COVENANTS PRIOR TO CLOSING 37 7.1 Access and Cooperation; Due Diligence...........................37 7.2 Conduct of Business Pending Closing.............................38 7.3
Prior to the Closing the Buyer shall provide to Seller a list of those employees of the Company whose employment Buyer intends to terminate after the Closing (the "Identified Employees") and Seller shall cause the Company prior to the Closing to show on its Financial Statements and the Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet, a liability equal to the amount that the Identified Employees would be eligible to receive under Company's severance pay plan and any pay-in-lieu-of-vacation arrangement offered by the Company and all employment taxes thereon computed as if the Company had terminated such employees' employment at Closing. As to such Identified Employees, Seller shall have the sole option to determine if the Identified Employees shall continue to be employed by Seller or its Affiliates or be transferred to other divisions or facilities of the Seller or its Affiliates. Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to retain as many of the Company employees as is feasible. Buyer shall treat all service completed by an employee with the Company or any Affiliate thereof, and any predecessor thereto, the same as service completed with Buyer for all purposes, including waiting periods relating to preexisting conditions under medical plans, vacations, severance pay, eligibility to participate in, vesting or payment of benefits under, and eligibility for early retirement or any subsidized benefit provided for under, any employee benefit plan (including, but not limited to, any "employee benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) maintained by Buyer on or after the Closing Date, except for purposes of computing benefits under the actual benefit formula in a defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA). Prior to the Closing, Seller shall furnish Buyer with a list of the length of service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any predecessor thereof, for each of the Employees. For purposes of computing deductible amounts (or like adjustments or limitations on coverage) under any employee welfare benefit plan (including, without limitation, any "employee welfare benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), expenses and claims previously recognized for similar purposes under the applicable welfare benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate shall be credited or recognized under the comparable plan maintained after the Closing Date by Buyer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer shall not be required to permit the employees of the Company to participate in the Buyer's 401(k) plan prior to the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing after the Closing Date.
Conduct Prior to the Closing Antisense and Biophan covenant and agree that, after the date hereof and prior to the Closing (unless ITI shall otherwise approve in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld):
(a) Antisense will not declare, set aside or pay any dividends or distributions payable in cash, stock or property, in respect of its capital stock;
(b) Antisense will not amend, nor will Biophan cause the amendment of the Antisense Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws;
(c) Antisense and Biophan will comply with all requirements which federal or state law may impose on it with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and will promptly cooperate with and furnish written information to ITI in connection with any such requirements imposed upon the parties hereto in connection therewith;
(d) Except within the regular course of business, Antisense will not incur any indebtedness for money borrowed, issue or sell any debt securities, incur or suffer to be incurred any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever, cause or permit any lien, encumbrance or security interest to be created or arise on or in any of its properties or assets, acquire or dispose of fixed assets, change employment terms, enter into any material or long-term contract, guarantee obligations of any third party, settle or discharge any balance sheet receivable for less than its stated amount or enter into any other transaction, except to comply with the terms of this Agreement; and
(e) Antisense and Biophan shall grant to ITI and its counsel, accountants and other representatives, full access during normal business hours during the period prior to the Closing to all Antisense's respective properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and, during such period, furnish promptly to ITI and such representatives all information relating to Antisense as ITI may reasonably request, and shall extend to ITI the opportunity to meet with Antisense's accountants and attorneys to discuss the financial condition of Antisense.
