Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Regarding Limitation of Liability, 29109-29114 [2015-12144]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices
total annual compliance burden is
estimated to be 60 hours per year based
on two respondents. The approximate
compliance cost per hour is $380,
resulting in a total internal cost of
compliance for these respondents of
$22,800 per year (60 hours @$380 per
hour).
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
under the PRA unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The public may view background
documentation for this information
collection at the following Web site:
www.reginfo.gov. Comments should be
directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10102, New Executive
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503,
or by sending an email to: Shagufta_
Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Pamela
Dyson, Director/Chief Information
Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon,
100 F Street NE., Washington, DC
20549, or by sending an email to: PRA_
Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be
submitted to OMB within 30 days of
this notice.
Dated: May 14, 2015.
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–12152 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
May 14, 2015.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on May 5,
2015, C2 Options Exchange,
Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
Items I and II below, which Items have
been prepared by the Exchange. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
23:50 May 19, 2015
Jkt 235001
The Exchange proposes to amend its
Rule 6.42 governing Exchange liability
and payments to Permit Holders 3 in
connection with certain types of losses
that Permit Holders may allege arose out
of the business conducted on or through
the Exchange or in connection with the
use of the Exchange’s facilities. The
Exchange also proposes conforming
changes to Rules 2.2 and 6.44. The text
of the proposed rule change is available
on the Exchange’s Web site (https://
www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at
the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,
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 and discussed
any comments it received on 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.
1. Purpose
Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2
Options Exchange, Incorporated;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change Regarding Limitation of
Liability
2 17
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
[Release No. 34–74964; File No. SR–C2–
2015–010]
1 15
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
C2 proposes to amend Rule 6.42 to
eliminate any implication of liability
with respect to the Exchange and its
subsidiaries or affiliates, or any of their
directors, officers, committee members,
other officials, employees, contractors,
or agents, (including the Exchange,
collectively, ‘‘Covered Persons’’) for
losses arising out of the use or
enjoyment of Exchange facilities. The
proposed rule change is consistent with
and supplements existing law, and
would ensure that self-regulatory
organizations (‘‘SROs’’) can operate
within the sphere of their regulatory
duties without fear of endless, costly
litigation and potential catastrophic
3 Permit Holders are also referred to in the
Exchange Rules and herein this rule change filing
as ‘‘Participants.’’ See e.g., the Rule 1.1 definition
of ‘‘Participant.’’
PO 00000
Frm 00181
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29109
loss.4 As discussed below, the proposed
rule change is also consistent with the
rules of other exchanges limiting
exchange liability (see, e.g., EDGA
Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGA’’) Rule 11.14
BOX Options Exchange, LLC (‘‘BOX’’)
Rule 7230, International Securities
Exchange, LLC (‘‘ISE’’) Rule 705, and
New York Stock Exchange LLC
(‘‘NYSE’’) Rule 18).
Under C2’s proposal, although the
Exchange would not be liable for losses,
it would have the discretion to
compensate Permit Holders for losses
alleged to have resulted from the
Exchange’s failure to correctly process
an order or quote due to the acts or
omissions of the Exchange or due to the
failure of its systems or facilities (each,
a ‘‘Loss Event’’), up to specified limits.
The proposed rule change would also
establish timeframes within which
Permit Holders would be required to
bring requests for compensation (and
provide supporting documentation),
provide factors the Exchange may
consider in determining whether to
provide compensation in response to
such requests, and establish that the
Exchange’s determinations on
compensation are final and not
appealable. The proposed rule change
would also provide that claims arising
under a previous version of Rule 6.42
for losses occurring more than one year
prior to July 1, 2015 (the ‘‘Effective
Date’’) would not be considered valid,
and that claims for any losses occurring
prior to the Effective Date must be
brought within one month of the
Effective Date to be considered valid.
Specific changes to Exchange Rules are
discussed below.
Proposed Amendment to Rule Title
The proposed rule change would
change the title of Rule 6.42 from
‘‘Exchange Liability’’ to ‘‘Exchange
Liability Disclaimers and Limitations.’’
The proposed amendment to the Rule
title would clarify that the Rule does not
impose liability on the Exchange, but
4 Courts have recognized the importance of
protecting exchanges from such loss in deciding
that SROs must be absolutely immune from civil
actions for losses arising out of the SRO function.
See Dexter v. Depository Trust & Clearing Corp.,
406 F. Supp. 2d 260, 263 (S.D.N.Y. 2005) (absolute
immunity possessed by SROs ‘‘is an integral part of
the American system of self-regulation’’), aff’d 219
F. App’x 91 (2d Cir. 2007). Without such protection,
an SRO’s ‘‘exercise of its quasi-governmental
functions would be unduly hampered by disruptive
and recriminatory lawsuits.’’ D’Alessio v. NYSE,
258 F.3d 93, 105 (2d Cir. 2001). It is critical that
SROs, which stand in the shoes of the SEC in
performing their quasi-governmental regulatory
function, be free from ‘‘the fear of burdensome
damage suits that would inhibit the exercise of their
independent judgment.’’ Dexter, 406 F.Supp. 2d at
263.
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
29110
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices
rather disclaims Exchange liability for
any losses that arise out of the use or
enjoyment of the facilities afforded by
the Exchange, any interruption in or
failure or unavailability of any such
facilities, or any action taken or omitted
to be taken in respect to the business of
the Exchange, the calculation or
dissemination of specified values, or
quotes or transaction reports for options
or other securities (the ‘‘General
Disclaimer’’).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Proposed Amendments to Scope of
General Disclaimer
Proposed amendments to Rule 6.42(a)
would clarify that ‘‘contractors’’ are
included within the term ‘‘Covered
Persons,’’ and are therefore included
within the General Disclaimer. This
proposed change is needed because the
Exchange at times contracts with
outside firms to provide products and
services to the Exchange for use by
Permit Holders in connection with
regulated business conducted on or
through the Exchange and that arise out
of the use or enjoyment of the facilities
afforded by the Exchange and/or the
calculation or dissemination of
specified values, or quotes or
transaction reports for options or other
securities. C2 notes that this proposed
rule change is consistent with the
exclusion from liability for contractors
found in EDGA Rule 11.14, BOX Rule
7230 and ISE Rule 705. Proposed
amendments to Rule 6.42(a) would also
clarify that ‘‘other officials’’ of the
Exchange or ‘‘any subsidiaries or
affiliates of the Exchange’’ are included
within the term ‘‘Covered Persons,’’ and
are therefore included within the
General Disclaimer. We note that this
proposed rule change to include other
officials and subsidiaries is consistent
with the existing provisions of Rule
6.44.5 The term ‘‘Covered Persons’’
would also include such subsidiaries’
and affiliates’ directors, officers,
committee members, other officials,
employees, contractors, or agents.
