The following is a list of the most common business entities worldwide. It is not intended to be exhaustive of all enterprises in the world. Nonprofit enterprises and informal associations have generally not been included, unless they are in common use among traders. Emphasis has been given to private enterprises, as opposed to government or civil enterprises.

The detailed legal requirements for enterprises are numerous, complex, and different from country to country. Moreover, they usually have little meaning within a general definition or comparison of enterprises. The following definitions include some of these details for purposes of giving a general idea of the relative size and complexity of the enterprises, but it is beyond the scope of this work to list and explain every single characteristic, legal nuance, and exception to the exception. For more detailed information, advice should be sought from legal counsel in the relevant country. Another source is the "Martindale-Hubbell International Law Guide." See Resources Appendix for source information.

In many countries, the words "company", "association", and "venture" have special meanings, and therefore the word "enterprise" has been used as a generic term for the concept of a group of persons who join together for purposes of conducting business for profit. Similarly, the word "incorporate" in many countries refers to the procedure for registration of a business, even a partnership; therefore usage of this word has been avoided.

Note: Several definitions are useful at this time:

corporate person
An enterprise whether incorporated or not.

entity
An individual or an enterprise, having an organizational presence separate from the owner, recognized by law as having rights and obligations.

natural person
An individual.

joint liability
Liability for the obligations of an enterprise imposed on two or more owners of an enterprise.

person
An individual or legal entity recognized under law as having legal rights and obligations.

share or stock
An ownership interest in an enterprise. Stock usually refers to an ownership interest evidenced by a formal document issued by the enterprise. Share has a broader meaning in that it can describe a formal interest (such as stock) as well as a less formal interest such as in a partnership. Shares can have different characteristics depending upon the type of enterprise and country of the enterprise. For example: shares can be of equal or unequal value, be voting or non-voting, or can convey limited or unlimited liability for its owner(s).

several liability
Liability for the full obligations of an enterprise imposed on a single owner when other owners who also share responsibility cannot or do not pay.

additional liability company

(Russian Federation)
An enterprise with ownership interests divided into "parts" or "shares," formed to conduct business activities, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (members) who are jointly and severally liable for enterprise obligations in the percentage of their respective contributions to the enterprise.

agrupamento complementar de empresas

(ACE) (association of business entities) (Portugal)
An association of natural or corporate persons in Portugal formed to facilitate and develop the economic activities of the association members for their mutual benefit. Members have unlimited liability for association obligations.

agrupamento Europeu de interêsse econômico

(AEIE) (European economic interest group) (Portugal)
An association of natural or corporate persons from different European Community countries, formed to facilitate and develop the economic activities of the association members for their mutual benefit. Members have unlimited liability for association obligations.

Akciova Spolecnost

(a.s.) (joint stock company) (Czech Republic)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimal capitalization of Kc 1,000,000, formed to undertake business activities, and owned by a single entity or by two or more individuals or entities (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Aktiebolag

(AB) (company limited by shares) (Finland, Sweden)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of SEK 100,000 (private company) or SEK 500,000 (public company), owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Aktiengesellschaft

(AG) (corporation limited by shares) (Germany, Liechtenstein)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Aktiengesellschaften

(AG) (joint stock corporation) (Austria)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and having minimal capital of ATS 1,000,000, formed for commercial purposes, and owned by natural or corporate persons (stockholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Aktieselskab

(A/S) (joint stock company) (Denmark)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of DKK 500,000, formed to conduct business activities, and owned by three or more natural or corporate natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Aktzionerno Drouzestvo

(AD) (public limited company) (Bulgaria)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of stock, formed to conduct any business, and owned by two or more natural or corporate persons (stockholders) who receive dividends, but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the stock.

anonim sirket

(A.S.) (public company) (Turkey)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are traded publicly, formed for any lawful purpose, and owned by five or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

anonymos eteria

(AE) (joint stock company) (Greece)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares which may be traded publicly or privately, formed for any lawful purpose, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but who are liable only for the price of the shares.

