Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Option Fee Disputes, 78325-78327 [2011-32238]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Notices
distinguishing between Complex
electronic auctions and non-Complex
electronic auctions. In addition, the
Exchange proposes to pay rebates and
assess fees for the opening process as a
non-Complex auction. The opening
process would not involve a Complex
Order and therefore would be paid
rebates and assessed fees consistent
with the Exchange’s proposal to assess
electronic auctions based on whether it
relates to a Complex Order. The
Exchange believes that it is reasonable,
equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory to pay the rebates and
assess the fees in Part A, related to
single contra-side orders, for the
opening process.
The Exchange believes that the
technical amendments proposed herein
are reasonable, equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory because they
would add clarity to the Fee Schedule.
The Exchange operates in a highly
competitive market in which market
participants can readily direct order
flow to competing venues if they deem
fee levels at a particular venue to be
excessive. The Exchange believes that
the fees it charges and rebates it pays for
options overlying the various Select
Symbols remain competitive with fees
and rebates charged/paid by other
venues and therefore continue to be
reasonable and equitably allocated to
those members that opt to direct orders
to the Exchange rather than competing
venues.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either
solicited or received
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.21 At any time
within 60 days of the filing of the
proposed rule change, the Commission
summarily may temporarily suspend
such rule change if it appears to the
Commission that such action is
necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors,
21 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:42 Dec 15, 2011
Jkt 226001
or otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall
institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule should be
approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
78325
162 and should be submitted on or
before January 6, 2012.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.22
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–32220 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–65931; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2011–168]
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form
(https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to
rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File No. SR–Phlx–2011–162 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–Phlx–2011–162. This file number
should be included on the subject line
if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site
(https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml).
Copies of the submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing
also will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of the
Exchange. All comments received will
be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File No. SR–Phlx–2011–
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
a Proposed Rule Change Relating to
Option Fee Disputes
December 9, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 2 thereunder,
notice is hereby given that on November
30, 2011. The NASDAQ Stock Market
LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the NASDAQ.
The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested
persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
proposes to amend Rule 7056 entitled
‘‘NASDAQ Options Fee Disputes’’ to
specify that the Options Regulatory Fee
is subject to Rule 7056.
The text of the proposed rule change
is set forth below. Proposed new text is
italicized and deleted text is in brackets.
*
*
*
*
*
7056. NASDAQ Options Fee Disputes
(a) All fee disputes concerning fees
which are billed by the Exchange must
be submitted to the Exchange in writing
and must be accompanied by supporting
documentation.
(b) All fee disputes must be submitted
no later than sixty (60) days after receipt
of a billing invoice.
(c) This Rule applies to the following
NASDAQ Options Market fees:
(1) Rule 7050 ‘‘NASDAQ Options
Market—Fees’’; [and]
22 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
78326
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Notices
(2) Rule 7053 ‘‘NASDAQ Options
Market—Access Services,’’ with the
exception of the TradeInfo Fee[.]; and
(3) Rule 7059 ‘‘NASDAQ Options
Regulatory Fee.’’
*
*
*
*
*
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Web site
at https://
www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the
principal office of the Exchange, and at
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change. The text of
these statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1. Purpose
NASDAQ proposes to amend Rule
7056 entitled ‘‘NASDAQ Options Fee
Disputes’’ to list Rule 7059 entitled
‘‘NASDAQ Options Regulatory Fee’’ as
a fee subject the fee dispute Rule.3
Currently, Rule 7056 requires NOM
Participants to submit all fee disputes to
the Exchange in writing 4 and
accompanied by supporting
documentation within sixty days of
receipt of an invoice.5 Exchange Rule
7056 applies to the fees in Rule 7050
entitled ‘‘NASDAQ Options Market’’
and Rule 7053 entitled ‘‘NASDAQ
Options Market—Access Services’’ with
the exception of the TradeInfo Fee. The
Exchange is now proposing to also
apply Rule 7056 to the Options
Regulatory Fee.6
The Exchange believes that this
practice will conserve Exchange
3 The Exchange recently filed a proposed rule
change to adopt an Options Regulatory Fee
operative on January 3, 2012. See SR–NASDAQ–
2011–163.