The proposed rule change would also
clarify that implicit in the General
5 Exchange Rule 6.44 currently limits the rights of
any Participant or any person associated with a
Participant to institute a lawsuit or other legal
proceeding against the Exchange or any director,
officer, employee, agent or contractor or other
official of the Exchange or any subsidiary of the
Exchange for any actions taken or omitted to be
taken in connection with the official business of the
Exchange or any subsidiary, except to the extent
such actions or omissions constitute violations of
the federal securities laws for which a private right
of action exist. The rule also permits appeals of
Exchange disciplinary actions as provided in
Exchange Rule. Proposed amendments to Rule 6.44
(discussed below) would clarify that this limitation
applies to committee members and affiliates of the
Exchange.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
23:50 May 19, 2015
Jkt 235001
Disclaimer is the Exchange’s disclaimer
of any warranties, express or implied,
with respect to the use or enjoyment of
facilities afforded by the Exchange,
including without limitation, of any
data provided by the Exchange. The
current language of the rule states that
the Exchange does not warrant ‘‘the use
of any data transmitted or disseminated
by or on behalf of the Exchange or any
reporting authority designated by the
Exchange, including but not limited to
reports of transactions in or quotations
for securities traded on the Exchange or
underlying securities, or reports of
interest rate measures or index values or
related data.’’ Under the proposed rule
change, the Exchange would make
explicit that the General Disclaimer is
intended to contain within it a
disclaimer of any warranties as to the
use or enjoyment of the facilities offered
by the Exchange. The proposed rule
change would thereby clarify that such
use or enjoyment of Exchange facilities
by Permit Holders is provided ‘‘as is,’’
without specific warranties of
merchantability or of fitness for a
particular purpose. For the avoidance of
doubt, the explicit list of the types of
data for which the Exchange disclaims
any warranties would also include,
without limitation, ‘‘any current or
closing index value, any current or
closing value of interest rate options, or
any report of transactions in or
quotations for options or other
securities, including underlying
securities.’’ 6
The proposed rule change would also
clarify that all limitations on liability
and disclaimers within paragraph (a) of
Rule 6.42 are in addition to, and not in
limitation of, any limitations on liability
otherwise existing under law. This
proposed rule change is intended to
ensure that the protection of Rule 6.42
does not circumscribe protections that
otherwise would exist under the
principles of law.7 This and other
limitations on liability operate
independently from, and in addition to,
both the current and proposed amended
versions of Rule 6.42 and C2’s other
rules.
Proposed Limits on Discretionary
Payments for Alleged Losses
Currently, Rule 6.42(b) provides that
whenever custody of an unexecuted
order is transmitted by a Permit Holder
6 The Exchange also proposes to replace the
phrase ‘‘facilities or services’’ with simply
‘‘facilities’’ in two locations within the existing text
of Rule 6.42(a). The Exchange believes use of the
term ‘‘services’’ is duplicative of the term
‘‘facilities’’ and is therefore unnecessary.
7 For example, as C2 is organized under Delaware
law, the principals of Delaware law also apply.
PO 00000
Frm 00182
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
to or through the Exchange’s System or
to any other automated facility of the
Exchange whereby the Exchange
assumes responsibility for the
transmission or execution of the order,
and provided that the Exchange has
acknowledged receipt of such order, the
Exchange’s liability for the negligent
acts or omissions of its employees or for
the failure of its systems or facilities
shall not exceed certain limits set forth
in Rule 6.42(b). The Exchange first
proposes to provide that Rule 6.42(b)
applies to quotes as well as unexecuted
orders. Additionally, the Exchange
proposes to eliminate the word
‘‘automated’’ from ‘‘automated facility
of the Exchange’’, as not all facilities of
the Exchange may be considered
automated and the Exchange did not
intend to restrict the scope of rule as
such. The Exchange also seeks to amend
Rule 6.42(b) to explicitly provide that,
although the Exchange would not be
liable with respect to regulated
Exchange business for losses that arise
out of the use or enjoyment of the
facilities afforded by the Exchange and/
or the calculation or dissemination of
specified values, or quotes or
transaction reports for options or other
securities, as provided in Rule 6.42(a),8
8 Specifically, Rule 6.42(a), as proposed to be
amended, would provide as follows:
Neither the Exchange nor any of its directors,
officers, committee members, other officials,
employees, contractors, or agents, nor any
subsidiaries or affiliates of the Exchange or any of
their directors, officers, committee members, other
officials, employees, contractors, or agents
(‘‘Covered Persons’’) shall be liable to Participants
or to persons associated therewith for any loss,
expense, damages or claims that arise out of the use
or enjoyment of the facilities afforded by the
Exchange, any interruption in or failure or
unavailability of any such facilities, or any action
taken or omitted to be taken in respect to the
business of the Exchange except to the extent such
loss, expense, damages or claims are attributable to
the willful misconduct, gross negligence, bad faith
or fraudulent or criminal acts of the Exchange or its
officers, employees or agents acting within the
scope of their authority. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, and subject to the same
exception, no Covered Person shall have any
liability to any person or entity for any loss,
expense, damages or claims that result from any
error, omission or delay in calculating or
disseminating any current or closing index value,
any current or closing value of interest rate options,
or any reports of transactions in or quotations for
options or other securities, including underlying
securities. The Exchange makes no warranty,
express or implied, as to results to be obtained by
any person or entity from the use or enjoyment of
the facilities afforded by the Exchange, including
without limitation, of any data transmitted or
disseminated by or on behalf of the Exchange or any
reporting authority designated by the Exchange,
including but not limited to any data described in
the preceding sentence, and the Exchange makes no
express or implied warranties of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect
to any such data. The foregoing limitations of
liability and disclaimers shall be in addition to, and
not in limitation of, the provisions of Article Eighth
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the Exchange may make discretionary
payments to Permit Holders for certain
losses alleged to have occurred due to
Loss Events. Specifically, the proposed
rule change would permit the Exchange
to make discretionary payments to
Permit Holders for their losses alleged to
have resulted from Loss Events up to the
following limits. As to any one or more
requests for compensation made by a
single Permit Holder that arose out of
one or more Loss Events occurring on a
single trading day, the Exchange could
compensate the Permit Holder up to but
not exceeding the larger of $100,000 or
the amount of any recovery obtained by
the Exchange under applicable
insurance maintained by the Exchange.
As to the aggregate of all requests for
compensation made by all Permit
Holders that arose out of one or more
Loss Events occurring: (i) On a single
trading day, the Exchange could
compensate the Permit Holders, in the
aggregate, up to but not exceeding the
larger of $250,000 or the amount of
recovery obtained by the Exchange
under any applicable insurance policy;
and (ii) during a single calendar month,
the Exchange could compensate the
Permit Holders, in the aggregate, up to
but not exceeding the larger of $500,000
or the amount of the recovery obtained
by the Exchange under any applicable
insurance maintained by the Exchange.
The proposed rule change would also
state that no request for compensation
by a Permit Holder may be in an amount
less than $100. Losses incurred on the
same trading day and arising out of the
same underlying act or omission of the
Exchange or failure of the Exchange’s
systems or facilities may be aggregated
to meet the $100 minimum.9 This is
intended as a de minimis threshold to
avoid requiring the Exchange to devote
the resources to considering relatively
small requests for payment. The
proposed rule change also would state
that nothing in Rule 6.42 would obligate
the Exchange to seek recovery under
any applicable insurance policy. The
proposed changes to Rule 6.42(b) would
therefore, consistent with Rule 6.42(a),
permit the Exchange to make
of the Exchange’s Certificate of Incorporation or any
limitations otherwise available under law.
9 For example, if a Permit Holder incurs a loss of
$30 on one day due to a certain glitch in the
Exchange’s systems and a loss of $75 on the same
day due to a separate unrelated glitch in the
Exchange’s systems, the Permit Holder could not
request compensation for either loss. However, if
for example, the Permit Holder incurs a loss of $105
on one day due to a certain glitch in the Exchange’s
system, the Permit Holder may request
compensation. In this second example, the Permit
Holder may request compensation even if such
losses were incurred over a number of different
transactions so long as it was the result of the same
systems issue.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
23:50 May 19, 2015
Jkt 235001
discretionary payments to Permit
Holders to compensate them for such
losses, up to specified limits, even
though the Exchange would not be
legally liable to pay for such losses.
Timeframes Within Which To Notify
Exchange and Submit Requests
Proposed new Rule 6.42(c) would
establish timeframes within which a
valid request for compensation must be
brought under the Rule. Under the
proposed rule change, notice of all
requests would be required to be in
writing and to be submitted to the
Exchange no later than 12:00 p.m.
