§79v. Information filed with Commission

(a) Public disclosure of information; protection of trade secrets

When in the judgment of the Commission the disclosure of such information would be in the public interest or the interest of investors or consumers, the information contained in any statement, application, declaration, report, or other document filed with the Commission shall be available to the public, and copies thereof may be furnished to any person at such reasonable charge and under such reasonable limitations as the Commission may prescribe: Provided, however, That nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require, or to authorize the Commission to require, the revealing of trade secrets or processes in any application, declaration, report, or document filed with the Commission under this chapter.

(b) Written objection to public disclosure

Any person filing such application, declaration, report, or document may make written objection to the public disclosure of information contained therein, stating the grounds for such objection, and the Commission is authorized to hear objections in any such case where it finds it advisable.

(c) Disclosure of nonpublic information to other than Commission personnel

It shall be unlawful for any member, officer, or employee of the Commission to disclose to any person other than a member, officer, or employee of the Commission, or to use for personal benefit, any information contained in any application, declaration, report, or document filed with the Commission which is not made available to the public pursuant to this section.

(Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title I, §22, 49 Stat. 834 .)

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission, with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 10 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.