Tag: Notice of Exempt Solicitation

Corp Fin posts new and revised CDIs regarding notices of exempt solicitation

Corp Fin has posted several new or revised CDIs that address exempt solicitations under the proxy rules.  With certain exceptions, Rule 14a-2(b)(1) exempts “any solicitation by or on behalf of any person who does not, at any time during such solicitation, seek directly or indirectly, either on its own or another’s behalf, the power to act as proxy for a security holder and does not furnish or otherwise request, or act on behalf of person who furnishes or requests, a form of revocation, abstention, consent or authorization.” Under Rule 14a-6(g), a person who engages in an exempt solicitation under Rule 14a-2(b)(1) and beneficially owns over $5 million of securities of the class that is the subject of the solicitation is required to mail or furnish to the SEC, not later than three days after the date the written solicitation is first sent or given to any security holder, five copies of the Notice of Exempt Solicitation (Rule 14a-103).  The Notice (Form PX14A6G) must attach as an exhibit all written soliciting materials “required to be submitted.” The new CDIs are summarized below. Something new and helpful: for revised CDIs, the SEC has provided a mark-up of the CDI showing the revisions.

Corp Fin issues two new CDIs on Notices of Exempt Solicitation

Corp Fin has issued two new CDIs related to the voluntary submission of Notices of Exempt Solicitation under Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(g). That rule requires any person who engages in an exempt solicitation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-2(b)(1) (i.e., without soliciting a proxy) and beneficially owns over $5 million of the class of securities subject to the solicitation to furnish or mail to the SEC a Notice of Exempt Solicitation. Rule 14a-103 requires the soliciting party to attach the written soliciting materials required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1). Recently, some shareholders (think John Chevedden) have begun to submit these Notices voluntarily in what appears to be a way to publicly to express their views on proposals.