Central Time on the next business day
following the Loss Event giving rise to
such request. All requests would be
required to be in writing and to be
submitted, along with supporting
documentation, by 5:00 p.m. Central
Time on the third business day
following the Loss Event giving rise to
each such request.10 Additional
information related to the request as
demanded by the Exchange is also
required to be provided. The proposed
rule change would also specify that the
Exchange would not consider requests
for which timely notice and submission
had not been provided as required
under amended Rule 6.42(c).
The proposed provisions of new Rule
6.42(c) would benefit Permit Holders by
providing them with clear timeframes
within which to submit notices of
requests, requests for compensation, and
supporting documentation. The
proposed changes would also provide
the Exchange with certainty as to the
deadlines by which notices of requests
and completed requests would be
required to be submitted in order for the
Exchange to consider them for
compensation under Rule 6.42.
Exchange Treatment of Aggregate
Requests Exceeding Maximum Amount
Permitted To Be Paid
Currently, Rule 6.42(c) provides that
if all of the claims cannot be fully
satisfied because in the aggregate they
exceed the applicable maximum amount
of liability provided in paragraph (b) [of
Rule 6.42] [sic], then such maximum
amount would be allocated among all
10 Other exchanges have similar submission
requirements. See, e.g., NYSE Rule 18—
Compensation in Relation to Exchange System
Failure, which provides in relevant part that NYSE
members provide oral notice to NYSE’s Division of
Floor Operations by the market opening on the next
business day following the system failure and
written notice by the end of the third business day
following the system failure (T+3). See also, ISE
Rule 705(d)(3)—Limitation of Liability, which
provides that all claims for compensation must be
made in writing and submitted no later than the
opening of trading on the next business day
following the event that gave rise to such claim.
PO 00000
Frm 00183
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29111
such claims arising on a single trading
day or during a single calendar month,
as applicable, written notice of which
has been given to the Exchange no later
than the opening of trading on the next
business day following the day on
which the use or enjoyment of Exchange
facilities giving rise to the claim
occurred, based upon the proportion
that each claim bears to the sum of all
such claims. The Exchange proposes to
amend existing Rule 6.42(c), which
would be renumbered to Rule 6.42(d), to
state that, ‘‘if all of the timely requests
submitted pursuant to paragraph (c) [of
Rule 6.42] that are granted cannot be
fully satisfied because in the aggregate
they exceed the applicable maximum
amount of payments authorized in
paragraph (b) [of Rule 6.42], then such
maximum amount shall be allocated
among all such requests arising on a
single trading day or during a single
calendar month, as applicable, based
upon the proportion that each such
request bears to the sum of all such
requests.’’ The Exchange notes that it is
proposing to replace the term ‘‘claim’’
with the term ‘‘request’’, as well as
replace the reference to ‘‘liability’’ with
‘‘payments authorized’’ to eliminate any
implication of liability with respect to
the Exchange and other Covered Person
resulting from the use or enjoyment of
the facilities offered by the Exchange,
any interruption in or failure or
unavailability or any such facilities, or
any action taken or omitted to be taken
in respect of the business of the
Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange notes that
proposed Rule 6.42(d) would continue
to provide a fair way of allocating the
limited payment that the rule would
permit the Exchange to make when the
total amount of eligible requests exceed
that maximum amount. The proposal
would also revise the timeframe in
which requests for payment must be
made by a Permit Holder.
Exchange Review of Timely Requests
Proposed new Rule 6.42(e) would
provide that the Exchange, in
determining whether to make payment
in response to a request for
compensation, may determine whether
the amount requested should be
reduced based on the actions or
inactions of the requesting Permit
Holder. The proposed rule change
would permit the Exchange to consider,
without limitation, whether the actions
or inactions of the Permit Holder
contributed to the Loss Event; whether
the Permit Holder made appropriate
efforts to mitigate its loss; whether the
Permit Holder realized any gains as a
result of a Loss Event; whether the
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
29112
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices
losses of the Permit Holder, if any, were
offset by hedges of positions either on
the Exchange or on another affiliated or
unaffiliated market; and whether the
Permit Holder provided sufficient
information to document the request
and as demanded by the Exchange.
Proposed Rule 6.42(e) would therefore
provide reasonable factors that the
Exchange may consider in determining
whether to pay compensation in
response to a request and in
determining the amount of any such
compensation.11
The Exchange represents that the
determination to compensate a Permit
Holder will be made on an equitable
and non-discriminatory basis and
without regard to the Exchange capacity
of the Permit Holder, such as whether
the Permit Holder is a Designated
Primary Market-Maker. Additionally,
the Exchange represents that the
Exchange will maintain a record of
Permit Holder requests including
documentation detailing the Exchange’s
findings and details for approving or
denying requests in accordance with its
obligations under Section 17 of the Act.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Finality of Exchange Determinations
Under Rule
Proposed new Rule 6.42(f) would
provide that all determinations by the
Exchange pursuant to Rule 6.42 shall be
final and not subject to appeal under
Chapter XIX of the Exchange Rules.12
The proposed rule would also provide
that nothing in Rule 6.42, nor any
payment made pursuant to Rule 6.42,
shall in any way limit, waive, or
proscribe any defenses a Covered Person
may have to any claim, demand,
liability, action or cause of action,
whether such defense arises in law or
equity, or whether such defense is
asserted in a judicial, administrative, or
other proceeding.13 These proposed
11 Another exchange considered similar factors in
determining whether to pay compensation and in
determining the amount of any such compensation.
See, NYSE Rule 18, which provides in relevant part
that the NYSE Compensation Review Panel in its
review will determine whether the amount should
be reduced based on the actions or inactions of the
member organization, including whether the
member organization made appropriate efforts to
mitigate its loss.
12 The Exchange notes that another exchange has
a similar provision indicating that all
determinations are final. See, NYSE Rule 18, which
provides in relevant part that all determinations
made pursuant to NYSE Rule 18 by NYSE’s
Compensation Review Panel, CEO or his or her
designee are final.
13 Another exchange has a similar provision. See
e.g., NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) Rule
4626(b)(6), which provides that nothing in its
Limitation of Liability rule shall waive Nasdaq’s
limitations on, or immunities from, liability as set
forth in its Rules or agreements, or that otherwise
apply as a matter of law.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
23:50 May 19, 2015
Jkt 235001
changes are consistent with the
discretionary nature of any payments
that would be made under proposed
Rule 6.42(b).
Treatment of Losses Occurring Prior to
Effective Date of Rule
Proposed new paragraph 6.42(g)
would establish July 1, 2105, as the
Effective Date of revised Rule 6.42.
Under proposed paragraph 6.42(g),
claims for liability under prior versions
of Rule 6.42 would not be considered
valid if brought with respect to any acts,
omissions or transactions occurring
more than one year prior to the Effective
Date, or if brought more than one month
after the Effective Date. Proposed Rule
6.42(g) would thereby provide certainty
to the Exchange as to any expense it
might incur due to losses arising due to
Loss Events that occurred prior to the
Effective Date of the proposed rule
change, while also putting Permit
Holders on notice that they must file
any claims for such losses by a date
certain.
