Given recent developments in Delaware corporate law, even the stodgy arena of shareholder meetings is not immune to the sweeping changes in the electronic world. Acknowledging the power of the Internet, the state of incorporation for most public companies — Delaware— has liberalized its corporate statutes to allow corporations to have electronic shareholder meetings. As a result, meetings that once created logistical nightmares of gathering scores of people together from a variety of locales can now be conducted without a physical forum.
Provided certain basic procedures are adhered to, the possibilities are nearly endless. The Delaware amendments were crafted in recognition of potential new technologies on the horizon and are flexible enough to adapt to these imminent advancements. For the time being, as long as the company ensures that all shareholders can participate and that voting can be conducted accurately, meetings can now be held in a chat room or via video conferencing.
