Access to Information; Confidentiality (a) Upon reasonable advance written notice, subject to applicable logistical restrictions or limitations as a result of COVID-19 or any COVID-19 Measures and solely for purposes of furthering the Merger Transactions, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to Parent, Merger Sub and their respective representatives reasonable access during normal business hours during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VII, to all their respective properties, assets, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to Parent: (i) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws and (ii) all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as Parent or Merger Sub may reasonably request (including Tax Returns filed and those in preparation and the workpapers of its auditors). Nothing herein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5.2(a) and Section 5.2(b)) shall require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to provide such access or information to the extent that such action (A) would reasonably be expected to result in a waiver of attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or similar privilege, (B) specifically relates to the evaluation, deliberation or minutes of the Company Board (or any committee or subcommittee thereof) related to the Merger Transactions, the strategic and financial alternatives process leading thereto, or any information or materials provided to the Company Board (or any committee or subcommittee thereof) in connection therewith or (C) would reasonably be expected to violate any applicable Law or any confidentiality obligation owing to a third party so long as the Company shall promptly notify Parent of any such confidentiality obligations or access restrictions and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of such third party to provide such information and otherwise provide such access to Parent, if requested and (b) generally describe the type of information that cannot be disclosed to Parent (to the extent not prohibited by law or the underlying document). No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall affect any representation or warranty in this Agreement of any party hereto or any condition to the obligations of the parties hereto. All requests for access pursuant to this Section 5.2 must be directed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company or another person designated in writing by the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Parent and Merger Sub shall not, and shall cause their respective representatives not to, contact any partner, licensor, licensee, customer or supplier of the Company in connection with the Offer, the Merger or any of the other Merger Transactions without the Company’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that any such contact shall be arranged by and with a representative of the Company participating.
(b) To the extent Parent requests further information or investigation of the basis of any potential violations of Law, including Customs & Trade Laws, and Anti-Bribery Laws, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with such request and make available any personnel or experts engaged by the Company or its Subsidiaries necessary to accommodate such request.
(c) The Company shall (i) notify Parent in writing as promptly as reasonably practicable after learning of any Legal Proceeding by any Person initiated against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives in their capacity as such (a “New Litigation Claim”); (ii) notify Parent of ongoing material developments in any New Litigation Claim and any Legal Proceeding that was existing prior to the date hereof and (iii) consult in good faith with Parent regarding the conduct of the defense of any New Litigation Claim and any Legal Proceeding that was existing prior to the date hereof. With respect to any New Litigation Claim against the Company or its directors or officers relating to this Agreement or the Merger Transactions, the Company shall consult with Parent and give Parent the opportunity to participate in the defense and settlement of any such litigation, and no such settlement shall be agreed to without Parent’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or
