Law of Traders and Business Organizations: Course Material

LAW OF TRADERS AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS: A Course Material

ALEMAYEHU FENTAW AND KEFENE GURMU

SPONSORED BY JUSTICE AND LEGAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

ADDIS ABABA

ETHIOPIA

January 2008

Course Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Ethiopian law of traders and business organization: historical background

1. Introduction to Commercial Law

2. General Orientation of the Commercial Code

3. Scope of the Code

Chapter 2: Traders and Business

1. Traders

2. Business

3. Good will and its protection by unfair competition

• Commercial unfair competition

• The specific standard

A. misleading commercial practice

B. False discrediting statements

• Effects of unfair competition

• trade practice proclamation

• trade practice investigation commission

• Criminal unfair competition

Chapter 3: Business Organizations

1. Introduction

1. Definition

2. Distinguishing between business organizations and associations

3. Corporative societies distinguished

2. Classification of business organization

1. Partnership and companies

i) partnerships

ii) companies

2. forms of business organizations

3. distinguishing between commercial and non-commercial business organizations

3. formation

1. key elements in the definition of the partnership agreement

i) a partnership agreement in a contract

ii) two or more persons, physical or juristic can be parties

iii) intent to join together and corporate

iv) contribution

v) for the purpose of carrying out economic activities

vi) participating in the profits and...