4 The Exchange invoice specifies the Exchange
contact persons with whom to dispute the invoice.
5 Rule 7056 will be operative on January 3, 2012
and would first apply to invoices related to
transactional billing in January 2012 and would
apply thereafter. See Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 65718 (November 9, 2011), 76 FR 71088
(November 16, 2011) (SR–NASDAQ–2011–147).
6 NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’) applies the
same fee dispute rule to its Options Regulatory Fee.
See Phlx’s Fee Schedule.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:42 Dec 15, 2011
Jkt 226001
resources which are expended when
untimely billing disputes require staff to
research applicable fees and order
information beyond two months after
the transaction occurred. The Exchange
believes that NOM Participants should
be aware of any billing errors within
two months of receiving an invoice. The
Exchange provides NOM Participants
with the ability to sign-up to receive
certain daily reports.7 These reports
allow NOM Participants to view trade
data and fees prior to receiving a billing
invoice. In addition, NOM Participants
have access to a password protected
Web site, which provides NOM
Participants an electronic copy of
current and historical invoices, as well
as the supporting details for assessed
charges.8 NOM Participants have the
ability to retrieve trade information from
this Web site on a T +1 basis.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Act 9 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 10
in particular, in that it is designed to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general to protect
investors and the public interest, by
providing a uniform practice for
disputing fees.
The Exchange believes that it is
reasonable, equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory to impose a requirement
on the ORF, similar to other fees,
concerning fee disputes. The Exchange
believes the requirement that all fee
disputes, for certain specified fees, must
be submitted to the Exchange within
sixty days from receipt of the invoice is
reasonable because the Exchange
provides ample tools to properly and
timely monitor and account for various
charges incurred in a given month.11
The proposal is equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory because it
equally applies to all NOM Participants
who have the ability to access various
reports, which include the information
concerning ORF. Phlx has a similar rule
7 These reports include, but are not limited to,
daily traded against report and daily cancel fee
reports.
8 The Web site is MyNASDAQOMX.com. See
Options Trader Alert #2011–60.
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
11 The Exchange provides NOM Participants with
the ability to sign-up to receive certain daily
reports. These reports allow NOM Participants to
view trade data and fees prior to receiving a billing
invoice.
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
which is applicable to its ORF fees.12
Also, the Exchange’s administrative
costs would be lowered as a result of
this policy.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either
solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change does not: (i) Significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative for 30 days after the date of
the filing, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act 13 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 14
thereunder.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
12 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62661
(August 6, 2010), 75 FR 49544 (August 13, 2010)
(SR–Phlx–2010–110). See also Phlx’s Fee Schedule.
13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change at least five business days
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
requirement.
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Notices
Electronic Comments
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NASDAQ–2011–168 on the
subject line.
[Public Notice 7717]
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NASDAQ–2011–168. This
file number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing
also will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of the
Exchange. All comments received will
be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NASDAQ–2011–168 and should be
submitted on or before January 6, 2012.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority. 15
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–32238 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
15 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:42 Dec 15, 2011
Jkt 226001
Meeting of Advisory Committee on
International Communications and
Information Policy
The Department of State’s Advisory
Committee on International
Communications and Information
Policy (ACICIP) will hold a public
meeting on January 12, 2012 from 9 a.m.
to 12 p.m. in the Loy Henderson
Auditorium of the Harry S. Truman
Building of the U.S. Department of
State. The Truman Building is located at
2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC
20520.
