareholders are upset and sue the board of directors.

b) Would the ultra vires doctrine play a role in the shareholders suit again the board? Why or why not?

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Corporate Ethics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
SWFT Corp Partner Estates Trusts
SWFT Corp Partner Estates Trusts
Accounting
ISBN:
9780357161548
Author:
Raabe
Publisher:
Cengage
Business Its Legal Ethical & Global Environment
Business Its Legal Ethical & Global Environment
Accounting
ISBN:
9781305224414
Author:
JENNINGS
Publisher:
Cengage
Business/Professional Ethics Directors/Executives…
Business/Professional Ethics Directors/Executives…
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337485913
Author:
BROOKS
Publisher:
Cengage