Here's what I got from talking with my Scottrade representative.  Restrictions on PTSC are for "unusual" trading that has taken place.  This restriction is to keep hackers from accessing an account on a customers computer and depleting funds and running up a stock and then selling.  I told him the recent run up was due to a court case.  He was unaware.  I told him that to protect customers that a sell should be restricted so that an account can't be drained.  I asked about Scottrade shorting, he said they don't for stocks under $5.  I asked him what unusual trading or incident sparked the restriction.  He didn't know and if he did he would not be able to share this with me.  Maybe Turley, the BOD, Pohl, or someone else that doesn't appear to be very busy could get us an answer.  I'm sure Eric knows.