Deletion of Existing Interpretation
Under Rule 6.42
The proposed rule change would
delete existing interpretation .01 under
Rule 6.42. Interpretation .01 disclaims
The Options Clearing Corporation
liability to Permit Holders and their
associated persons with respect to their
use, non-use or inability to use the
linkage that was part of the old Options
Intermarket Linkage Plan (the ‘‘Old
Linkage’’). Because the Old Linkage is
no longer operable, interpretation .01 is
no longer necessary.14
Conforming Changes to Other Rules
The proposed rule change would
make conforming changes to Exchange
Rules 2.2 and 6.44. Rule 2.2 requires a
Permit Holder who fails to prevail in
lawsuit or other legal proceeding
instituted against the Exchange or
certain related parties to pay for the
Exchange’s reasonable costs of
defending such lawsuit or proceeding if
those costs exceed $50,000. Rule 6.44
limits the legal proceedings a Permit
Holder may bring against the Exchange
and certain related persons for actions
or omissions.
Under the proposed amendments to
Rule 2.2, contractors would be included
within the list of related parties
protected by that rule, just as they
would be included as Covered Persons
under proposed Rule 6.42. As stated
14 The old Options Intermarket Linkage Plan was
replaced by the Options Order Protection and
Locked/Crossed Markets Plan in 2009. See
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60405 (July 30,
2009), 74 FR 39362 (August 6, 2009).
PO 00000
Frm 00184
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
above, this proposed change is
necessary because the Exchange at times
contracts with outside firms to provide
products or services to Permit Holders
in connection with regulated business
conducted on or through the Exchange
and that arise out of the use or
enjoyment of the facilities afforded by
the Exchange and/or the calculation or
dissemination of specified values, or
quotes or transaction reports for options
or other securities.
In addition, under the proposed
amendments to Rule 2.2, other officials
and contractors of the Exchange and any
subsidiaries and affiliates of the
Exchange and any such subsidiaries’
and affiliates’ directors, officers,
committee members, other officials,
employees, contractors, or agents would
be explicitly identified/included within
the list of related parties protected by
the rule,15 just as they are proposed to
be specifically identified/included
within the list of Covered Persons under
Rule 6.42. Committee members and
affiliates of the Exchange and any
subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ directors,
officers, committee members, other
officials, employees, contractors and
agents would also be explicitly
identified/included within the list of
related parties under Rule 6.44.16 These
changes are intended to conform the
text of the three rules and to include
affiliates within all three rules.17
Moreover, under the proposed
amendments to Rule 6.44, committee
members would be explicitly identified/
included within the list of related
parties protected by the rule, just as they
are already specifically identified/
included within the list of Covered
15 Specifically, the phrase ‘‘the Exchange or any
of its directors, officers, committee members,
employees or agents’’ is proposed to be replaced
with the phrase ‘‘the Exchange or any of its
directors, officers, committee members, other
officials, employees, contractors, or agents, or any
subsidiaries or affiliates of the Exchange or any of
their directors, officers, committee members, other
officials, employees, contractors, or agents’’ in Rule
2.2.
16 Specifically, the phrase ‘‘the Exchange or any
director, officer, employee, contractor, agent or
other official of the Exchange or any subsidiary of
the Exchange’’ is proposed to be replaced with the
phrase ‘‘the Exchange or any of its directors,
officers, committee members, other officials,
employees, contractors, or agents, or any
subsidiaries or affiliates of the Exchange or any of
their directors, officers, committee members, other
officials, employees, contractors, or agents’’ in Rule
6.44.
17 The Commission notes C2’s statement of the
purpose of its proposed rule change is to eliminate
any implication of liability for losses arising out of
the use or enjoyment of Exchange facilities
consistent with existing law where courts have
recognized the importance of protecting exchanges
from liability in the context of matters arising out
of the SRO function. See supra note 4 and
accompanying text.
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Persons under existing Rule 6.42 and
the similar provision in Rule 2.2. This
change is intended to conform the rule
text of the three rules. Finally, under the
proposed amendments to Rule 6.44, the
title to the rule will be revised.18
2. Statutory Basis
The proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 6(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 19 in general and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 20
in particular, which requires that the
rules of an exchange be designed to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to remove impediments to and to
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest. In
particular, the proposal would amend
Exchange Rule 6.42 to eliminate any
implication of liability with respect to
the Exchange and other Covered Person
resulting from the use or enjoyment of
the facilities offered by the Exchange,
any interruption in or failure or
unavailability or any such facilities, or
any action taken or omitted to be taken
in respect of the business of the
Exchange. The proposed rule change is
consistent with and supplements
existing law, and would assist the
Exchange in fulfilling its role as a
national securities exchange by avoiding
the risk of tempering this critical
regulatory function to avoid the
disruption and expense of unnecessary
litigation or potential catastrophic loss.
The proposal would also permit the
Exchange to compensate Permit Holders
for their losses incurred due to a Loss
Event, even though the Exchange would
not have legal liability for those losses.
The proposed rule change would
therefore facilitate the ability of the
Exchange to make discretionary
payments to redress a situation in which
Permit Holders suffer losses due to a
Loss Event. As stated above, the
Exchange represents that the
determination to compensate a Permit
Holder will be made on an equitable
and non-discriminatory basis without
regard to the Exchange capacity of the
Permit Holder, such as whether the
Permit Holder is a Designated Primary
Market-Maker. The Exchange therefore
believes the proposed rule change is
consistent with the Act, and Section
6(b)(5) of the Act in particular, in that
18 Specifically,
the title ‘‘Legal Proceedings
Against the Exchange and its Directors, Officers,
Employees, Contractors or Agents’’ is proposed to
be changed to simply ‘‘Legal Proceedings Against
the Exchange.’’
19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
20 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
23:50 May 19, 2015
Jkt 235001
it is designed to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and to perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
The Exchange also believes these
policies would promote fairness in the
national market system. The proposed
rule change would allow C2 to address
Permit Holder requests for
compensation under various
circumstances and would allow C2 to
act in a fashion similar to many of its
competitors. As stated above, several
exchanges have substantially similar
rules to those proposed here, and the
Exchange believes that the proposed
rule change would place C2 in a similar
position to address Permit Holder
requests.21 The Exchange believes that
to the extent there are any differences,
such differences are not substantive and
are still consistent with the scope of
prior self-regulatory organization
rulemaking.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange believes that this
proposed rule change does not impose
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. As stated
above, the Exchange believes that these
policies would promote fairness in the
national market system. The proposed
rule change would allow C2 to address
Permit Holder requests for
compensation under various
circumstances and would allow C2 to
act in a fashion similar to many of its
competitors. In addition, as stated
above, several exchanges have
substantially similar rules to those
proposed here, except as otherwise
noted, and the Exchange believes that
the proposed rule change would place
C2 in a similar position to address
Permit Holder requests.22
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
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
21 See BOX Rule 7230 and EDGA Rule 11.14; see
also Nasdaq Rule 4626, ISE Rule 705, and BATS
Exchange, Inc. Rule 11.16.
22 Id.
PO 00000
Frm 00185
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29113
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative for 30 days from the date on
which it was filed, or such shorter time
as the Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 23 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) 24 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 will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change 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:
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–
C2–2015–010 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–C2–2015–010. 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
23 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
Commission with written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description and the text of 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.
24 17
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
29114
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices
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
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 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–C2–
2015–010, and should be submitted on
or before June 10, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.25
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–12144 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–74957; File No. SR–BOX–
2015–17]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX
Options Exchange, LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
a Proposed Rule Change To Amend
the Fee Schedule on the BOX Market,
LLC Options Facility
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
May 13, 2015.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on April 30,
2015, BOX Options Exchange LLC (the
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and
III below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. The
Exchange filed the proposed rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the
Act,3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) thereunder,4
which renders the proposal effective
upon filing with the Commission. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
25 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
1 15
VerDate Sep<11>2014
23:50 May 19, 2015
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of the Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change
to amend the Fee Schedule on the BOX
Market LLC (‘‘BOX’’) options facility.
