SEC Division of Trading and Markets no-action letter: Inet ATS, Inc.

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October 21, 2005

Paul A. Merolla, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel Instinet Group, Inc. 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036

Re: Inet ATS, Inc.

Dear Mr. Merolla:

This letter extends the temporary no-action position taken by the Division of Market Regulation ("Division") on January 6, 2005 ("January Letter") until June 28, 2006. In the January Letter, the Division took the view that the Inet ATS, Inc. ("Inet" or "System") is an electronic communications network ("ECN"), as defined in Rule 600(b)(23) of Regulation NMS 1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"), and would be in compliance with the requirements applicable to the ECN Display Alternative 2 with respect to Nasdaq securities for which a linkage between the System and a self-regulatory organization ("SRO") is operational. Accordingly, the Division took the position in the January Letter that it would not recommend that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") take enforcement action against OTC market makers or exchange market makers who are participants in the System, if those market makers enter orders into the System without modifying their public quotations in compliance with the ECN Display Alternative.

In taking this position, the Division relied on the representation made by Inet in its letter dated October 12, 2005, that previous representations made with respect to Inet's predecessor, Island ECN, Inc., continue to be correct.

The Division continues to condition its position on Inet's compliance with the requirement that it respond to orders entered into the System through access to an SRO no slower than Inet responds to orders entered directly into the System, and in any event in no more than a few seconds. The Division further conditions its position upon Inet having sufficient capacity to handle the volume of trading reasonably anticipated in its System. Such capacity should be ensured through periodic review and testing to (1) ensure future capacity, (2) identify potential weaknesses, and (3) reduce the risks of system failures and threats to system integrity. Moreover, the Division conditions its position on Inet providing broker-dealers access to its quotations via either an SRO or the telephone for a charge of no more than the fee that Inet charges a substantial proportion of its active broker-dealer subscribers 3 , plus any fee payable to an SRO.

Finally, the Division conditions its position on Inet's compliance with all applicable Commission and SRO rules, including any additional requirements applicable to ECNs. Any different facts or conditions - including but not limited to modifications or revisions to, or expansion of service provided by, Inet - may require a different response. The Division may request additional representations from you regarding the operation of Inet. This no-action position is subject to changes in current law, regulation, and interpretations; any such change may require the Division to reevaluate and withdraw or modify this position. This no-action position concerns enforcement action under Section 11A of the Act only, and does not express any legal conclusions regarding the applicability of Section 11A or other statutory or regulatory provisions of the federal securities laws.

Compliance with the ECN Amendment depends in many respects on the practical effect of the operational conditions established by Inet and the manner of operation of the linkage between Inet and an SRO. Therefore, the Division is limiting the effectiveness of this no-action position until June 28, 2006.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Gaw Assistant Director

Endnotes

1 17 CFR 242.600(b)(23).

2 17 CFR 242.602(b)(5)(ii).

3 The Division notes that Rule 610(c) of Regulation NMS, 17 CFR 242.610(c), generally limits the fee that a trading center may charge for accessing a protected quotation to no more than $0.003 per share. Rule 610(c) became effective as of August 29, 2005, and is subject to delayed compliance to be implemented in two phases. See Securities Exchange Act Release 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37576 (June 29, 2005).

Incoming Letter:

October 12, 2005

Via E-Mail and Air Courier

Robert L.D. Colby Deputy Director Division of Market Regulation U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549

Dear Bob,

Inet ATS, Inc. ("Inet"), formerly Island ECN, Inc. ("Island"), requests that the Division of Market Regulation extend by letter to Inet the no-action positions taken by the Division of Market Regulation in its January 17, 1997 and November 7, 2002 letters to Island, the most recent extensions of which expired on October 6, 2005. My understanding from your staff is that INET has interim ECN no-action relief from October 6, 2005 pending your response to this letter.

In addition, Inet hereby represents that the representations made in the January 17, 1997 and November 7, 2002 letters continue to be correct.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 212.310.7548.

Very truly yours,

Paul A. Merolla EVP and General Counsel

cc: Angela Muehr, Division of Market Regulation, SEC

http://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/mr-noaction/inet102105.htm

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Modified: 10/25/2005