Anpartsselskaber

(private company) (Denmark)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of DKK 125,000, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Anstalt

(establishment) (Liechtenstein)
An enterprise in which ownership interests are placed in an undivided fund, usually formed as a holding or investment company, and owned by one or more natural or corporate members who share profits in accordance with contractual provisions in the founding documents.

Ansvarlig Selskap

(unlimited partnership) (Norway)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Artel

(production cooperative) (Russian Federation)
An enterprise with ownership interests combined into a single fund, formed by individuals to produce goods or engage in business activities jointly for their mutual benefit. The owners contribute labor and property to the enterprise, profits are divided in accordance with the labor contributed, and liability for enterprise obligations is stated in the enterprise bylaws.

Associazione in Partecipazione

(participation in association) (Italy)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract and formed by a combination of individuals who contribute capital funds and individuals who provide only services. The partners who provide services have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while the liability of partners who contribute capital is limited to the amount of their contribution. Profit-sharing is fixed by the partnership agreement.

Berhad

(Bhd.) (public limited liability company) (Malaysia)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are publicly traded, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Besloten Vennootschap met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid

(B.V.B.A.) (private limited company) (Belgium, Netherlands)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are not publicly traded, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Betéti Társaság

(Bt) (limited partnership) (Hungary)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract and owned by one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners have liability only to the amount of funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

C corporation

(inc. or corp.) (United States)
A name derived from United States tax laws to refer to a corporation. See corporation.

Chusik-Hosea

(stock companies) (Korea, Republic of)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one or more natural or corporate natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Close Corporation

(Inc.) (Canada, South Africa, United States)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, formed for purposes of conducting business, and owned by one or more persons (shareholders) who usually restrict the power of the managing directors to operate the enterprise. The shares are usually not traded publicly and the number of shareholders is usually less than 30. In some countries, the owners must be natural persons only, while in other countries corporate or natural persons may own shares in a close corporation.

Closed Company

(private company) (Brazil)
A sociedade anonima having shares traded privately. See Sociedade Anonima.

closed joint stock company

(Russian Federation)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of stock that can be transferred by private sale only, owned by one to fifty natural or corporate persons (stockholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the stock.

Commanditaire Vennootschap

(special partnership) (Belgium, Netherlands)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by written contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners have liability only to the amount of capital they have agreed to invest in the company.

Compainía Anómima

(C.A.) (corporation) (Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela)
See Sociedad Anónima.

Compainía de Responsabilidad Limitada

(C. Ltda.) (limited liability company) (Ecuador)
An enterprise with ownership interests divided in shares of equal value known as participations, formed for any commercial purpose, and owned by at least 3 but no more than 25 members. Liability of each member for enterprise obligations is limited to the amount that the member agrees to invest in the enterprise.

compainía en comandita

(C. en C.) (limited partnership) (Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "parts" and formed for commercial purposes by two or more general and limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners are liable only to the capital that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

compainía en comandita por acciones

(C. en C. por A.) (limited partnership with shares) (Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela)
A compaiñía en comandita with ownership interests in the form of shares instead of "parts". See compaiñía en comandita.

compainía por acciones

(C. por A.) (corporation) (Dominican Republic)
See Sociedad Anónima.

Company

(Co.) (Australia, England, Papua New Guinea)
An enterprise having ownership interests in the form of shares owned by natural or corporate persons whose liability is limited to the price of the shares. See public company; private company.

company limited by guarantee

(Papua New Guinea, South Africa)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and owned by members who are liable for enterprise obligations in the amount stated in the formation documents.

Company Limited by Shares

(CLS) (China)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and having minimum capital of RMB 10,000,000, formed for commercial purposes, and owned by natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares. Shares may be sold privately or offered to the public at large.

