As mentioned above, Rule 3040 stipulates that selling a security away without first obtaining written approval from the firm violates the rule. When a registered person engages in outside activity without prior notice to the firm, this violates Rule 3030. There has been an uptick in businesses registering as Series 6 Investment Companies or Variable Contracts Products representatives, but they are still required to inform their firms if they don't wish to violate the two rules mentioned.