Page 3 - Akerman | 2016 Guide to Doing Business in Florida

GUIDE TO DOING BUSINESS IN FLORIDA

Table of Contents
Page

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTORY NOTES ................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 1. FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND GENERAL REGULATION OF
TRADE .......................................................................................... 10

1.1 Regulation of International Trade and Investment in Florida ...................................... 10
1.1.1 USA PATRIOT Act .................................................................................... 10
1.1.2 Restrictions on Foreign Investment ............................................................ 10
1.1.3 Reporting Requirements for Foreign Direct Investment ............................... 11
1.1.4 The International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act ................... 11
1.1.5 The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 ........................ 12
1.1.6 Export Controls ......................................................................................... 12
1.1.7 Foreign Trade Zones ................................................................................. 13
1.1.8 Anti-Dumping Law .................................................................................... 14
1.2 Federal Antitrust Laws ............................................................................................ 14
1.2.1 The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 ............................................................ 14
1.2.2 The Clayton Act of 1914 ........................................................................... 14
1.2.3 The Robinson-Patman Act of 1936 ........................................................... 14
1.2.4 The Federal Trade Commission Act ........................................................... 15
1.2.5 The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ....................... 15
1.2.6 Enforcement ............................................................................................. 15

1.3 Florida Antitrust Laws ............................................................................................. 15
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL REGULATION OF BUSINESS IN FLORIDA ................ 16
2.1 Requirements for Qualification to Do Business in Florida .......................................... 16
2.2 Florida Business Organizational and Regulatory Requirements, Generally ................. 17
2.3 Business Name Registration Requirements ............................................................. 17
2.3.1 Naming Requirements for Business Entities ............................................... 17
2.3.2 Fictitious Names ....................................................................................... 18
2.4 Notice of Business Activities ................................................................................... 19
2.4.1 Annual Reports ......................................................................................... 19
2.4.2 Termination of Legal Existence .................................................................. 19
2.4.3 Withdrawal from the State ......................................................................... 20
2.5 Applicability of Florida State Usury Laws ................................................................. 20
CHAPTER 3. BUSINESS ENTITIES ................................................................... 21

3.1 Florida Corporations ............................................................................................... 21

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