Operations Prior to the Closing Date (a) From the ------------------------------------ date hereof through the Closing Date, Parent shall cause the Companies to operate and carry on the Business in the ordinary course in accordance with past practice and in compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law, including Environmental Laws. Consistent with the foregoing, Parent shall cause each of the Companies to use its reasonable efforts consistent with good business practice to (i) maintain the business organization of the Companies intact, (ii) keep available the services of any key employees of the Companies and (iii) preserve the goodwill and beneficial relationships of the suppliers, contractors, licensors, employees, customers, distributors and others having business relations with the Companies.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 7.4(a), except as set forth in Schedule -------------- -------- 7.4, except as contemplated by this Agreement or except with the express written --- approval of Buyer (which, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii), (vi), (ix), (x) and (xviii), Buyer agrees shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), Parent shall cause each of the Companies not to:
(i) make any material change in the Business or its operations, except such changes as may be required to comply with any applicable Requirements of Law;
(ii) make any capital expenditure or enter into any contract or commitment therefor, other than in the ordinary course of the Business, which is in excess of $50,000;
(iii) other than in the ordinary course of the Business, enter into any contract, agreement, undertaking or commitment which would have been required to be set forth in Schedule 5.14(a) or 5.14(b) if in effect on the ---------------- ------- date hereof or amend any Business Agreement in any material respect;
(iv) enter into any contract that contains a "change of control" provision that would give the other party a right to terminate such contract upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or under which the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby would constitute a default;
(v) enter into any contract for the purchase of real property or exercise any option to extend a lease listed in Schedule 5.9; ------------
(vi) sell, lease (as lessor), transfer or otherwise dispose of (including any transfers to any of its Affiliates), or mortgage or pledge, or impose or suffer to be imposed any Encumbrance on, any of its properties, rights or assets, other than inventory and minor amounts of personal property sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice and other than Permitted Encumbrances;
(vii) cancel any debts owed to or claims held by it or pay, settle or discharge any claims/litigation, proceedings, actions or liabilities, other than in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice;
(viii) create, incur or assume, or agree to create, incur or assume, any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (other than money borrowed or advances from any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice) or enter into, as lessee, any capitalized lease obligations (as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13);
(ix) accelerate or delay collection of any notes or accounts receivable in advance of or beyond their regular due dates or the dates when the same would have been collected in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice;
(x) delay or accelerate payment of any account payable or other liability beyond or in advance of its due date or the date when such liability would have been paid in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice;
(xi) make, or agree to make, any distribution of assets (other than cash) to Parent or any of its Affiliates;
(xii) institute any increase in any benefit provided, or loan or advance any money or property, to any present or former director, officer, consultant or employee of any of the Companies, other than in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice or as required by any Company Plan, Parent Plan or Requirements of Law;
(xiii) make any material change in the compensation of its employees, other than changes made in accordance with normal compensation practices of the Companies or pursuant to existing contractual commitments and consistent with past compensation practices, or grant any severance or termination pay to any of its employees or amend the form of retention and severance agreement contained in Schedule 7.4; ------------
(xiv) establish, adopt, enter into, amend or terminate any Company Plan, or any plan, agreement, program, policy, trust, fund or other arrangement that would be a Company Plan if it were in existence on the date hereof, other than in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practice or as required by any Company Plan, Parent Plan or Requirement of Law;
(xv) make any material change in the accounting policies applied in the preparation of the Interim Financial Statements, unless such change is required by GAAP;
(xvi) make any change in its charter, by-laws or other organizational document or issue any capital stock (or securities exchangeable, convertible or exercisable for capital stock);
(xvii) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock or partnership or membership interests or declare, set aside or pay any dividends or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or other property) in respect of such shares or interests, except for cash dividends and distributions payable by a Conveyed Companies Subsidiary to any of the Companies, Parent or Affiliates of Parent;
(xviii) except as required by law, and except in cases where doing so would not have a material adverse consequence to Buyer Group Members with respect to taxable years or periods beginning after the Closing Date or, with respect to any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date, file any Tax Return in a manner inconsistent with past practice or take any position, make any election, or adopt any method that is inconsistent with positions taken, elections made or methods used in prior periods in filing Tax Returns (including any such position, election or method which would have the effect of deferring income to periods for which Buyer is liable or accelerating deductions to periods for which Parent is liable);
(xix) amend any Tax Returns or settle or compromise any proceeding relating to Tax liabilities of any Company, in either case if doing so would, or would reasonably be expected to, materially adversely affect any Buyer Group Member with respect to taxable years or periods beginning after the Closing Date or, with respect to any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date;
(xx) enter into or amend any aviation, manufacturing or transportation customer contract, other than new contracts with existing customers and amendments to existing contracts, in each case, where the terms of such new contract or amendment are not materially less favorable to the Companies than existing contracts with such customers;
(xxi) enter into any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement or acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture association or other business organization or division thereof;
(xxii) merge or consolidate with or into any other Person or dissolve or liquidate; or
(xxiii) authorize, commit or agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing.