The committee provides a formal
channel for regular consultation and
coordination on major economic, social
and legal issues and problems in
international communications and
information policy, especially as these
issues and problems involve users of
information and communications
services, providers of such services,
technology research and development,
foreign industrial and regulatory policy,
the activities of international
organizations with regard to
communications and information, and
developing country issues.
The meeting will be led by ACICIP
Chair Mr. Thomas Wheeler of Core
Capital Partners and Ambassador Philip
L. Verveer, U.S. Coordinator for
International Communications and
Information Policy. The meeting’s
agenda will include discussions
pertaining to various upcoming
international telecommunications
meetings and conferences, as well as
bilateral and multilateral meetings that
have taken place recently. In addition,
the Committee will discuss key issues of
importance to U.S. communications
policy interests including privacy, and
security and law enforcement access
issues related to cloud computing, as
well as recent private sector efforts
focused on the ICT aspects of
international disaster response.
Members of the public may submit
suggestions and comments to the
ACICIP. Comments concerning topics to
be addressed in the agenda should be
received by the ACICIP Executive
Secretary (contact information below) at
least ten working days prior to the date
of the meeting. All comments must be
submitted in written form and should
not exceed one page. Resource
limitations preclude acknowledging or
replying to submissions.
While the meeting is open to the
public, admittance to the Department of
State building is only by means of a preclearance. For placement on the pre-
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
78327
clearance list, please submit the
following information no later than 5
p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.
(Please note that this information is not
retained by the ACICIP Executive
Secretary and must therefore be resubmitted for each ACICIP meeting):
I. State That You Are Requesting PreClearance to a Meeting
II. Provide the Following Information
1. Name of meeting and its date and
time.
2. Visitor’s full name.
3. Date of birth.
4. Citizenship.
5. Acceptable forms of identification
for entry into the U.S. Department of
State include:
• U.S. driver’s license with photo
• Passport
• U.S. government agency ID
8. ID number on the form of ID that
the visitor will show upon entry.
9. Whether the visitor has a need for
reasonable accommodation. Such
requests received after January 4,
2012, might not be possible to
fulfill.
Send the above information to Joseph
Burton by fax (202) 647–7407 or email
BurtonKJ@state.gov.
All visitors for this meeting must use
the 23rd Street entrance. The valid ID
bearing the number provided with your
pre-clearance request will be required
for admittance. Non-U.S. government
attendees must be escorted by
Department of State personnel at all
times when in the building.
Personal data is requested pursuant to
Public Law 99–399 (Omnibus
Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism
Act of 1986), as amended; Public Law
107–56 (USA PATRIOT Act); and
Executive Order 13356. The purpose of
the collection is to validate the identity
of individuals who enter Department
facilities. The data will be entered into
the Visitor Access Control System
(VACS–D) database. Please see the
Privacy Impact Assessment for VACS–D
at https://www.state.gov/documents/
organization/100305.pdf for additional
information.
For further information, please
contact Joseph Burton, Executive
Secretary of the Committee, at (202)
647–5231 or BurtonKJ@state.gov.
General information about ACICIP and
the mission of International
Communications and Information
Policy is available at: https://
www.state.gov/e/eb/adcom/acicip/
index.htm.
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78325-78327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32238]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-65931; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2011-168]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating
to Option Fee Disputes
December 9, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 \2\ thereunder, notice is hereby given
that on November 30, 2011. The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'' or
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in
Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the
NASDAQ. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on
the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC proposes to amend Rule 7056 entitled
``NASDAQ Options Fee Disputes'' to specify that the Options Regulatory
Fee is subject to Rule 7056.
The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Proposed
new text is italicized and deleted text is in brackets.
* * * * *
7056. NASDAQ Options Fee Disputes
(a) All fee disputes concerning fees which are billed by the
Exchange must be submitted to the Exchange in writing and must be
accompanied by supporting documentation.
(b) All fee disputes must be submitted no later than sixty (60)
days after receipt of a billing invoice.
