Skip to main content
Date
Rule
801.12, 802.30
Staff
Michael Verne
Response/Comments
Agree.

Question

From:

(Redacted)

Sent:

Monday, March 15, 2010 3:41 PM

To:

Verne, B. Michael

Cc:

(Redacted)

Hi, Mike -I hope all is well in DC. Ihave a question on the application of the Intraperson Exemption that I'm hopingyou can clarify for me.

In this scenario, X and Y are separatepersons and partners in a joint venture, Z. Z has 3 classes of shares: A, BandC shares, intended to vote together as a single class. X holds 100% of the Aand B shares and Y holds 100% of the C shares. The total number of A and Bshares equals the number of C shares. The A and B shares together are intendedto represent 50% of the votes and the C shares are intended to represent theremaining 50% of the votes. The A shares are entitled to vote for 2 of the 5directors of Z on its own, per the Series A Certificate of Designations; the Band the C shares together are entitled to elect the other 3 directors, per theSeries B Certificate of Designations. Pursuant to a Stockholder's Agreement,however, X agreed to let the 3 directors elected by the Band C shares togetherbe designated by the principal holders of the C shares. X proposes to acquirethe C shares currently held by Y in a transaction that exceeds the HSR Act'sthresholds.

My question is whether X can rely on 802.30.X holds 50% of the outstanding voting shares of Z, but if X is required tocalculate its current holdings in accordance with 801.12, it may be less than50% of the voting securities. In applying 802.30, can X simply look to thetotal number of securities held in the aggregate, without regard to 801.12?

About Informal Interpretations

Informal interpretations provide guidance from previous staff interpretations on the applicability of the HSR rules to specific fact situations. You should not rely on them as a substitute for reading the Act and the Rules themselves. These materials do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice.

Learn more about Informal Interpretations.