SEC Lifts Ban on General Solicitation, Adopts “Bad Actor” Disqualification Rules and Proposes Amendments to Form D Filings

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the JOBS Act) was enacted.  Title II of the JOBS Act mandated the Securities and Exchange Commission to amend applicable rules within 90 days of its enactment (i.e., July 5, 2012) in order to eliminate the prohibitions against general solicitation or general advertising in Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under Rule 144A under the Securities Act.  In August 2012, the Commission proposed a new Rule 506(c) and an amendment to Rule 144A to implement Title II.  During an open meeting on July 10, 2013, the Commission issued two releases (33-9414 (bad actor) and 33-9415 (Rule 506, Rule 144A and Form D)) which adopted new rules.  For more information on the adopted rules, please click here.