Termination Prior to Closing Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties will be relieved of the obligation to consummate the Closing and purchase or sell the Assets:
(a) By the mutual written consent of the Buyer and the Seller;
(b) By the Seller in writing, without liability, if the Buyer (i) fails to perform in any material respect its agreements contained herein required to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein, which in either case is not cured within ten (10) days after the Seller has notified the Buyer of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph;
(c) By the Buyer in writing, without liability, if the Seller (i) fails to perform in any material respect its agreements contained herein required to be performed by them on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein, which in either case is not cured within ten (10) days after the Buyer has notified the Seller of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph;
(d) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, by either the Seller or the Buyer in writing, without liability, if there is issued any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental or regulatory agency binding on the Buyer or the Seller which prohibits or materially restrains the Buyer or the Seller from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that the Buyer and the Seller have used their reasonable, good faith efforts to have any such order, writ, injunction or decree lifted and the same has not been lifted within sixty (60) days after entry, by any such court or governmental or regulatory agency;
(e) By the Buyer in writing, without liability, if Buyer elects to terminate pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 hereof;
(f) By either the Seller or the Buyer in writing, without liability, if for any reason the Closing has not occurred by March 31, 1999 other than as a result of the breach of this Agreement by the party attempting to terminate this Agreement;
(g) By Seller in writing, without liability, upon a "Change of Control" of Buyer (for purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" means (i) the acquisition by any individual, corporation, company, association, joint venture or other entity, of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the voting securities of the Buyer; or (ii) individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board of Directors of the Buyer cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Buyer; or (iii) the consummation by the Buyer of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or exchange of shares or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Buyer, if immediately after giving effect to such transaction the individuals or entities who beneficially own voting securities immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own
Actions Prior to Closing From the date hereof until the Closing Date, Contributor shall not take any action or fail to take any action the result of which could (1) have a material adverse effect on the Contributed Interests or the Operating Partnership’s ownership thereof, or any Material Adverse Effect on any Contributed Entity or Property after the Closing Date or (2) cause any of the representations and warranties contained in this Section 2.2 to be untrue as of the Closing Date.
Prior to Closing As used herein, “Compensation” shall mean the direct salaries and wages and other aggregate compensation paid to or accrued for the benefit of any employee together with all fringe benefits payable to or accrued for the benefit of such employee as to which the employer is responsible, including, without limitation, employer contributions under F.I.C.A., fringe benefits, annual bonuses, unemployment compensation or other employment taxes, pension fund contributions, vacation pay, sick leave, worker’s compensation, group life and accidental and health premiums, and pension or profit sharing, retirement, disability and other similar benefits. Purchaser shall be responsible for and shall pay (i) all Compensation with respect to the operations of the Property on and after the date of Closing and (ii) all Compensation which is accrued but not payable as of the Closing and for which Purchaser is credited at Closing. For these purposes, vacation benefits, sick leave, annual bonuses and related payroll expenses of Hotel Employees (the “Supplemental Employee Expenses”) as of the Closing shall be treated as accrued and subject to proration solely (A) if vested and not subject to expiration if not used or termination in the event of the employee’s departure or (B) to the extent of 70% of any such accrued Supplemental Employee Expenses subject to later vesting or expiration if not used or termination in the event of the employee’s departure. With respect to accrued bonuses for 2006, Seller’s pro-rated share at Closing shall be based upon Operator’s reasonable estimate of the bonuses to be paid to such Hotel Employees for 2006. No later than March 31, 2007, or earlier upon the mutual agreement of the parties, the parties shall adjust Seller’s pro-rated share of the bonuses paid to the Hotel Employees for 2006 based upon the actual amounts of such bonuses (as shown by such supporting documentation as may be reasonably required by either party), and Purchaser or Seller, as the case may be, shall make such additional payment or refund as shall be required by such adjustment. Purchaser acknowledges that the New HMA shall initially afford the Hotel Employees continuation of all rights under Operator’s existing Section 401(k) plans and health care plans, as previously afforded under the Current HMA.
Covenants Pending Closing (a) From the date hereof until the Closing, each Contributor agrees that with respect to itself and not to any other Contributor, it shall not:
(i) Sell, transfer (or agree to sell or transfer) or otherwise dispose of, or cause the sale, transfer or disposition of (or agree to do any of the foregoing) all or any portion of its Company Interests; or
(ii) Mortgage, pledge or encumber (or permit to become encumbered) all or any portion of its Company Interests.
(b) From the date hereof through the Closing, each Contributor shall, to the extent within his or its control, cause the Company and the Entity to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and shall, to the extent within his or its control, not permit the Company or the Entity, without the prior written consent of Acquirer, to:
(i) Enter into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business of such entity:
(ii) Except as contemplated by the Second Contribution Agreement, sell, transfer or dispose of, or cause the sale, transfer or disposition of (or agree to do any of the foregoing) any assets of such entity, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(iii) Mortgage, pledge or encumber (or permit to become encumbered) any assets of such entity, except (A) liens for taxes not due, (B) purchase money security interests in the ordinary course of such entity's business, and (C) mechanics' liens being disputed by such entity in good faith and by appropriate proceeding in the ordinary course of such entity's business (provided such mechanics liens are released prior to or on the Closing Date at no cost to the Acquirer);
(iv) Amend, modify or terminate any Lease, contract or other instruments relating to the Property to which such entity is a party, except in the ordinary course of the entity's business consistent with past practice;
(v) Cause or permit the Entity to change the existing use of the Property;
(vi) Cause or permit any entity to enter into any new Lease or terminate any existing Lease except in the ordinary course of the entity's business consistent with past practice;
(vii) Cause or take any action that would render any of the representations or warranties regarding the Property as set forth herein untrue in any material respect;
(viii) Terminate or amend any existing insurance policies affecting the Property that results in a material reduction in insurance coverage for the Property;
(ix) Knowingly cause or permit the entity to violate or fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to cure any violation of any applicable laws;
(x) Materially alter the manner of keeping such entity's books, accounts or records or the accounting methods therein reflected; or
(xi) Make any distribution to its members except in the ordinary course of business of such entity, or as is contemplated by the Second Contribution Agreement.