Compaõnía en Nombre Colectivo

(Compaõnía) (general partnership) (Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Corporation

(Inc. or Corp. or Ltd. or Ltée.) (Bahamas, Canada, United States)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, formed to do business for gain, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Cuideachta Phoibli Theoranta

(c.p.t.) (Ireland)
See Private Company.

Drouzestvo s Ogranichena Otgovornost

(OOD) (private limited company) (Bulgaria)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and with minimum capital of 50,000 leva, formed for business purposes, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares. New members may be admitted only by approval of the existing members.

Empresa Individual de Responsibilidad Limitada

(E.I. de R.L.) (individual limited liability company) (Costa Rica, El Salvador)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated in the formation documents, formed for any lawful purpose, and owned by a single individual who may withdraw profits and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the enterprise property.

Entreprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée

(E.U.R.L.) (individual limited liability company) (France)
A société à responsabilité limitée formed and owned by one person (associé unique) who receives dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the participations. See société à responsabilité limitée.

Eshamli Komandit Sirket

(special partnership with shares) (Turkey)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and formed for commercial purposes by two or more general and special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners are liable only to the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

estabelecimento individual de responsabildade limitada

(EIRL) (individual limited liability company) (Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated in the formation documents, formed for any lawful purpose, having minimum capital of Esc 400,000 and owned by a single individual who may withdraw profits and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the enterprise property.

eteria periorismenis efthinis

(EPE) (limited liability company) (Greece)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are transferred privately and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

eterorythmos eteria

(EE) (limited partnership) (Greece)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing determined by written contract, formed to undertake business activities, and owned by general and limited partners. Each general partner has unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while each limited partner is liable only for the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Exempted Limited Partnership

(ELP) (Bahamas)
An enterprise that is formed and operated similarly to a limited partnership, but that is exempt from business licensee fees and government-imposed taxes for 50 years. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners incur no liability except for the purchase of their interests.

General Partnership

(Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Channel Islands, China, Cyprus, England, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Russian Federation, South Africa, Turkey, United States, Zimbabwe)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing fixed by contract and formed to carry on business for gain by the partners, all of whom have unlimited and joint personal liability for enterprise obligations.

Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung

(GmbH) (limited liability company) (Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are transferred privately and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Gomei Kaisha

(partnership corporation) (Japan)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and formed for commercial purposes by two or more partners.

Goshi Kaisha

(limited partnership corporation) (Japan)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one or more general partners and one or more special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners have liability only to the amount of funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Handelsbolag

(general partnership) (Sweden)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Hapcha-Hosea

(limited partnership) (Korea, Republic of)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners have liability only to the amount of funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Hapmyong-Hosea

(partnership) (Korea, Republic of)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Is Ortakligi

(business partnership) (Turkey)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Julkinen Osakeyhtiö-oyj

(public limited liability company) (Finland)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of Fmk 500,000, formed to conduct any business, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Kollektif Sirket

(general partnership) (Turkey)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial or other lawful purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Kollektivgesellschaft

(general partnership) (Liechtenstein)
An enterprise with ownership and profit-sharing interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Komandit Sirket

(special partnership) (Turkey)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners have liability only to the amount of funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Komanditní Spolecnost

(k.s.) (limited partnership) (Czech Republic)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing determined by written contract, formed to undertake business activities, and owned by general and limited partners. Each general partner has unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while each limited partner is liable only to the amount of the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Komanditno Druzestvo

(limited partnership) (Bulgaria)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by written contract and formed to conclude commercial transactions by two or more individuals who decide to act in concert, but at least one of whom has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations and at least one of whom has liability limited in accordance with the partnership contract.

Kommandit Erwerbsgesellschaft

(KEG) (limited professional association) (Austria)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, formed to provide professional or business services that require special regulatory licenses, and owned by partners who have limited liability for enterprise obligations.