While changes to the fee schedule
pursuant to this proposal will be
effective upon filing, the changes will
become operative on May 1, 2015. The
text of the proposed rule change is
available from the principal office of the
Exchange, at the Commission’s Public
Reference Room and also on the
Exchange’s Internet Web site at https://
boxexchange.com.
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 and discussed
any comments it received on 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
The Exchange proposes to make a
number of changes to Section I of the
BOX Fee Schedule (Exchange Fees).
Non-Auction Transactions
First, the Exchange proposes to
amend certain fees and credits in the
pricing model outlined in Section I.A.
(Non-Auction Transactions).5 In this
section, fees and credits are assessed
depending on upon three factors: (i) The
account type of the Participant
submitting the order; (ii) whether the
Participant is a liquidity provider or
liquidity taker; and (iii) the account type
of the contra party. Non-Auction
Transactions in Penny Pilot Classes are
assessed different fees or credits than
Non-Auction Transactions in NonPenny Pilot Classes. The Exchange
5 Non-Auction Transactions are those transactions
executed on the BOX Book.
Jkt 235001
PO 00000
Frm 00186
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
recently adopted this pricing model 6
and now proposes to amend certain fees
and credits in this section.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
lower the Maker and Taker credits for
Public Customers interacting with
Professional Customers/Broker Dealers
or Market Makers in both Penny Pilot
and Non-Penny Pilot Classes. Here, the
Exchange proposes to lower the credit
Public Customers receive when
interacting with Professional Customers,
Broker Dealers or Market Makers,
regardless of whether they are adding or
removing liquidity to $0.10 from $0.22
(Penny Pilot Classes) and to $0.45 from
$0.57 (Non-Penny Pilot Classes).
The Exchange also proposes to raise
the Maker and Taker fees for
Professional Customers or Broker
Dealers in both Penny Pilot and NonPenny Pilot Classes. Specifically, when
a Professional Customer or Broker
Dealer interacts with a Public Customer
in a Penny Pilot Class, the Exchange
proposes to raise this fee to $0.60 from
$0.55 (making liquidity) and to $0.64
from $0.59 (taking liquidity). For NonPenny Pilot Classes the Exchange
proposes to raise the fees in this same
type of interaction to $0.95 from $0.90
(making liquidity) and to $0.99 from
$0.94 (taking liquidity). For when a
Professional Customer or Broker Dealer
interacts with another Professional
Customer or Broker Dealer in Penny
Pilot Classes, the Exchange proposes to
raise these fees to $0.25 from $0.20
(making liquidity) and to $0.40 from
$0.35 (taking liquidity). For Non-Penny
Pilot Classes the Exchange proposes to
raise the fees in this same type of
interaction to $0.35 from $0.30 (making
liquidity) and to $0.40 from $0.35
(taking liquidity). For when a
Professional Customer or Broker Dealer
interacts with a Market Maker in Penny
Pilot Classes, the Exchange proposes to
raise these fees to $0.25 from $0.20
(making liquidity) and to $0.44 from
$0.39 (taking liquidity). For Non-Penny
Pilot Classes the Exchange proposes to
raise the fees in this same type of
interaction to $0.35 from $0.30 (making
liquidity) and $0.44 from $0.39 (taking
liquidity).
Finally, the Exchange proposes to
lower fees to $0.00 from $0.10 for
Market Makers interacting with other
Market Makers in both Penny Pilot
Classes and Non-Penny Pilot Classes.
These transactions will remain
exempt from the Liquidity Fees and
Credits outlined in Section II of the BOX
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73547
(November 6, 2014), 79 FR 67520 (November 13,
2014)(Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of SR–BOX–2014–25).
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29109-29114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12144]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-74964; File No. SR-C2-2015-010]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change
Regarding Limitation of Liability
May 14, 2015.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on May 5, 2015, C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (the
``Exchange'' or ``C2'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described
in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the
Exchange. 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 Exchange proposes to amend its Rule 6.42 governing Exchange
liability and payments to Permit Holders \3\ in connection with certain
types of losses that Permit Holders may allege arose out of the
business conducted on or through the Exchange or in connection with the
use of the Exchange's facilities. The Exchange also proposes conforming
changes to Rules 2.2 and 6.44. The text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange's Web site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Permit Holders are also referred to in the Exchange Rules
and herein this rule change filing as ``Participants.'' See e.g.,
the Rule 1.1 definition of ``Participant.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and
discussed any comments it received on 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
C2 proposes to amend Rule 6.42 to eliminate any implication of
liability with respect to the Exchange and its subsidiaries or
affiliates, or any of their directors, officers, committee members,
other officials, employees, contractors, or agents, (including the
Exchange, collectively, ``Covered Persons'') for losses arising out of
the use or enjoyment of Exchange facilities. The proposed rule change
is consistent with and supplements existing law, and would ensure that
self-regulatory organizations (``SROs'') can operate within the sphere
of their regulatory duties without fear of endless, costly litigation
and potential catastrophic loss.\4\ As discussed below, the proposed
rule change is also consistent with the rules of other exchanges
limiting exchange liability (see, e.g., EDGA Exchange, Inc. (``EDGA'')
Rule 11.14 BOX Options Exchange, LLC (``BOX'') Rule 7230, International
Securities Exchange, LLC (``ISE'') Rule 705, and New York Stock
Exchange LLC (``NYSE'') Rule 18).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Courts have recognized the importance of protecting
exchanges from such loss in deciding that SROs must be absolutely
immune from civil actions for losses arising out of the SRO
function. See Dexter v. Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., 406 F.
Supp. 2d 260, 263 (S.D.N.Y. 2005) (absolute immunity possessed by
SROs ``is an integral part of the American system of self-
regulation''), aff'd 219 F. App'x 91 (2d Cir. 2007). Without such
protection, an SRO's ``exercise of its quasi-governmental functions
would be unduly hampered by disruptive and recriminatory lawsuits.''
D'Alessio v. NYSE, 258 F.3d 93, 105 (2d Cir. 2001). It is critical
that SROs, which stand in the shoes of the SEC in performing their
quasi-governmental regulatory function, be free from ``the fear of
burdensome damage suits that would inhibit the exercise of their
independent judgment.'' Dexter, 406 F.Supp. 2d at 263.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under C2's proposal, although the Exchange would not be liable for
losses, it would have the discretion to compensate Permit Holders for
losses alleged to have resulted from the Exchange's failure to
correctly process an order or quote due to the acts or omissions of the
Exchange or due to the failure of its systems or facilities (each, a
``Loss Event''), up to specified limits. The proposed rule change would
also establish timeframes within which Permit Holders would be required
to bring requests for compensation (and provide supporting
documentation), provide factors the Exchange may consider in
determining whether to provide compensation in response to such
requests, and establish that the Exchange's determinations on
compensation are final and not appealable. The proposed rule change
would also provide that claims arising under a previous version of Rule
6.42 for losses occurring more than one year prior to July 1, 2015 (the
``Effective Date'') would not be considered valid, and that claims for
any losses occurring prior to the Effective Date must be brought within
one month of the Effective Date to be considered valid. Specific
changes to Exchange Rules are discussed below.
Proposed Amendment to Rule Title
The proposed rule change would change the title of Rule 6.42 from
``Exchange Liability'' to ``Exchange Liability Disclaimers and
Limitations.'' The proposed amendment to the Rule title would clarify
that the Rule does not impose liability on the Exchange, but
[[Page 29110]]
rather disclaims Exchange liability for any losses that arise out of
the use or enjoyment of the facilities afforded by the Exchange, any
interruption in or failure or unavailability of any such facilities, or
any action taken or omitted to be taken in respect to the business of
the Exchange, the calculation or dissemination of specified values, or
quotes or transaction reports for options or other securities (the
``General Disclaimer'').
