What does the term "blue-sky" refer to in securities law?

The term "blue-sky" in securities law refers specifically to the state registration of securities. This terminology originated from the idea of protecting investors from fraudulent sales of securities by requiring companies to register their securities offerings with state authorities. Each state has its own regulations, which are aimed at ensuring that potential investors are given full disclosure about the investment, and that the offerings meet certain standards before they are sold.

The blue-sky laws require issuers to register their offerings and provide relevant information, thereby ensuring a degree of protection against fraud and promoting transparency. This state-level regulation exists alongside federal securities laws, which govern broader securities markets but do not replace the necessity of state registration for many security offerings.

The other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of "blue-sky" in the context of securities law. The term specifically denotes the regulatory framework established at the state level, emphasizing investor protection concerning the registration of securities, rather than issues related to risk assessment, federal securities approval, or international regulations.