Kommanditbolag

(limited partnership) (Sweden)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners have liability only to the amount of the funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Kommanditgesellschaft

(limited partnership) (Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, formed to carry on trade or production, and owned by two or more partners. At least one partner (Komplementaer) has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations, while at least one other partner (Kommanditist) is liable only to the amount of the funds that the partner has invested in the enterprise.

Kommanditselskap

(limited partnership) (Norway)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners have liability only to the amount of the funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

korlátolt felelosségu társaság

(Kft) (limited liability company) (Hungary)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "parts" and minimum capital of HUF 1,000,000, formed to conduct business for profit, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the parts.

közkereseti társaság

(Kkt) (general partnership) (Hungary)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed to conduct business for profit by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

közös vállalat

(joint venture) (Hungary)
An enterprise formed for profit from commercial activities by two or more natural or corporate persons who are liable for enterprise obligations in proportion to their respective contributions to the enterprise.

Limited Duration Companies

(LDC) (Bahamas)
An enterprise with a limited duration of 30 years or less, formed to allow for automatic termination of the enterprise when the period of existence has elapsed. The formation documents determine whether ownership interests are in the form of shares or otherwise, and liability of the shareholders may be limited or unlimited.

limited liability company

(LLC) (China, Russian Federation, United States)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, formed for commercial purposes, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) but no more than the statutory maximum (usually 50 shareholders). The liability of the shareholders for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

limited liability partnership

(LLP) (United States)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by written contract among the partners, all of whom must be professionals licensed or otherwise specially qualified to offer services regulated by law and must be permitted to offer services through a limited liability partnership. The partners remain personally liable for their own obligations, jointly and severally liable for partnership obligations, but have no liability for the actions of other partners.

limited partnership

(Bahamas, Canada, Channel Islands, Cyprus, England, India, Israel, South Africa, United States, Zimbabwe)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing fixed by contract among the partners and formed to carry on business for gain by two or more partners. At least one partner has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations, while at least one other partner is liable only to the amount of the funds that the partner has invested in the enterprise, provided that the limited partner contributes no services and takes no part in controlling the day-to-day partnership business.

Maatschap

(partnership) (Netherlands)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed to conduct business or to offer services for profit by two or more natural or corporate persons who contribute labor, funds, and property to the enterprise and who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations. The formation contract may limit a partner's liability to the partner's percentage of contribution to the enterprise.

Naamloze Vennootschap

(N.V.) (public joint stock company) (Belgium, Netherlands)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are publicly traded, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Offene Erwerbsgesellschaft

(OEG) (general professional association) (Austria)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, formed to provide professional or business services that require special regulatory licenses, and owned by partners who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Offene Handelsgesellschaft

(Co. or Cie.) (general partnership) (Austria, Germany)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, formed to carry on a trade or production, and owned by partners who are jointly and severally liable for enterprise obligations.

omorythmos eteria

(OE) (general partnership) (Greece)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons (partners) who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise actions.

Open Company

(public company) (Brazil)
A sociedade anonima having shares traded publicly through a stock exchange or otherwise in an over-the-counter market. See Sociedade Anonima.

open joint stock company

(Russian Federation)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of stock sold to the public, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (stockholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the stock.

Ordinary Partnership

(England, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe)
See General Partnership.

Osakeyhtiö

(Oy) (private limited liability company) (Finland)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of Fmk 50,000, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

osuuskunta

(osuus) (cooperative association) (Finland)
An enterprise with ownership and profit-sharing interests determined by contract, formed by five or more members who contribute their property and labor for purposes of carrying on business to their mutual benefit. The liability of the members for enterprise obligations is determined by the formation contract.

