TheCorporateCounsel.net

A few months ago, I blogged about how Google may have taken the first step towards creating a “recognized channel” under the SEC’s 2008 Regulation FD guidance. In this podcast, David Calusdian of Sharon Merrill Associates analyzes this, including:

– What did Google recently do?
– For those that might consider doing something similar, what issues should they analyze?
– Do you foresee other companies following Google’s lead?

The Rise of Web Disclosure: Thomson Reuters and Nasdaq OMX Set to Launch

Recently, I blogged about concerns regarding how the traditional business wires might unevenly distribute the news. Over the past week or so, Dominic Jones has been conducting experiments to illustrate a different point – the potential ineffectiveness of traditional PR wire distribution.

Earlier this morning, Dominic blogged about a development that has “the potential to substantially streamline and reshape disclosure practices at thousands of US companies.” Thomson Reuters and Nasdaq OMX are set to launch platforms to help companies use web disclosure more extensively – which may dramatically reduce the use of PR newswires. Thomson Reuters and Nasdaq OMX provide IR webpage hosting services for about 2700 and 1078 companies, respectively – and intend to charge a flat annual fee (in comparison to the standard PR newswire practice of charging by the word).

Thomson Reuters has posted a fact sheet and white paper about its upcoming product offering – and here’s Nasdaq’s press release on its new DIY service.

PCAOB: New FAQs for Non-US Auditors Due to EU’s Directive on Statutory Auditors

Yesterday, the PCAOB issued staff guidance – in the form of FAQs – related to the registration process for applicants from non-U.S. jurisdictions where the PCAOB is prevented from inspecting PCAOB-registered firms. The affected jurisdictions currently are the 30 European countries that are required to follow the European Union’s Directive on Statutory Auditors, China, Hong Kong, and Switzerland.

– Broc Romanek