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The owners of stock in privately owned businesses have a variety of legal rights under Minnesota law. John Boyle discusses what these rights are, including the right to receive certain information about the company, the right to vote on governance of the company, and the right to stock dividends in certain situations. Shareholders who do not own controlling interests in the company are also protected against unfair dealing by controlling shareholders. Since the violation of shareholder rights can lead to the forced purchase of the stock at a substantial price, the consequences of a shareholder lawsuit can affect employees, together with the remaining shareholders.