Partnership

(England, United States)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract between the owners (partners) who join together for purposes of acting in concert to attain common goals. See general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability partnership.

partnership in commendam

(limited partnership) (Russian Federation)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing fixed by contract among the partners and formed to carry on business for gain by two or more partners. At least one partner has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations, while at least one other partner is liable only to the amount of the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Private Company

(Ltd. or Pvt. Ltd.) (Australia, Bahamas, Channel Islands, Cyprus, England, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are not sold to the public at large, owned by natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Public Company

(P.L.C.) (Australia, Bahamas, Channel Islands, Cyprus, England, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe)
An enterprise having ownership interests in the form of shares that are sold to the public at large and owned by natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Publikt Aktiebolag-abp

(public limited liability company) (Finland)
See Julkinen Osakeyhtiö-oyj.

Részvénytársaság

(Rt) (corporation limited by shares) (Hungary)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of HUF 10,000,000, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

S Corporation

(Inc. or Co.) (United States)
An enterprise with special tax features, having ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one to thirty-five natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive a share of annual net profits as determined by their respective share percentages, and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the funds they agree to invest in the enterprise.

Sendirian Berhard

(Sdn. Bhd.) (private limited liability company) (Malaysia)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are privately traded only, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

sharika mossahmah

(joint stock company) (Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of stock or shares, formed for commercial purposes, and owned by natural or corporate persons (stockholders or shareholders) who receive dividends but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the stock or shares.

sharika tadhamun

(general partnership) (Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons (partners) who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise actions.

sharika tawsiyah baseetah

(limited partnership) (Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing fixed by contract among the partners and formed to carry on business for gain by two or more partners. At least one partner has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations, while at least one other partner is liable only to the amount of the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

sharika tawsiyah biel-ash-nam

(partnership limited by shares) (Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and formed for commercial purposes by two or more general and limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise actions, while limited partners are liable only to the price of the shares.

sharika that massouliyyah mahdoodah

(WLL) (limited liability company) (Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar)
An enterprise with ownership interests divided in shares that cannot be sold publicly, formed for any commercial purpose, having limited duration of no more than 25 years, and owned by at least two natural or corporate persons but no more than the number of members permitted by law (usually 50 or fewer). Liability of members for enterprise obligations is limited to the amount stated in the formation documents.

Sociedad Anónima

(S.A.) (stock company) (Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of stock or shares, formed to sell goods or services, and owned by natural or corporate persons (stockholders or shareholders) who receive dividends based on enterprise net profits but whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the stock or shares.

Sociedad Anónima de Capital Abierto

(S.A. de C.A.) (public corporation) (Costa Rica)
A sociedad anónima registered on the Costa Rican stock exchange, having at least 50 stockholders none of whom own more than 10 percent of the shares, and with at least 10 percent of its shares transferred annually through the stock exchange. See Sociedad Anónima.

Sociedad Colectiva

(S.C. or Cía) (general partnership) (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Uruguay)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Sociedad Commanditaria

(limited partnership) (Spain)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners have liability only to the amount of the funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Sociedad de Capital e Industria

(S.C.I.) (capital and industry partnership) (Argentina)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract and formed by a combination of individuals who contribute funds and individuals who provide only services. The partners who contribute funds have unlimited liability, while the other partners are not liable personally for enterprise obligations. Profit-sharing is fixed by the partnership agreement.

Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada

(S.R.L. or S. de R.L. or Ltda.) (limited liability company) (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Spain)
An enterprise with ownership interests divided in shares of equal value known as quotas, formed for any commercial purpose, and owned by no more than the number of members permitted by law (usually 50 or fewer). Liability of members for enterprise obligations is limited to the amount stated in the enterprise contract.

Sociedad en Comandita

(S. en C.) (limited partnership) (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more active and silent partners. Active partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while silent partners are liable only to the funds that the partner has invested in the enterprise.

Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones

(S.C.A.) (joint stock company) (Argentina, Columbia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico)
An enterprise having attributes of both a stock company and partnership, with ownership interests in the form of stock, and owned by active and silent partners. Active partners are liable for enterprise obligations and obligations to the same degree as in a general partnership. The liability of each silent partner is limited to the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Sociedad en Nombre Colectivo

(general partnership) (Mexico)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Sociedad Regular Colectiva

(general partnership) (Spain)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

sociedade anónima

(S.A.) (stock company) (Brazil, Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, formed for any object or gain not contrary to law or public order, and owned by two or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

sociedade cooperativa

(SCRL) (cooperative) (Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capitalization of Esc 50,000, formed for commercial purposes, and owned by ten or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who share profits in relation to their labor contributions to the business and whose liability for enterprise obligations may be limited or unlimited as stated in the formation documents.

sociedade em comandita por ac¨ões

(partnership with shares) (Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and formed for commercial purposes by two or more general and limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise actions, while limited partners are liable only to the funds that they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

sociedade em commandita simple

(limited partnership) (Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "quotas" and formed for commercial purposes by two or more active and silent partners. Active partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise actions, while silent partners are liable only to the amount of funds that the partner has invested in the enterprise.

sociedade em nome colectivo

(general partnership) (Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise actions.

sociedade por quota

(Lda.) (limited liability companyl) (Portugal)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "quotas", formed for any commercial purpose, and owned by no more than the number of members permitted by law (usually 50 or fewer). Liability of members for enterprise obligations is limited to the amount stated in the enterprise contract.

Società a Responsabilità Limitata

(S.R.L.) (limited liability company) (Italy)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "quotas", having limits on the transfer of quotas, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (quotaholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares, except that a sole quotaholder that is a corporate entity has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations if the enterprise becomes insolvent.

Società in Accomandita per Azioni

(company with liability limited per share) (Italy)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (partners) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Società in Accomandita Semplice

(unlimited liability share company) (Italy)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (partners) who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Società in Nome Collettivo

(general partnership) (Italy)
A enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons (partners) who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Società per Azioni

(S.A.) (corporation) (Italy)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of 200,000,000 lire, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares, except that a sole shareholder has unlimited liability for enterprise obligations in the event the enterprise becomes insolvent.

Società Semplice

(simple partnership) (Italy)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by written or verbal contract, formed other than for industrial or commercial purposes by two or more individuals who act severally but have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Societate cu Raspundere Limitata

(limited liability company) (Romania)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "shares" or "parts", owned by one or more natural or corporate persons whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Societate in Comandita pe Actiuni

(limited joint stock company) (Romania)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are privately traded, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Societate in Comandita Simpla

(limited partnership) (Romania)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners have liability only to the amount of the funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Societate in Nume Colectiv

(general partnership) (Romania)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Societate pe Actiuni

(joint stock company) (Romania)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are publicly traded, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Société à Responsabilité Limitée

(S.A.R.L.) (limited liability company) (France, Luxembourg, Morocco)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "participations", having a maximum duration of 99 years, and owned by one to fifty natural or corporate persons (associés) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the participations.

Société Anonyme

(S.A.) (joint stock company) (Bahamas, Belgium, France, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, formed for any lawful purpose, and owned by natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends but who are liable only for the price of the shares.

Société Coopérative

(S.C.) (cooperative company) (Belgium)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capitalization of BF 750,000, formed for commercial purposes, and owned by three or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who share profits in relation to the amount of business with the enterprise and whose liability for enterprise obligations may be limited or limited as stated in the enterprise formation documents.

Société en Commandite

(S. en C.) (special partnership) (France, Lebanon, Morocco)
See Société en Commandite Simple.

Société en Commandite par Actions

(S.C. par A.) (special partnership by shares) (France, Morocco)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and formed for commercial purposes by two or more general and limited partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while limited partners are liable only to the funds that the partner has agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Société en Commandite Simple

(S. en C.S.) (special partnership) (France, Lebanon, Morocco)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by public deed or private written contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners have liability only to the amount of the funds they have agreed to invest in the company.

