Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410 (2026)

Civil Liabilities

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 410. (a) Any person who

(1) offers or sells a security in violation of section 201(a), 301, or 405(b), or of any rule or order under section 403 which requires the affirmative approval of sales literature before it is used, or of any condition imposed under section 303(d), or

(2) offers or sells a security by means of any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, the buyer not knowing of the untruth or omission, and who does not sustain the burden of proof that he did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the untruth or omission, is liable to the person buying the security from him, who may sue either at law or in equity to recover the consideration paid for the security, together with interest at six per cent per year from the date of payment, costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees, less the amount of any income received on the security, upon the tender of the security, or for damages if he no longer owns the security. Damages are the amount that would be recoverable upon a tender less the value of the security when the buyer disposed of it and interest at six per cent per year from the date of disposition.

(b) Every person who directly or indirectly controls a seller liable under subsection (a), every partner, officer, or director of such a seller, every person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, every employee of such a seller who materially aids in the sale, and every broker-dealer or agent who materially aids in the sale are also liable jointly and severally with and to the same extent as the seller, unless the non-seller who is so liable sustains the burden of proof that he did not know, and in exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of the facts by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist. There is contribution as in cases of contract among the several persons so liable.

(c) Any tender specified in this section may be made at any time before entry of judgment.

(d) Every cause of action under this statute survives the death of any person who might have been a plaintiff or defendant.

(e) No person may sue under this section more than four years after the discovery by the person bringing the action of a violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated or order issued thereunder. No person may sue under this section (1) if the buyer received a written offer, before suit and at a time when he owned the security, to refund the consideration paid together with interest at six percent per year from the date of payment, less the amount of any income received on the security, and he failed to accept the offer within thirty days of its receipt, or (2) if the buyer received such an offer before suit and at a time when he did not own the security, unless he rejected the offer in writing within thirty days of its receipt.

(f) No person who has made or engaged in the performance of any contract in violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder, or who has acquired any purported right under any such contract with knowledge of the facts by reason of which its making or performance was in violation, may base any suit on the contract.

(g) Any condition, stipulation, or provision binding any person acquiring any security to waive compliance with any provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder is void.

