The company's purpose is to participate, on its own account and on behalf of third parties, in enterprises in Switzerland and abroad, in particular those in the book trade sector. The company may establish or acquire such or similar enterprises and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to the aforementioned purpose, in particular acquire, dispose of, exploit or have exploited commercial, literary or artistic property rights, and buy and sell real estate in Switzerland and abroad. The company is authorized to enter into financial obligations of all kinds necessary for the implementation of the company's purpose. The company may conduct financing transactions, grant loans to third parties as well as to the direct and indirect shareholders of the company and group companies, and provide security of all kinds for their liabilities to third parties, including pledges, security assignments and guarantees, even if these loans or securities are in the exclusive interest of their direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are granted free of charge.