Société en Nom Collectif

(SNC) (general partnership) (Belgium, France, Lebanon, Morocco)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by public deed or private written contract, and owned by two or more partners who have unlimited and joint liability for all enterprise obligations.

société en participation

(joint venture) (France)
An enterprise formed by written or verbal contract by natural or corporate persons who agree to act in concert for a particular purpose. Partners conduct business in their own names and are personally liable for enterprise obligations.

Société par Actions Simplifée

(S.A.S.) (simplified shares company) (France)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of FF 250,000, formed by companies for the purpose of conducting business jointly, and owned by two or more corporations (shareholders) that receive dividends and that have liability for enterprise obligations limited to the price of the shares.

Société Privée a Reponsabilité Limitée

(S.P.R.L.) (private limited company) (Belgium)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capitalization of BEF 750,000, and owned by two or more members with liability limited to the amount of the funds they agreed to invest in the enterprise.

Spolecnost s Rucením Omezenym

(s.r.o. or spol. s r.o.) (limited liability company) (Czech Republic)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of investments agreed by the members in advance, formed to undertake business activities, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons, to a maximum of 50. Liability of members for enterprise obligations is limited to the investment amount stated in the founding documents for the enterprise.

spólka akcyjna

(S.A.) (joint stock company) (Poland)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares and minimum capital of Zl 1 billion, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

spólka cywilna

(civil partnership) (Poland)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by private written or verbal contract, formed for business purposes but not registered nationally, and owned by two or more partners who have unlimited and joint liability for all enterprise obligations.

spólka jawna

(registered general partnership) (Poland)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by written or verbal contract, formed for commercial purposes and registered nationally, and owned by two or more partners who have unlimited and joint liability for all enterprise obligations.

spólka komandytowa

(limited partnership) (Poland)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by contract, and owned by one or more general partners and one or more special partners. General partners have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations, while special partners have liability only to the amount of funds they have agreed to invest in the enterprise.

spólka z ograniczona odpowied zialnóscia

(Sp. z o.o.) (limited liability company) (Poland)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are transferred privately, having minimum capital of Zl 40 million, and owned by one or more natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Stock Corporation

(Inc. or Corp.) (Philippines)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Subiratelno Druzestvo

(sudrudzie) (general partnership) (Bulgaria)
An enterprise with ownership interests determined by written contract and formed to conclude commercial transactions by two or more individuals who decide to act in concert and who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Teoranta

(Teo.) (Ireland)
See Public Company.

Trading Company

(Brazil)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of stocks, formed to manufacture goods for export only, and owned by natural or corporate persons (stockholders) whose liability is limited to the purchase of the shares.

Treuunternehmen

(business trust) (Liechtenstein)
An enterprise that has both corporate and trust attributes because a natural or corporate person (trustor) places property into the trust, and the trust property is then invested or otherwise utilized to conduct the business stated in the trust documents. The trust is administered by an trustee on behalf of the trust beneficiaries.

türk limited sirket

(T.L.S.) (limited liability company) (Turkey)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are transferred privately only, having minimum capital of TL 10,000, and owned by two to 50 natural or corporate persons (shareholders) whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Vennootschap Onder Firma

(general partnership) (Belgium, Netherlands)
An enterprise with ownership interests stated by contract, registered to conduct business, and formed for commercial purposes by two or more natural or corporate persons who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Verejná Obchodní Spolecnost

(v.o.s.) (general commercial partnership) (Czech Republic)
An enterprise with ownership interests and profit-sharing determined by written contract, formed to undertake business activities, and owned by two or more partners who have unlimited and joint liability for enterprise obligations.

Yugen Kaisha

(joint stock corporation) (Japan)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of shares that are publicly traded, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons who receive dividends and whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.

Yuhan-Hosea

(limited companies) (Korea, Republic of)
An enterprise with ownership interests in the form of "shares" that are privately transferred, owned by one or more natural or corporate persons whose liability for enterprise obligations is limited to the price of the shares.