Thank you misanthrope for offering your disclosure
Post# of 9964
Section 17(b) provides that it is unlawful to publicize a security, if you are being paid to do so, unless you disclose three things. The first thing that is required to be disclosed is nature of the compensation you are receiving, whether it is cash, or whether it is stock. The second is the amount of compensation you are receiving. The third is the source of the compensation.
The SEC noted that 17(b) does not prohibit free speech, that it does not prohibit spamming, online newsletters, posting on message boards, without other activity as well. However, lying to investors, or failing to disclose compensation, does violate the law.
The SEC went on to note that Section 17(b) applies to any person who publicizes a security through any means. When it comes to the Internet, that includes publicizing securities over World Wide Web pages, online investment newsletters, bulletin boards, chat rooms, or through Internet junk mail, which is popularly known as spam.
Section 17(b) is important because investors have a right to know if information is objective, or whether someone is paying to provide that information to investors.
There is nothing illegal about companies paying fees to touters. The law requires the touters have to disclose. The law does not cover the companies themselves who make the payments.
Thank you in advance...
Chewie
Note: My opinions in this posting are just that, "opinions." Please make your own investment decisions. Happy trading, and best of luck to you with achieving prosperity.