What aspect of a foreign corporation's operations might indicate it is "doing business" in a state?

A foreign corporation is typically considered "doing business" in a state when it engages in activities that suggest a continuous and systematic presence within that state. Routine visits by company representatives are a strong indicator of this operational presence. Such visits often imply regular interaction with customers, partners, or suppliers, which establishes a business relationship within the state. This can also reflect an intent to engage actively in the local market, thus meeting the criteria for conducting business under state laws.

While the number of employees, amount of advertising, and volume of products sold can contribute to understanding a corporation's engagement with a state, they do not, by themselves, clearly demonstrate a consistent operational relationship. For example, a corporation may advertise heavily without actually conducting business activities, or have products sold in the state via third parties without establishing a direct market presence. Thus, the nature of routine visits by representatives provides more direct evidence of business operations within the jurisdiction.