(c) From the date hereof until the Closing Date, the Contributors will afford to the officers and authorized representatives of the Acquirer access to all of the Company's and the Entity's books and records and will furnish the Acquirer with such additional financial and operating data and other information as to the business and properties of the Company and the Entity as the Acquirer may from time to time reasonably request.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any failure by an Contributor to comply with or fulfill the covenants contained in this Section 3.1 shall not constitute an indemnifiable claim under Section 3.4 of this Agreement, but shall constitute an unfulfilled condition precedent pursuant to Section 5.1, provided such failure is identified to or otherwise becomes known to the Acquirer prior to Closing.
Operations Prior to Closing (a) Seller agrees to operate the Property between the Execution Date and the Closing Date in the same general manner as Seller has operated the Property during the immediately preceding six (6) month period, paying all costs and expenses as they come due, and in any event prior to Closing, and maintaining all insurance coverage currently in force.
(b) Seller shall comply with all of the obligations of landlord under the Leases and all other agreements and contractual arrangements affecting the Real Property by which Seller is bound or to which the Real Property, or any of them, are subject, and which will be binding upon Buyer or a lien upon such Real Property, after the Closing.
(c) Seller shall notify Buyer promptly of Seller's receipt of any notice from any party alleging that Seller is in default of its obligations under any of the Leases or any Permit or agreement affecting the Real Property, or any portion or portions thereof.
(d) No contract for or on behalf of or affecting the Real Property shall be negotiated or entered into which cannot be terminated by Seller upon the Closing without the payment of a specific charge, cost, penalty or premium for such termination.
(e) Except with the prior written consent of Buyer, which Buyer agrees it shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay, Seller shall not enter into any new leases for any portion of the Real Property. Any new lease shall be on Buyer's customary form (which may vary to reflect customary negotiated revisions thereto), or such other form which is reasonably acceptable to Buyer. Further, except with the prior written consent of Buyer, which Buyer agrees it shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay, or as set forth above, Seller shall not amend, extend (except where required under the terms of the Lease in question), terminate (except by reason of a tenant's default), accept surrender of, or permit any assignments or subleases of, any of the Leases (except as may be required under such Lease), nor accept any rental more than one (1) month in advance (exclusive of any security deposit).
(f) Seller shall not make or permit to be made any capital improvements or additions to the Real Property, or any portion thereof, without the prior written consent of Buyer, except those made by Seller pursuant to the express requirements of this Agreement, those made by tenants pursuant to the right to do so under their Leases, or by Seller if required by applicable law or ordinance, or as required under any Lease.
(g) Seller shall timely xxxx all tenants for all rent billable under Leases, and use commercially reasonable efforts to collect any rent in arrears.
(h) Seller shall notify Buyer of any tax assessment disputes (pending or threatened) prior to Closing, and from and after the Due Diligence Expiration Date, Seller not agree to any changes in the real estate tax assessment, nor settle, withdraw or otherwise compromise any pending claims with respect to tax assessments relating to the current or any subsequent year, without Buyer's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If any proceedings shall result in any reduction of assessment and/or tax for the tax year in which the Closing occurs, it is agreed that the amount of tax savings or refund for such tax year, less the reasonable fees and disbursements in connection with such proceedings, shall be apportioned between the parties as of the date real estate taxes are apportioned under this Agreement. All refunds relating to any tax year prior to the Closing shall be the sole property of Seller, and all refunds relating to any year subsequent to the year in which Closing occurs shall be the sole property of Buyer. Each party agrees to promptly remit to the other any refund received by it which is the property of the other.
(i) Seller shall notify Buyer promptly of the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) Receipt of notice from any governmental or quasi-governmental agency or authority or insurance underwriter relating to the condition, use or occupancy of the Real Property, or any portion thereof;
(ii) Receipt of any notice of default from any tenant or from the holder of any lien or security interest in or encumbering the Real Property, or any portion thereof;
(iii) Notice of any actual or threatened litigation against Seller or affecting or relating to the Real Property, or any portion thereof which may materially and adversely affect the Real Property or Seller's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(iv) Vacancy of any demised Property by a tenant, other than in accordance with a scheduled lease termination.
