§ 8816 Unauthorized Corporate Name Use

Corporations Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•You can't sign someone else's name to a business ad or paper without their permission.
•It's illegal to make it look like someone works for a company when they don't.
•Doing this on purpose can get you in trouble with the law.

Example

You write your neighbor's name on a flyer saying they are the manager of your new lemonade stand, even though they never agreed to it.

This is against the law because you made it seem like your neighbor is part of your business when they are not. You could get in trouble for lying like this.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 8816 Unauthorized Corporate Name Use

Every person who, without being authorized so to do, subscribes the name of another to or inserts the name of another in any prospectus, circular or other advertisement or announcement of any corporation, whether existing or intended to be formed, with intent to permit the document to be published and thereby to lead persons to believe that the person whose name is so subscribed is an officer, agent or promoter of such corporation, when in fact no such relationship exists to the knowledge of such person, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 567.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

misdemeanor prospectus circular advertisement corporation officer agent promoter

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 8816.

Key Takeaways

Example

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Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References