Proposed Amendments to Scope of General Disclaimer
Proposed amendments to Rule 6.42(a) would clarify that
``contractors'' are included within the term ``Covered Persons,'' and
are therefore included within the General Disclaimer. This proposed
change is needed because the Exchange at times contracts with outside
firms to provide products and services to the Exchange for use by
Permit Holders in connection with regulated business conducted on or
through the Exchange and that arise out of the use or enjoyment of the
facilities afforded by the Exchange and/or the calculation or
dissemination of specified values, or quotes or transaction reports for
options or other securities. C2 notes that this proposed rule change is
consistent with the exclusion from liability for contractors found in
EDGA Rule 11.14, BOX Rule 7230 and ISE Rule 705. Proposed amendments to
Rule 6.42(a) would also clarify that ``other officials'' of the
Exchange or ``any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Exchange'' are
included within the term ``Covered Persons,'' and are therefore
included within the General Disclaimer. We note that this proposed rule
change to include other officials and subsidiaries is consistent with
the existing provisions of Rule 6.44.\5\ The term ``Covered Persons''
would also include such subsidiaries' and affiliates' directors,
officers, committee members, other officials, employees, contractors,
or agents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Exchange Rule 6.44 currently limits the rights of any
Participant or any person associated with a Participant to institute
a lawsuit or other legal proceeding against the Exchange or any
director, officer, employee, agent or contractor or other official
of the Exchange or any subsidiary of the Exchange for any actions
taken or omitted to be taken in connection with the official
business of the Exchange or any subsidiary, except to the extent
such actions or omissions constitute violations of the federal
securities laws for which a private right of action exist. The rule
also permits appeals of Exchange disciplinary actions as provided in
Exchange Rule. Proposed amendments to Rule 6.44 (discussed below)
would clarify that this limitation applies to committee members and
affiliates of the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed rule change would also clarify that implicit in the
General Disclaimer is the Exchange's disclaimer of any warranties,
express or implied, with respect to the use or enjoyment of facilities
afforded by the Exchange, including without limitation, of any data
provided by the Exchange. The current language of the rule states that
the Exchange does not warrant ``the use of any data transmitted or
disseminated by or on behalf of the Exchange or any reporting authority
designated by the Exchange, including but not limited to reports of
transactions in or quotations for securities traded on the Exchange or
underlying securities, or reports of interest rate measures or index
values or related data.'' Under the proposed rule change, the Exchange
would make explicit that the General Disclaimer is intended to contain
within it a disclaimer of any warranties as to the use or enjoyment of
the facilities offered by the Exchange. The proposed rule change would
thereby clarify that such use or enjoyment of Exchange facilities by
Permit Holders is provided ``as is,'' without specific warranties of
merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. For the
avoidance of doubt, the explicit list of the types of data for which
the Exchange disclaims any warranties would also include, without
limitation, ``any current or closing index value, any current or
closing value of interest rate options, or any report of transactions
in or quotations for options or other securities, including underlying
securities.'' \6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ The Exchange also proposes to replace the phrase
``facilities or services'' with simply ``facilities'' in two
locations within the existing text of Rule 6.42(a). The Exchange
believes use of the term ``services'' is duplicative of the term
``facilities'' and is therefore unnecessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed rule change would also clarify that all limitations on
liability and disclaimers within paragraph (a) of Rule 6.42 are in
addition to, and not in limitation of, any limitations on liability
otherwise existing under law. This proposed rule change is intended to
ensure that the protection of Rule 6.42 does not circumscribe
protections that otherwise would exist under the principles of law.\7\
This and other limitations on liability operate independently from, and
in addition to, both the current and proposed amended versions of Rule
6.42 and C2's other rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ For example, as C2 is organized under Delaware law, the
principals of Delaware law also apply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Limits on Discretionary Payments for Alleged Losses
Currently, Rule 6.42(b) provides that whenever custody of an
unexecuted order is transmitted by a Permit Holder to or through the
Exchange's System or to any other automated facility of the Exchange
whereby the Exchange assumes responsibility for the transmission or
execution of the order, and provided that the Exchange has acknowledged
receipt of such order, the Exchange's liability for the negligent acts
or omissions of its employees or for the failure of its systems or
facilities shall not exceed certain limits set forth in Rule 6.42(b).
The Exchange first proposes to provide that Rule 6.42(b) applies to
quotes as well as unexecuted orders. Additionally, the Exchange
proposes to eliminate the word ``automated'' from ``automated facility
of the Exchange'', as not all facilities of the Exchange may be
considered automated and the Exchange did not intend to restrict the
scope of rule as such. The Exchange also seeks to amend Rule 6.42(b) to
explicitly provide that, although the Exchange would not be liable with
respect to regulated Exchange business for losses that arise out of the
use or enjoyment of the facilities afforded by the Exchange and/or the
calculation or dissemination of specified values, or quotes or
transaction reports for options or other securities, as provided in
Rule 6.42(a),\8\
[[Page 29111]]
the Exchange may make discretionary payments to Permit Holders for
certain losses alleged to have occurred due to Loss Events.
Specifically, the proposed rule change would permit the Exchange to
make discretionary payments to Permit Holders for their losses alleged
to have resulted from Loss Events up to the following limits. As to any
one or more requests for compensation made by a single Permit Holder
that arose out of one or more Loss Events occurring on a single trading
day, the Exchange could compensate the Permit Holder up to but not
exceeding the larger of $100,000 or the amount of any recovery obtained
by the Exchange under applicable insurance maintained by the Exchange.
As to the aggregate of all requests for compensation made by all Permit
Holders that arose out of one or more Loss Events occurring: (i) On a
single trading day, the Exchange could compensate the Permit Holders,
in the aggregate, up to but not exceeding the larger of $250,000 or the
amount of recovery obtained by the Exchange under any applicable
insurance policy; and (ii) during a single calendar month, the Exchange
could compensate the Permit Holders, in the aggregate, up to but not
exceeding the larger of $500,000 or the amount of the recovery obtained
by the Exchange under any applicable insurance maintained by the
Exchange. The proposed rule change would also state that no request for
compensation by a Permit Holder may be in an amount less than $100.
Losses incurred on the same trading day and arising out of the same
underlying act or omission of the Exchange or failure of the Exchange's
systems or facilities may be aggregated to meet the $100 minimum.\9\
This is intended as a de minimis threshold to avoid requiring the
Exchange to devote the resources to considering relatively small
requests for payment. The proposed rule change also would state that
nothing in Rule 6.42 would obligate the Exchange to seek recovery under
any applicable insurance policy. The proposed changes to Rule 6.42(b)
would therefore, consistent with Rule 6.42(a), permit the Exchange to
make discretionary payments to Permit Holders to compensate them for
such losses, up to specified limits, even though the Exchange would not
be legally liable to pay for such losses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Specifically, Rule 6.42(a), as proposed to be amended, would
provide as follows:
Neither the Exchange nor any of its directors, officers,
committee members, other officials, employees, contractors, or
agents, nor any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Exchange or any of
their directors, officers, committee members, other officials,
employees, contractors, or agents (``Covered Persons'') shall be
liable to Participants or to persons associated therewith for any
loss, expense, damages or claims that arise out of the use or
enjoyment of the facilities afforded by the Exchange, any
interruption in or failure or unavailability of any such facilities,
or any action taken or omitted to be taken in respect to the
business of the Exchange except to the extent such loss, expense,
damages or claims are attributable to the willful misconduct, gross
negligence, bad faith or fraudulent or criminal acts of the Exchange
or its officers, employees or agents acting within the scope of
their authority. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
and subject to the same exception, no Covered Person shall have any
liability to any person or entity for any loss, expense, damages or
claims that result from any error, omission or delay in calculating
or disseminating any current or closing index value, any current or
closing value of interest rate options, or any reports of
transactions in or quotations for options or other securities,
including underlying securities. The Exchange makes no warranty,
express or implied, as to results to be obtained by any person or
entity from the use or enjoyment of the facilities afforded by the
Exchange, including without limitation, of any data transmitted or
disseminated by or on behalf of the Exchange or any reporting
authority designated by the Exchange, including but not limited to
any data described in the preceding sentence, and the Exchange makes
no express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose or use with respect to any such data. The
foregoing limitations of liability and disclaimers shall be in
addition to, and not in limitation of, the provisions of Article
Eighth of the Exchange's Certificate of Incorporation or any
limitations otherwise available under law.
