§ 1 — Definitions

Section 1. The following words, as used in this chapter unless the text otherwise requires or a different meaning is specifically required, shall mean—(a) ''Person'' shall include, where applicable, natural persons, corporations, trusts, partnerships, incorporated or unincorporated associations, and any other legal entity.(b) ''Trade'' and ''commerce'' shall include the advertising, the offering for sale, rent or lease, the sale, rent, lease or distribution of any services and any property, tangible or intangible, real, personal or mixed, any security as defined in subparagraph (k) of section four hundred and one of chapter one hundred and ten A and any contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery, and any other article, commodity, or thing of value wherever situate, and shall include any trade or commerce directly or indirectly affecting the people of this commonwealth.(c) ''Documentary material'' shall include the original or a copy of any book, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, map, chart, photograph, mechanical transcription, or other tangible document or recording, wherever situate.(d) ''Examination of documentary material'', the inspection, study, or copying of any such material, and the taking of testimony under oath or acknowledgment in respect of any such documentary material.