(h) The rights and remedies provided by this chapter are in addition to any other rights or remedies that may exist at law or in equity, but this chapter does not create any cause of action not specified in this section.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 93 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: Marram v. Kobrick Offshore Fund, Ltd., 442 Mass. 43 (Mass. 2004).
Marram v. Kobrick Offshore Fund, Ltd., 442 Mass. 43 (Mass. 2004). · cites it 15× “We review a judgment entered in the Superior Court dismissing an action commenced by an investor for violation of the Uniform Securities Act, G. L. c. 110A, § 410 (a) (2) 3 ; negligent misrepresentation; and unfair and deceptive trade practices, G.”
Stolzoff v. Waste Sys. Int'l, Inc., 792 N.E.2d 1031 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). · cites it 7× “110A, § 410(a)(2), against the company, Davis, and Sachem; they brought claims pursuant to G. L. c. 110A, § 410(6), against defendants Rosen, Davis, Matulich, Koenig, Hollander, CGI, and Sachem.”
Amorim Holding Financeria, S.G.P.S., S.A. v. C.P. Baker & Co., 53 F. Supp. 3d 279 (D. Mass. 2014). · cites it 9× “Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a) (requiring that the buyer “not know[] of the untruth or omission” to make out a claim).”
Huffington v. T.C. Grp., LLC, 637 F.3d 18 (1st Cir. 2011). · cites it 3× “On July 13, 2009, Huffington brought suit in Massachusetts state court alleging three claims against the Carlyle defendants and the Guernsey-based fund for allegedly misrepresenting the risks associated with the fund: (1) a violation of the Massachusetts Blue Sky Law (formally,…”
Hays v. Ellrich, 31 N.E.3d 1064 (Mass. 2015). · cites it 5× “Ellrich, the sole owner and officer of MFA, had, among other claims, violated the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act (act), G. L. c. 110A, § 410 (a) (2), committed fraud, and committed a breach of their fiduciary duty to her.”
Access Cardiosystems, Inc. v. Fincke (In Re Access Cardiosystems, Inc.), 404 B.R. 593 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2009). · cites it 5× “[the] portfolio’s success cannot by itself form the basis for a claim under GL c. 110A, § 410.”). 79 . "Similarly, more cautious or subdued statements are less likely to be actionable than more strongly optimistic or concrete statements that contrast sharply with internal…”
Adams v. Hyannis Harborview, Inc., 838 F. Supp. 676 (D. Mass. 1993). · cites it 5× “Failure to Register Securities Under M.G.L. c. 110A § 410(a)(1) Chapter 110A, § 410(a)(1) of the Massachusetts General Laws provides for a private cause of action for a violation of Section 301 of the same Chapter.”
Crown v. Kobrick Offshore Fund, Ltd., 8 N.E.3d 281 (Mass. App. Ct. 2014). · cites it 8× “” As the defendants’ breach of contract counterclaim based on subsection (a) of the indemnification clause sought to hold the plaintiff liable for its breach of the subscription agreement without limitation as to the defendants’ violation of the securities act, even though G. L.…”
Tutor Perini Corp. v. Banc of Am. Sec. LLC, 842 F.3d 71 (1st Cir. 2016). · cites it 2× “” Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a)(2). Simplifying slightly (but without affecting our analysis), we see that to prevail under this statute, a plaintiff must show (1) that the defendant offered or sold securities (2) in the Bay State (3) by (a) making an untrue statement of…”
Indus Partners, LLC v. Intelligroup, Inc., 934 N.E.2d 264 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). · cites it 3× “” G. L. c. 110A, § 410(9, inserted by St. 1972, c.”
Massachusetts Mut. Life Ins. v. Residential Funding Co., 843 F. Supp. 2d 191 (D. Mass. 2012). · cites it 3× “For this reason, Defendants’ motions will be allowed as to Plaintiffs claims of misstatements or omissions regarding owner-occupancy rates.”
Eagle Fund, Ltd. v. Sarkans, 823 N.E.2d 783 (Mass. App. Ct. 2005). · cites it 3× “Among other claims not here relevant, Eagle alleged that Sarkans misrepresented material facts in connection with the sale of a security, in violation of the Uniform Securities Act, G. L. c. 110A, § 410(a)(2), and two sections of the Securities Act of Washington, Wash.”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(6) — 2 cases
Stolzoff v. Waste Sys. Int'l, Inc., 792 N.E.2d 1031 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “110A, § 410(a)(2), against the company, Davis, and Sachem; they brought claims pursuant to G. L. c. 110A, § 410(6), against defendants Rosen, Davis, Matulich, Koenig, Hollander, CGI, and Sachem.”
Cohen v. State Street Bank & Trust Co., 893 N.E.2d 425 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(a) — 18 cases
Braintree Labs., Inc. v. Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., 671 F. Supp. 2d 202 (D. Mass. 2009).
Amorim Holding Financeria, S.G.P.S., S.A. v. C.P. Baker & Co., 53 F. Supp. 3d 279 (D. Mass. 2014). “Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a) (requiring that the buyer “not know[] of the untruth or omission” to make out a claim).”
Abelson v. Strong, 644 F. Supp. 524 (D. Mass. 1986).
Massachusetts Mut. Life Ins. v. Residential Funding Co., 843 F. Supp. 2d 191 (D. Mass. 2012). “For this reason, Defendants’ motions will be allowed as to Plaintiffs claims of misstatements or omissions regarding owner-occupancy rates.”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(a)(1) — 1 case