\9\ For example, if a Permit Holder incurs a loss of $30 on one
day due to a certain glitch in the Exchange's systems and a loss of
$75 on the same day due to a separate unrelated glitch in the
Exchange's systems, the Permit Holder could not request compensation
for either loss. However, if for example, the Permit Holder incurs a
loss of $105 on one day due to a certain glitch in the Exchange's
system, the Permit Holder may request compensation. In this second
example, the Permit Holder may request compensation even if such
losses were incurred over a number of different transactions so long
as it was the result of the same systems issue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timeframes Within Which To Notify Exchange and Submit Requests
Proposed new Rule 6.42(c) would establish timeframes within which a
valid request for compensation must be brought under the Rule. Under
the proposed rule change, notice of all requests would be required to
be in writing and to be submitted to the Exchange no later than 12:00
p.m. Central Time on the next business day following the Loss Event
giving rise to such request. All requests would be required to be in
writing and to be submitted, along with supporting documentation, by
5:00 p.m. Central Time on the third business day following the Loss
Event giving rise to each such request.\10\ Additional information
related to the request as demanded by the Exchange is also required to
be provided. The proposed rule change would also specify that the
Exchange would not consider requests for which timely notice and
submission had not been provided as required under amended Rule
6.42(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ Other exchanges have similar submission requirements. See,
e.g., NYSE Rule 18--Compensation in Relation to Exchange System
Failure, which provides in relevant part that NYSE members provide
oral notice to NYSE's Division of Floor Operations by the market
opening on the next business day following the system failure and
written notice by the end of the third business day following the
system failure (T+3). See also, ISE Rule 705(d)(3)--Limitation of
Liability, which provides that all claims for compensation must be
made in writing and submitted no later than the opening of trading
on the next business day following the event that gave rise to such
claim.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed provisions of new Rule 6.42(c) would benefit Permit
Holders by providing them with clear timeframes within which to submit
notices of requests, requests for compensation, and supporting
documentation. The proposed changes would also provide the Exchange
with certainty as to the deadlines by which notices of requests and
completed requests would be required to be submitted in order for the
Exchange to consider them for compensation under Rule 6.42.
Exchange Treatment of Aggregate Requests Exceeding Maximum Amount
Permitted To Be Paid
Currently, Rule 6.42(c) provides that if all of the claims cannot
be fully satisfied because in the aggregate they exceed the applicable
maximum amount of liability provided in paragraph (b) [of Rule 6.42]
[sic], then such maximum amount would be allocated among all such
claims arising on a single trading day or during a single calendar
month, as applicable, written notice of which has been given to the
Exchange no later than the opening of trading on the next business day
following the day on which the use or enjoyment of Exchange facilities
giving rise to the claim occurred, based upon the proportion that each
claim bears to the sum of all such claims. The Exchange proposes to
amend existing Rule 6.42(c), which would be renumbered to Rule 6.42(d),
to state that, ``if all of the timely requests submitted pursuant to
paragraph (c) [of Rule 6.42] that are granted cannot be fully satisfied
because in the aggregate they exceed the applicable maximum amount of
payments authorized in paragraph (b) [of Rule 6.42], then such maximum
amount shall be allocated among all such requests arising on a single
trading day or during a single calendar month, as applicable, based
upon the proportion that each such request bears to the sum of all such
requests.'' The Exchange notes that it is proposing to replace the term
``claim'' with the term ``request'', as well as replace the reference
to ``liability'' with ``payments authorized'' to eliminate any
implication of liability with respect to the Exchange and other Covered
Person resulting from the use or enjoyment of the facilities offered by
the Exchange, any interruption in or failure or unavailability or any
such facilities, or any action taken or omitted to be taken in respect
of the business of the Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange notes that proposed Rule 6.42(d) would
continue to provide a fair way of allocating the limited payment that
the rule would permit the Exchange to make when the total amount of
eligible requests exceed that maximum amount. The proposal would also
revise the timeframe in which requests for payment must be made by a
Permit Holder.
Exchange Review of Timely Requests
Proposed new Rule 6.42(e) would provide that the Exchange, in
determining whether to make payment in response to a request for
compensation, may determine whether the amount requested should be
reduced based on the actions or inactions of the requesting Permit
Holder. The proposed rule change would permit the Exchange to consider,
without limitation, whether the actions or inactions of the Permit
Holder contributed to the Loss Event; whether the Permit Holder made
appropriate efforts to mitigate its loss; whether the Permit Holder
realized any gains as a result of a Loss Event; whether the
[[Page 29112]]
losses of the Permit Holder, if any, were offset by hedges of positions
either on the Exchange or on another affiliated or unaffiliated market;
and whether the Permit Holder provided sufficient information to
document the request and as demanded by the Exchange. Proposed Rule
6.42(e) would therefore provide reasonable factors that the Exchange
may consider in determining whether to pay compensation in response to
a request and in determining the amount of any such compensation.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ Another exchange considered similar factors in determining
whether to pay compensation and in determining the amount of any
such compensation. See, NYSE Rule 18, which provides in relevant
part that the NYSE Compensation Review Panel in its review will
determine whether the amount should be reduced based on the actions
or inactions of the member organization, including whether the
member organization made appropriate efforts to mitigate its loss.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange represents that the determination to compensate a
Permit Holder will be made on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis
and without regard to the Exchange capacity of the Permit Holder, such
as whether the Permit Holder is a Designated Primary Market-Maker.
Additionally, the Exchange represents that the Exchange will maintain a
record of Permit Holder requests including documentation detailing the
Exchange's findings and details for approving or denying requests in
accordance with its obligations under Section 17 of the Act.
Finality of Exchange Determinations Under Rule
Proposed new Rule 6.42(f) would provide that all determinations by
the Exchange pursuant to Rule 6.42 shall be final and not subject to
appeal under Chapter XIX of the Exchange Rules.\12\ The proposed rule
would also provide that nothing in Rule 6.42, nor any payment made
pursuant to Rule 6.42, shall in any way limit, waive, or proscribe any
defenses a Covered Person may have to any claim, demand, liability,
action or cause of action, whether such defense arises in law or
equity, or whether such defense is asserted in a judicial,
administrative, or other proceeding.\13\ These proposed changes are
consistent with the discretionary nature of any payments that would be
made under proposed Rule 6.42(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ The Exchange notes that another exchange has a similar
provision indicating that all determinations are final. See, NYSE
Rule 18, which provides in relevant part that all determinations
made pursuant to NYSE Rule 18 by NYSE's Compensation Review Panel,
CEO or his or her designee are final.