(c) This Rule applies to the following NASDAQ Options Market fees:
(1) Rule 7050 ``NASDAQ Options Market--Fees''; [and]
[[Page 78326]]
(2) Rule 7053 ``NASDAQ Options Market--Access Services,'' with the
exception of the TradeInfo Fee[.]; and
(3) Rule 7059 ``NASDAQ Options Regulatory Fee.''
* * * * *
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site at https://www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
NASDAQ proposes to amend Rule 7056 entitled ``NASDAQ Options Fee
Disputes'' to list Rule 7059 entitled ``NASDAQ Options Regulatory Fee''
as a fee subject the fee dispute Rule.\3\ Currently, Rule 7056 requires
NOM Participants to submit all fee disputes to the Exchange in writing
\4\ and accompanied by supporting documentation within sixty days of
receipt of an invoice.\5\ Exchange Rule 7056 applies to the fees in
Rule 7050 entitled ``NASDAQ Options Market'' and Rule 7053 entitled
``NASDAQ Options Market--Access Services'' with the exception of the
TradeInfo Fee. The Exchange is now proposing to also apply Rule 7056 to
the Options Regulatory Fee.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Exchange recently filed a proposed rule change to adopt
an Options Regulatory Fee operative on January 3, 2012. See SR-
NASDAQ-2011-163.
\4\ The Exchange invoice specifies the Exchange contact persons
with whom to dispute the invoice.
\5\ Rule 7056 will be operative on January 3, 2012 and would
first apply to invoices related to transactional billing in January
2012 and would apply thereafter. See Securities Exchange Act Release
No. 65718 (November 9, 2011), 76 FR 71088 (November 16, 2011) (SR-
NASDAQ-2011-147).
\6\ NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx'') applies the same fee dispute
rule to its Options Regulatory Fee. See Phlx's Fee Schedule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that this practice will conserve Exchange
resources which are expended when untimely billing disputes require
staff to research applicable fees and order information beyond two
months after the transaction occurred. The Exchange believes that NOM
Participants should be aware of any billing errors within two months of
receiving an invoice. The Exchange provides NOM Participants with the
ability to sign-up to receive certain daily reports.\7\ These reports
allow NOM Participants to view trade data and fees prior to receiving a
billing invoice. In addition, NOM Participants have access to a
password protected Web site, which provides NOM Participants an
electronic copy of current and historical invoices, as well as the
supporting details for assessed charges.\8\ NOM Participants have the
ability to retrieve trade information from this Web site on a T +1
basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ These reports include, but are not limited to, daily traded
against report and daily cancel fee reports.
\8\ The Web site is MyNASDAQOMX.com. See Options Trader Alert
2011-60.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act \9\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \10\ in particular, in that it is designed to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national
market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public
interest, by providing a uniform practice for disputing fees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that it is reasonable, equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory to impose a requirement on the ORF, similar to
other fees, concerning fee disputes. The Exchange believes the
requirement that all fee disputes, for certain specified fees, must be
submitted to the Exchange within sixty days from receipt of the invoice
is reasonable because the Exchange provides ample tools to properly and
timely monitor and account for various charges incurred in a given
month.\11\ The proposal is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory
because it equally applies to all NOM Participants who have the ability
to access various reports, which include the information concerning
ORF. Phlx has a similar rule which is applicable to its ORF fees.\12\
Also, the Exchange's administrative costs would be lowered as a result
of this policy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ The Exchange provides NOM Participants with the ability to
sign-up to receive certain daily reports. These reports allow NOM
Participants to view trade data and fees prior to receiving a
billing invoice.
\12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62661 (August 6,
2010), 75 FR 49544 (August 13, 2010) (SR-Phlx-2010-110). See also
Phlx's Fee Schedule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii)
become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such
shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective
pursuant to 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \14\
thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
[[Page 78327]]
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2011-168 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2011-168. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2011-168 and should
be submitted on or before January 6, 2012.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority. \15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-32238 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P