Adams v. Hyannis Harborview, Inc., 838 F. Supp. 676 (D. Mass. 1993). “Failure to Register Securities Under M.G.L. c. 110A § 410(a)(1) Chapter 110A, § 410(a)(1) of the Massachusetts General Laws provides for a private cause of action for a violation of Section 301 of the same Chapter.”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(a)(2) — 47 cases
Stolzoff v. Waste Sys. Int'l, Inc., 792 N.E.2d 1031 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “110A, § 410(a)(2), against the company, Davis, and Sachem; they brought claims pursuant to G. L. c. 110A, § 410(6), against defendants Rosen, Davis, Matulich, Koenig, Hollander, CGI, and Sachem.”
Access Cardiosystems, Inc. v. Fincke (In Re Access Cardiosystems, Inc.), 404 B.R. 593 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2009). “[the] portfolio’s success cannot by itself form the basis for a claim under GL c. 110A, § 410.”). 79 . "Similarly, more cautious or subdued statements are less likely to be actionable than more strongly optimistic or concrete statements that contrast sharply with internal…”
Tutor Perini Corp. v. Banc of Am. Sec. LLC, 842 F.3d 71 (1st Cir. 2016). “” Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a)(2). Simplifying slightly (but without affecting our analysis), we see that to prevail under this statute, a plaintiff must show (1) that the defendant offered or sold securities (2) in the Bay State (3) by (a) making an untrue statement of…”
Amorim Holding Financeria, S.G.P.S., S.A. v. C.P. Baker & Co., 53 F. Supp. 3d 279 (D. Mass. 2014). “Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a) (requiring that the buyer “not know[] of the untruth or omission” to make out a claim).”
Crown v. Kobrick Offshore Fund, Ltd., 8 N.E.3d 281 (Mass. App. Ct. 2014). “” As the defendants’ breach of contract counterclaim based on subsection (a) of the indemnification clause sought to hold the plaintiff liable for its breach of the subscription agreement without limitation as to the defendants’ violation of the securities act, even though G. L.…”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(a)(l) — 1 case
Sherter v. Ross Fialkow Capital Partners, LLP, 31 Mass. L. Rptr. 98 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2013).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(b) — 9 cases
Massachusetts Mut. Life Ins. v. Residential Funding Co., 843 F. Supp. 2d 191 (D. Mass. 2012). “For this reason, Defendants’ motions will be allowed as to Plaintiffs claims of misstatements or omissions regarding owner-occupancy rates.”
Miller Inv. Trust v. Morgan Stanley & Co., 308 F. Supp. 3d 411 (D.D.C. 2018).
Amorim Holding Financeria, S.G.P.S., S.A. v. C.P. Baker & Co., 53 F. Supp. 3d 279 (D. Mass. 2014). “Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a) (requiring that the buyer “not know[] of the untruth or omission” to make out a claim).”
Am. Microtel, Inc. v. Sec'y of State, 3 Mass. L. Rptr. 479 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1995).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(c) — 1 case
Amorim Holding Financeria, S.G.P.S., S.A. v. C.P. Baker & Co., 53 F. Supp. 3d 279 (D. Mass. 2014). “Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a) (requiring that the buyer “not know[] of the untruth or omission” to make out a claim).”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(e) — 8 cases
Gaudette v. Panos, 644 F. Supp. 826 (D. Mass. 1986).
Genovesi v. Nelson, 5 N.E.3d 571 (Mass. App. Ct. 2014).
Alton v. Prudential-Bache Sec., Inc., 753 F. Supp. 39 (D. Mass. 1990).
Cannistraci v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 796 F. Supp. 619 (D. Mass. 1992).
Venture Inv. Partners I, LLC v. JT Venture Partners, LLC, 23 Mass. L. Rptr. 304 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2007).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(f) — 5 cases
Indus Partners, LLC v. Intelligroup, Inc., 934 N.E.2d 264 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). “” G. L. c. 110A, § 410(9, inserted by St. 1972, c.”
Huffington v. T.C. Grp., LLC, 685 F. Supp. 2d 239 (D. Mass. 2010).
Sec. Indus. Ass'n v. Connolly, 703 F. Supp. 146 (D. Mass. 1988).
Noveios Therapeutics, Inc. v. Kenmare Capital Partners, Ltd., 13 Mass. L. Rptr. 389 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2001).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(g) — 5 cases
Huffington v. T.C. Grp., LLC, 637 F.3d 18 (1st Cir. 2011). “On July 13, 2009, Huffington brought suit in Massachusetts state court alleging three claims against the Carlyle defendants and the Guernsey-based fund for allegedly misrepresenting the risks associated with the fund: (1) a violation of the Massachusetts Blue Sky Law (formally,…”
Amorim Holding Financeria, S.G.P.S., S.A. v. C.P. Baker & Co., 53 F. Supp. 3d 279 (D. Mass. 2014). “Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A § 410(a) (requiring that the buyer “not know[] of the untruth or omission” to make out a claim).”
Huffington v. T.C. Grp., LLC, 685 F. Supp. 2d 239 (D. Mass. 2010).
Marram v. Kobrick Offshore Fund, Ltd., 25 Mass. L. Rptr. 443 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2009).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110A, § 410(h) — 1 case
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. v. Salerno, 445 F. Supp. 2d 124 (D. Mass. 2006).
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