In an opinion Tuesday, Judge Forrest dismissed various class action suits accusing stock exchanges of improperly allowing high-frequency traders to pay to obtain and trade on market data faster than other investors.  The plaintiffs subscribed to market data via subscriber contracts that, in turn, incorporated the terms of standardized market data dissemination “plans.”  Those plans, which the SEC approved, stated the data would be provided on “fair and reasonable terms” that are “not discriminatory” (or used similar language). Judge Forrest ruled that the claims were preempted by the detailed federal statutory and regulatory regime governing stock exchanges:
Continue Reading Judge Forrest: “Flash Boys” Suit Against Exchanges is Preempted by Federal Law