Conduct of Business Prior to the Closing (a) Without the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except (x) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Closing Agreements or the Restructuring, (y) as disclosed on Section 5.1 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or (z) as required by Law or Order, during the Pre-Closing Period, Seller shall cause the Sold Companies to conduct their businesses (other than in respect of the Legacy Defense Business, which shall not be subject to this Section 5.1(a)) in the ordinary course of business and, to the extent consistent therewith, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers, customers, and other third parties having material business relationships with the Sold Companies (other than in respect of the Legacy Defense Business, which shall not be subject to this Section 5.1(a)).
(b) In furtherance of Section 5.1(a), without the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except (x) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Closing Agreements or the Restructuring, (y) as disclosed on Section 5.1 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or (z) as required by Law or Order, during the Pre-Closing Period, Seller shall cause each Sold Company (other than in respect of any actions relating to the Legacy Defense Business, which shall not be subject to this Section 5.1(b)) not to (and in the case of Section 5.1(b)(ii)(B), Seller shall not):
(i) amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or comparable organizational documents;
(ii) (A) issue, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any shares of capital stock or other ownership interests, or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other ownership interests, in the Sold Companies, or (B) issue or grant any Seller Options;
(iii) reclassify, combine, split, subdivide, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock or ownership interests;
(iv) (A) incur any obligations or commitments to make any capital expenditures in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate following the Closing, or (B) cease to continue to make capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business;
(v) with respect to Company Products, make any material change in the selling, distribution, advertising, terms of sale or collection practices outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;
(vi) after the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital stock or other ownership interests of any of the Sold Companies or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or grant any rights or enter into any Contracts or commitments to repurchase, redeem or acquire, any outstanding shares of the capital stock or ownership interests of any of the Sold Companies;
(vii) acquire (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or any assets, other than purchases of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to existing Contracts made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof;
(viii) sell, lease, license, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) (A) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or (B) any Inventory, equipment, assets, rights or properties (including Intellectual Property) for consideration in excess of $50,000, or abandon or allow to expire any issued patent or material registration or application included in the Company-Owned Intellectual Property, in each case, other than (w) sales or dispositions of Inventory and licenses of products and services, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (x) pursuant to existing Contracts made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof, (y) non-exclusive licenses of Company-Owned Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business as necessary to make available the Company Products or (z) sales of dispositions of obsolete and worthless assets or scrap;
(ix) sell, lease, license, assign, pledge transfer, abandon, permit any Lien on or otherwise dispose of any Company-Owned Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Sold Companies, other than (x) non-exclusive licenses of Company-Owned Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business or (y) pursuant to existing Contracts made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof;
(x) modify, amend, terminate or waive any rights under any Material Contract in any material respect or enter into any new Contract that would be a Material Contract if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement;
(xi) acquire or obtain any license to any Intellectual Property or technology other than in the ordinary course of business (including commercially available computer software available or design tools on standard terms and in object-code form) for consideration not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate;
(xii) permit the loss, expiration or termination of any material license or right to any third party Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Sold Companies other than in the ordinary course of business;
(xiii) agree to by any exclusivity, non-competition, most favored nation, or similar provision or covenant restricting the Sold Companies from competing in any line of business or with any Person or in any area or engaging in any activity or business (including with respect to the development, manufacture, marketing or distribution of their respective products or services);
(xiv) disclose any material trade secrets or other material proprietary or confidential information of the Sold Companies to any Person not subject to a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement;
(xv) except in the ordinary course of business, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (other than in a Subsidiary or sister Subsidiary of such Person);
(xvi) except to the extent required under any Company Benefit Plan or Seller Benefit Plan in existence as of the date hereof or as required by applicable Law: (A) hire or terminate (other than for cause) any Business Employee who holds (or, if hired, would hold) the position of “vice president”, “director”, “manager”, “senior engineer”, “executive” or any other individual in a salary grade of 07 or higher or any individual consultant of the Sold Companies, except with respect to individual consultants who perform services for any of the Sold Companies whose aggregate fees are less than $100,000, (B) increase or establish, or commit to increase or establish, the compensation or benefits of any Business Employee or individual consultant of the Sold Companies, (C) establish, adopt, enter into, amend in any material respect or terminate any Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan, in each case, affecting any Business Employees, (D) accelerate the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefits under any Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan, in each case, with respect to any Business Employees, or (E) grant any cash bonus, incentive, performance or other incentive compensation to any Business Employee;