\13\ Another exchange has a similar provision. See e.g., NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') Rule 4626(b)(6), which provides that
nothing in its Limitation of Liability rule shall waive Nasdaq's
limitations on, or immunities from, liability as set forth in its
Rules or agreements, or that otherwise apply as a matter of law.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treatment of Losses Occurring Prior to Effective Date of Rule
Proposed new paragraph 6.42(g) would establish July 1, 2105, as the
Effective Date of revised Rule 6.42. Under proposed paragraph 6.42(g),
claims for liability under prior versions of Rule 6.42 would not be
considered valid if brought with respect to any acts, omissions or
transactions occurring more than one year prior to the Effective Date,
or if brought more than one month after the Effective Date. Proposed
Rule 6.42(g) would thereby provide certainty to the Exchange as to any
expense it might incur due to losses arising due to Loss Events that
occurred prior to the Effective Date of the proposed rule change, while
also putting Permit Holders on notice that they must file any claims
for such losses by a date certain.
Deletion of Existing Interpretation Under Rule 6.42
The proposed rule change would delete existing interpretation .01
under Rule 6.42. Interpretation .01 disclaims The Options Clearing
Corporation liability to Permit Holders and their associated persons
with respect to their use, non-use or inability to use the linkage that
was part of the old Options Intermarket Linkage Plan (the ``Old
Linkage''). Because the Old Linkage is no longer operable,
interpretation .01 is no longer necessary.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ The old Options Intermarket Linkage Plan was replaced by
the Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Markets Plan in
2009. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60405 (July 30, 2009),
74 FR 39362 (August 6, 2009).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conforming Changes to Other Rules
The proposed rule change would make conforming changes to Exchange
Rules 2.2 and 6.44. Rule 2.2 requires a Permit Holder who fails to
prevail in lawsuit or other legal proceeding instituted against the
Exchange or certain related parties to pay for the Exchange's
reasonable costs of defending such lawsuit or proceeding if those costs
exceed $50,000. Rule 6.44 limits the legal proceedings a Permit Holder
may bring against the Exchange and certain related persons for actions
or omissions.
Under the proposed amendments to Rule 2.2, contractors would be
included within the list of related parties protected by that rule,
just as they would be included as Covered Persons under proposed Rule
6.42. As stated above, this proposed change is necessary because the
Exchange at times contracts with outside firms to provide products or
services to Permit Holders in connection with regulated business
conducted on or through the Exchange and that arise out of the use or
enjoyment of the facilities afforded by the Exchange and/or the
calculation or dissemination of specified values, or quotes or
transaction reports for options or other securities.
In addition, under the proposed amendments to Rule 2.2, other
officials and contractors of the Exchange and any subsidiaries and
affiliates of the Exchange and any such subsidiaries' and affiliates'
directors, officers, committee members, other officials, employees,
contractors, or agents would be explicitly identified/included within
the list of related parties protected by the rule,\15\ just as they are
proposed to be specifically identified/included within the list of
Covered Persons under Rule 6.42. Committee members and affiliates of
the Exchange and any subsidiaries' and affiliates' directors, officers,
committee members, other officials, employees, contractors and agents
would also be explicitly identified/included within the list of related
parties under Rule 6.44.\16\ These changes are intended to conform the
text of the three rules and to include affiliates within all three
rules.\17\ Moreover, under the proposed amendments to Rule 6.44,
committee members would be explicitly identified/included within the
list of related parties protected by the rule, just as they are already
specifically identified/included within the list of Covered
[[Page 29113]]
Persons under existing Rule 6.42 and the similar provision in Rule 2.2.
This change is intended to conform the rule text of the three rules.
Finally, under the proposed amendments to Rule 6.44, the title to the
rule will be revised.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ Specifically, the phrase ``the Exchange or any of its
directors, officers, committee members, employees or agents'' is
proposed to be replaced with the phrase ``the Exchange or any of its
directors, officers, committee members, other officials, employees,
contractors, or agents, or any subsidiaries or affiliates of the
Exchange or any of their directors, officers, committee members,
other officials, employees, contractors, or agents'' in Rule 2.2.
\16\ Specifically, the phrase ``the Exchange or any director,
officer, employee, contractor, agent or other official of the
Exchange or any subsidiary of the Exchange'' is proposed to be
replaced with the phrase ``the Exchange or any of its directors,
officers, committee members, other officials, employees,
contractors, or agents, or any subsidiaries or affiliates of the
Exchange or any of their directors, officers, committee members,
other officials, employees, contractors, or agents'' in Rule 6.44.
\17\ The Commission notes C2's statement of the purpose of its
proposed rule change is to eliminate any implication of liability
for losses arising out of the use or enjoyment of Exchange
facilities consistent with existing law where courts have recognized
the importance of protecting exchanges from liability in the context
of matters arising out of the SRO function. See supra note 4 and
accompanying text.
\18\ Specifically, the title ``Legal Proceedings Against the
Exchange and its Directors, Officers, Employees, Contractors or
Agents'' is proposed to be changed to simply ``Legal Proceedings
Against the Exchange.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') \19\ in general and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \20\ in
particular, which requires that the rules of an exchange be designed to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments
to and to perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a
national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest. In particular, the proposal would amend Exchange Rule
6.42 to eliminate any implication of liability with respect to the
Exchange and other Covered Person resulting from the use or enjoyment
of the facilities offered by the Exchange, any interruption in or
failure or unavailability or any such facilities, or any action taken
or omitted to be taken in respect of the business of the Exchange. The
proposed rule change is consistent with and supplements existing law,
and would assist the Exchange in fulfilling its role as a national
securities exchange by avoiding the risk of tempering this critical
regulatory function to avoid the disruption and expense of unnecessary
litigation or potential catastrophic loss.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposal would also permit the Exchange to compensate Permit
Holders for their losses incurred due to a Loss Event, even though the
Exchange would not have legal liability for those losses. The proposed
rule change would therefore facilitate the ability of the Exchange to
make discretionary payments to redress a situation in which Permit
Holders suffer losses due to a Loss Event. As stated above, the
Exchange represents that the determination to compensate a Permit
Holder will be made on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis
without regard to the Exchange capacity of the Permit Holder, such as
whether the Permit Holder is a Designated Primary Market-Maker. The
Exchange therefore believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Act, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act in particular, in that it is
designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and to perfect the mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and
the public interest.
The Exchange also believes these policies would promote fairness in
the national market system. The proposed rule change would allow C2 to
address Permit Holder requests for compensation under various
circumstances and would allow C2 to act in a fashion similar to many of
its competitors. As stated above, several exchanges have substantially
similar rules to those proposed here, and the Exchange believes that
the proposed rule change would place C2 in a similar position to
address Permit Holder requests.\21\ The Exchange believes that to the
extent there are any differences, such differences are not substantive
and are still consistent with the scope of prior self-regulatory
organization rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ See BOX Rule 7230 and EDGA Rule 11.14; see also Nasdaq Rule
4626, ISE Rule 705, and BATS Exchange, Inc. Rule 11.16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange believes that this proposed rule change does not
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As stated above, the
Exchange believes that these policies would promote fairness in the
national market system. The proposed rule change would allow C2 to
address Permit Holder requests for compensation under various
circumstances and would allow C2 to act in a fashion similar to many of
its competitors. In addition, as stated above, several exchanges have
substantially similar rules to those proposed here, except as otherwise
noted, and the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would
place C2 in a similar position to address Permit Holder requests.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.
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 from the date on which it was filed, or
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \23\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) \24\ 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 will
institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change
should be approved or disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\24\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a
brief description and the text of 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
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-C2-2015-010 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2015-010. 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
[[Page 29114]]
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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 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-C2-2015-010, and should be submitted on or before June
10, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-12144 Filed 5-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P