[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 19894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8413]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-49533; File No. SR-ODD-2004-02]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; the Options Clearing Corporation; 
Order Granting Approval of Proposed Amendment to the Front Inside Cover 
Page of the Options Disclosure Document

April 7, 2004.
    On March 9, 2004, the Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') 
submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''), 
pursuant to Rule 9b-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Exchange Act''),\1\ five definitive copies of an amendment to its 
options disclosure document (``ODD'') to amend the ODD's front inside 
cover page to add the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (``BSE'').\2\
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    \1\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1.
    \2\ See letter from Jean M. Cawley, First Vice President and 
Deputy General Counsel, OCC, to Sharon Lawson, Senior Special 
Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated March 9, 
2004 (``OCC letter'').
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    The ODD currently contains general disclosures on the 
characteristics and risks of trading standardized options. The front 
inside cover page contains a listing of the U.S. national securities 
exchanges that trade options issued by OCC. BSE currently trades 
options issued by OCC.\3\ The proposed amendment would add BSE and its 
corporate address to the front inside cover page of the ODD so that it 
contains a current list of the U.S. exchanges that trade options issued 
by the OCC.
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49068 (January 13, 
2004), 69 FR 2775 (January 20, 2004) (approving File No. SR-BSE-
2002-15).
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    The Commission has reviewed the proposed amendment and finds that 
it complies with Rule 9b-1 under the Exchange Act.\4\ Rule 9b-
1(b)(2)(i) under the Exchange Act \5\ provides that an options market 
must file five copies of an amendment or supplement to the ODD with the 
Commission at least 30 days prior to the date definitive copies are 
furnished to customers, unless the Commission determines otherwise, 
having due regard to the adequacy of information disclosed and the 
public interest and protection of investors.\6\ In addition, five 
definitive copies shall be filed with the Commission not later than the 
date the amendment or supplement, or the amended options disclosure 
document, is furnished to customers. The Commission has reviewed the 
proposed amendment, and finds it consistent with the protection of 
investors and in the public interest to allow the distribution of this 
document as of the date of this order.
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    \4\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1.
    \5\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1(b)(2)(i).
    \6\ This provision is intended to permit the Commission either 
to accelerate or extend the time period in which definitive copies 
of a disclosure document may be distributed to the public.
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    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Rule 9b-1 under the Exchange 
Act,\7\ that the proposed amendment (SR-ODD-2004-02), which would add 
BSE and its corporate address to the front inside cover page of the 
ODD, is approved. The Commission has also determined that definitive 
copies can be furnished to customers as of the date of this order.
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    \7\ 17 CFR 240.9b-1.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
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    \8\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(39).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-8413 Filed 4-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P