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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 8Ch. 2§ 8202 Security Terms And References

§ 8202 Security Terms And References

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8202 Security Terms And References

Key Takeaways

  • •If you buy a stock or bond, the rules written on it or in official papers count, even if you didn’t read them all.
  • •If a company says a stock or bond is fake, they can stop it—even if you paid for it and didn’t know it was fake.
  • •If a stock or bond has a small mistake (but not a huge one), the person who bought it fairly can usually still use it.
  • •If the government sells a bond with a small mistake, it’s still okay if they mostly followed the rules or got paid fairly for it.

Example

You buy a stock certificate from a friend, but the company later says it was stolen before they sold it to your friend.

The company can take the stock back because it was stolen, even if you paid for it and didn’t know it was stolen.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8202 Security Terms And References

(a) Even against a purchaser for value and without notice, the terms of a certificated security include terms stated on the certificate and terms made part of the security by reference on the certificate to another instrument, indenture, or document or to a constitution, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, or the like, to the extent the terms referred to do not conflict with terms stated on the certificate. A reference under this subdivision does not of itself charge a purchaser for value with notice of a defect going to the validity of the security, even if the certificate expressly states that a person accepting it admits notice. The terms of an uncertificated security include those stated in any instrument, indenture, or document or in a constitution, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, or the like, pursuant to which the security is issued. (b) The following rules apply if an issuer asserts that a security is not valid: (1) A security other than one issued by a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, even though issued with a defect going to its validity, is valid in the hands of a purchaser for value and without notice of the particular defect unless the defect involves a violation of a constitutional provision. In that case, the security is valid in the hands of a purchaser for value and without notice of the defect, other than one who takes by original issue. (2) Paragraph (1) applies to an issuer that is a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality only if there has been substantial compliance with the legal requirements governing the issue or the issuer has received a substantial consideration for the issue as a whole or for the particular security and a stated purpose of the issue is one for which the issuer has power to borrow money or issue the security. (c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 8205, lack of genuineness of a certificated security is a complete defense, even against a purchaser for value and without notice. (d) All other defenses of the issuer of a security, including nondelivery and conditional delivery of a certificated security, are ineffective against a purchaser for value who has taken the certificated security without notice of the particular defense. (e) This section does not affect the right of a party to cancel a contract for a security “when, as and if issued” or “when distributed” in the event of a material change in the character of the security that is the subject of the contract or in the plan or arrangement pursuant to which the security is to be issued or distributed. (f) If a security is held by a securities intermediary against whom an entitlement holder has a security entitlement with respect to the security, the issuer may not assert any defense that the issuer could not assert if the entitlement holder held the security directly. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 497, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

certificated securitypurchaser for valuedefect going to its validitylack of genuinenesscomplete defense

Related Statutes

  • § 8208 Warranties Of Authenticating Trustees
  • § 8203 Security Redemption Notice Rules
  • § 8205 Unauthorized Signature Liability
  • § 8207 Rights Of Registered Owner
  • § 8209 Issuer Lien Notation Requirement

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 8202.
View Official Source