The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Beneficial owner." The term shall have the meaning specified in section 2552 (relating to definitions).
"Control." The power, whether or not exercised, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract or otherwise.
"Controlling person or group."
(1) (i) A person or group who has acquired, offered to acquire or, directly or indirectly, publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed (other than for the purpose of circumventing the intent of this subchapter) the intention of acquiring voting power over voting shares of a registered corporation that would entitle the holder thereof to cast at least 20% of the votes that all shareholders would be entitled to cast in an election of directors of the corporation; or
(ii) a person or group who has otherwise, directly or indirectly, publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed (other than for the purpose of circumventing the intent of this subchapter) that it may seek to acquire control of a corporation through any means.
(2) Two or more persons acting in concert, whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, arrangement, relationship or understanding, including as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or through any means of affiliation whether or not formally organized, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of equity securities of a corporation shall be deemed a group for purposes of this subchapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter to the contrary and regardless of whether a group has been deemed to acquire beneficial ownership of an equity security under this subchapter, each person who participates in a group, where such group is a controlling person or group as defined in this subchapter, shall also be deemed to be a controlling person or group for the purposes of this subchapter, and a direct or indirect transferee solely pursuant to a transfer or series of transfers under section 2571(b)(5)(ii) through (vi) (relating to application and effect of subchapter) of an equity security acquired from any person or group that is or becomes a controlling person or group, shall be deemed, with respect to such equity security, to be acting in concert with the controlling person or group, and shall be deemed to have acquired such equity security in the same transaction (at the same time, in the same manner and from the same person) as its acquisition by the controlling person or group.
"Equity security." Any security, including all shares, stock or similar security, and any security convertible into (with or without additional consideration) or exercisable for any such shares, stock or similar security, or carrying any warrant, right or option to subscribe to or purchase such shares, stock or similar security or any such warrant, right, option or similar instrument. The term also includes any other security, instrument, right of payment or other arrangement based on the value of any of the foregoing.
"Profit." The positive value, if any, of the difference between:
(1) the consideration received from the disposition of equity securities less only the usual and customary broker's commissions actually paid in connection with such disposition; and
(2) the consideration actually paid for the acquisition of such equity securities plus only the usual and customary broker's commissions actually paid in connection with such acquisition.
"Proxy." Includes any proxy, consent or authorization.
"Proxy solicitation" or "solicitation of proxies." Includes any solicitation of a proxy, including a solicitation of a revocable proxy of the nature and under the circumstances described in section 2574(b)(3) (relating to controlling person or group safe harbor).
"Publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed." The term shall have the meaning specified in section 2562 (relating to definitions).
"Transfer." Includes an acquisition or disposition of equity securities in a transaction under Chapter 3 (relating to entity transactions).
"Voting shares." The term shall have the meaning specified in section 2552 (relating to definitions).
(Dec. 19, 1990, P.L.834, No.198, eff. imd.; Dec. 18, 1992, P.L.1333, No.169, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1791, No.122, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment. Act 122 amended the defs. of "equity security" and "transfer."
1992 Amendment. Act 169 deleted the def. of "Exchange Act."
1990 Amendment. Act 198 amended the def. of "proxy solicitation" or "solicitation of proxies."
Cross References. Section 2573 is referred to in sections 2562, 2574, 2576 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 15 - CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS
Chapter 25 - Registered Corporations
Section 2501 - Application and effect of chapter
Section 2502 - Registered corporation status
Section 2503 - Acquisition of registered corporation status
Section 2504 - Termination of registered corporation status
Section 2511 - Financial reports to shareholders
Section 2512 - Dissenters rights procedure
Section 2513 - Disparate treatment of certain persons
Section 2521 - Call of special meetings of shareholders
Section 2522 - Adjournment or postponement of meeting of shareholders
Section 2523 - Quorum at shareholder meetings
Section 2524 - Consent of shareholders in lieu of meeting
Section 2525 - Appointment of custodian
Section 2526 - Voting rights of directors
Section 2527 - Authority of board of directors
Section 2528 - Notice of shareholder meetings
Section 2530 - Qualifications of directors
Section 2535 - Proposal of amendment to articles
Section 2536 - Application by director for involuntary dissolution
Section 2537 - Dissenters rights in asset transfers
Section 2538 - Approval of transactions with interested shareholders
Section 2539 - Adoption of plan of merger by board of directors
Section 2541 - Application and effect of subchapter
Section 2543 - Controlling person or group
Section 2544 - Right of shareholders to receive payment for shares
Section 2545 - Notice to shareholders
Section 2546 - Shareholder demand for fair value
Section 2547 - Valuation procedures
Section 2548 - Coordination with control transaction
Section 2551 - Application and effect of subchapter
Section 2553 - Interested shareholder
Section 2554 - Business combination
Section 2555 - Requirements relating to certain business combinations
Section 2556 - Certain minimum conditions
Section 2561 - Application and effect of subchapter
Section 2563 - Acquiring person safe harbor
Section 2564 - Voting rights of shares acquired in a control-share acquisition
Section 2565 - Procedure for establishing voting rights of control shares
Section 2566 - Information statement of acquiring person
Section 2568 - Board determinations
Section 2571 - Application and effect of subchapter
Section 2572 - Policy and purpose
Section 2574 - Controlling person or group safe harbor
Section 2575 - Ownership by corporation of profits resulting from certain transactions
Section 2576 - Enforcement actions
Section 2582 - Severance compensation
Section 2583 - Enforcement and remedies
Section 2585 - Application and effect of subchapter
Section 2587 - Labor contracts preserved in business combination transactions