Crowdfunding or Fraudfunding? Social Networks and the Securities Laws – Why the Specially Tailored Exemption Must be Conditioned on Meaningful Disclosure

36 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2011 Last revised: 3 Jan 2013

See all articles by Thomas Lee Hazen

Thomas Lee Hazen

University of North Carolina School of Law

Date Written: May 20, 2012

Abstract

Social networks have been used as a medium for financing films and other performing arts, as well as for charitable solicitations. These and similar fundraising endeavors are known as crowdfunding. Social networks have the potential for using crowdfunding to reach large numbers of people. Since crowdfunding is designed to reach a large number of people, limiting the fund-raising request to a small amount from each donor can provide meaningful funding. The solicitation of funds as gifts or donations is a substantially unregulated activity. Crowdfunding can also be used to finance small business enterprises, which in contrast is a highly regulated activity by virtue of the securities laws.

Securities laws are designed to provide investor protection by requiring disclosure and in many instances registration. The securities laws come into play when social networks are used to make a widespread solicitation of funds for business enterprises, regardless of the amount being sought from each investor. For the most part, the exemptions from the more burdensome securities law disclosures do not apply when there is a general solicitation as is the case with crowdfunding efforts. There are a few exemptions permitting a general solicitation exist but those exemptions are conditioned on the use of an offering circular or other mandated disclosure to potential investors. The difficulty in evaluating an exemption is trying to balance the policy of encouraging small business formation against the investor protection goals of the securities laws. This article includes an overview of the applicable securities laws and evaluates the various proposals which their proponents argue would provide a workable exemption that would not unduly compromise investor protection.

There was much discussion of providing a less onerous exemption from the securities laws to facilitate crowdfunding of business ventures. In fact, there were a number of proposals to the SEC and Congress urging the adoption of an exemption for crowdfunding efforts. Those proposals eventually led to the JOBS Act which includes a crowdfunding exemption. The article discusses the proposals and the ensuing legislation and concludes that the only appropriate exemption for crowdfunding is one conditioned on meaningful disclosures about the company and the terms of the offering.

Keywords: securities, crowdfunding, social media, social networks

JEL Classification: K22, O30

Suggested Citation

Hazen, Thomas Lee, Crowdfunding or Fraudfunding? Social Networks and the Securities Laws – Why the Specially Tailored Exemption Must be Conditioned on Meaningful Disclosure (May 20, 2012). North Carolina Law Review, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1954040

Thomas Lee Hazen (Contact Author)

University of North Carolina School of Law ( email )

Van Hecke-Wettach Hall, 160 Ridge Road
CB #3380
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3380
United States
919--962-8504 (Phone)

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