Exemption from Registration; Valid Issuances The sale and issuance of the Shares, in accordance with the terms and on the bases of the representations and warranties of the undersigned set forth herein, may and shall be properly issued by the Company to the undersigned pursuant to any applicable federal or state law. When issued and paid for as herein provided, the Shares shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. Neither the sales of the Shares pursuant to, nor the Company's performance of its obligations under, this Agreement shall (a) result in the creation or imposition of any liens, charges, claims or other encumbrances upon the Shares or any of the assets of the Company, or (b) entitle the other holders of the Common Stock of the Company to preemptive or other rights to subscribe to or acquire the Common Stock or other securities of the Company. The Shares shall not subject the undersigned to personal liability by reason of the ownership thereof.
Exemption from Registration Subject to, and in reliance on, the representations, warranties and covenants made herein by the Investor, the offer and sale of the Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D; provided, however, that at the request of and with the express agreements of the Investor (including, without limitation, the representations, warranties and covenants of Investor set forth in Section 4.9 through 4.13), the Shares to be issued from and after Commencement to or for the benefit of the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued to the Investor or its designee only as DWAC Shares and will not bear legends noting restrictions as to resale of such securities under federal or state securities laws, nor will any such securities be subject to stop transfer instructions.
Registration on Request (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section 2.1, upon the written request of Holders (which request must be initiated by either Stonegate Securities, Inc. or any of its directors or officers who are Holders) owning at least 60,000 Registrable Securities (as appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and the like) (which request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities to be registered), the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible, notify all other Holders of such request (and allowing them to participate therein), and use its best efforts to effect the registration under tie Securities Act of the Registrable Securities of all Holders which the Company has been so requested to register.
(b) The Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any registration requested by the Holders pursuant to subsection (a) above (i) after two years from the date of this Warrant, or (ii) after the Company has effected one (1) registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 and such registration has been declared or ordered effective.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, a registration requested pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall not be deemed to have been effected (i) unless it has become effective and remains effective for at least 180 days; provided, however, that a registration which does not become effective after the Company has filed a registration statement with respect thereto solely by reason of the refusal by a requesting Holder, in its sole discretion, to proceed with such registration shall be deemed to have been effected by the Company at the request of the Holders unless the requesting Holder shall have elected to pay all Company Registration Expenses (as defined in Section 4 below) in connection with such registration, (ii) if after it has become effective such registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other governmental agency or court for any reason other than a misrepresentation or an omission by any participating Holder, or (iii) if the conditions to closing specified in the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied other than by reason of some wrongful act or omission, or act or omission in bad faith, by any participating Holder.
(d) The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 within 90 days after the effective date of any underwritten public offering by the Company (which period may be extended up to an additional 90 days if, and only to the extent that, all directors, executive officers and other persons with registration rights with respect to securities of the Company are required to execute standard lockup agreements with the underwriters in such public offering) or of any previous registration withdrawn at the request of the requesting Holders. The Company may postpone for up to 90 days the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 if the financial advisor and/or underwriter to the Company certifies to the holders of the Registrable Securities that such registration would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company; provided, however, that in such event the Holders of Registrable Securities requesting such Registration shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such Registration shall not count as the one permitted registration under this Section 2.1 and the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such postponed or withdrawn registration. Notwithstanding the above, the Company may delay a demand registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 only once in any twelve month period. In addition, upon written notice from the Company to Holder of the effectiveness of an underwritten public offering, Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities under any registration statement effected under this Section 2.1 for a period of thirty (30) days following such effective date.
Registration Requirements The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the resale of the Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate qualification under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act) as would permit or facilitate the resale of all the Registrable Securities in the manner (including manner of sale) and in all states reasonably requested by the Holder. Such reasonable best efforts by the Company shall include, without limitation, the following:
(a) The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible after the filing of the Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, including the filing of a Form 10-K/A containing a management report and an auditor’s report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting within the time permitted under Exchange Act Release No. 50754 (November 30, 2004) (collectively, the “Company’s 2004 10-K”):
(i) But in any event within 30 days of the filing of the Company’s 2004 10-K, prepare and file a registration statement with the Commission pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act on Form S-3 under the Securities Act (or in the event that the Company is ineligible to use such form, such other form as the Company is eligible to use under the Securities Act provided that such other form shall be converted into an S-3 promptly after Form S-3 becomes available to the Company) covering resales by the Holders as selling stockholders (not underwriters) of the Registrable Securities (the “Registration Statement”). The number of shares of Common Stock initially included in such Registration Statement shall be no less than the sum of (A) the Shares and (B) the Warrant Shares issuable upon full exercise of the Warrant. Thereafter the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement and other filings to be declared effective as soon as possible, and in any event prior to 90 days (or, if the SEC elects to review the Registration Statement, 180 days) following the filing of the Company’s 2004 10-K (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). Without limiting the foregoing, the Company will promptly respond to all SEC comments, inquiries and requests, and shall request acceleration of effectiveness at the earliest possible date. The Company shall provide the Holders reasonable opportunity to review the portions of any such Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto containing disclosure regarding the Holders prior to filing.
(ii) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement and notify the Holders of the filing and effectiveness of such Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements.
(iii) Furnish to each Holder such numbers of copies of a current prospectus conforming with the requirements of the Act, copies of the Registration Statement, any amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably require in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by such Holder.
(iv) Register and qualify the securities covered by such Registration Statement under the securities or “blue sky” laws of all domestic jurisdictions, to the extent required; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.
(v) Notify each Holder immediately of the happening of any event (but not the substance or details of any such events unless specifically requested by a Holder) as a result of which the prospectus (including any supplements thereto or thereof) included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and use its reasonable best efforts to promptly update and/or correct such prospectus.
(vi) Notify each Holder immediately of the issuance by the Commission or any state securities commission or agency of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the threat or initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
(vii) Permit counsel to the Holders to review the Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto within a reasonable period of time (but not less than two (2) full Trading Days) prior to each filing and will not request acceleration of the Registration Statement without prior notice to such counsel.
(viii) List the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement on the principal securities exchange and/or market on which the Common Stock is then listed and prepare and file any required filings with such principal market or exchange.
(b) In the event the Registration Statement has become effective and, afterwards, any Holder’s ability to sell Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement is suspended for more than (i) 45 days in any 90-day period or (ii) 90 days in any calendar year, including without limitation by reason of any suspension or stop order with respect to the Registration Statement or the fact that an event has occurred as a result of which the prospectus (including any supplements thereto) included in such Registration Statement then in effect includes an untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, then the Company shall take such action as may be necessary to amend or supplement such Registration Statement or prospectus such that such Registration Statement or prospectus, as so amended, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements not misleading.
(c) If the Holder(s) intend to distribute the Registrable Securities by means of an underwriting, the Holder(s) shall so advise the Company. Any such underwriting may only be administered by nationally or regionally recognized investment bankers reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
(d) The Company shall enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement containing such representations and warranties by the Company and such other terms and provisions, as are customarily contained in underwriting agreements for comparable offerings and are reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and take all such other actions as the Holder or the underwriters participating in such offering and sale may reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate such offering and sale other than such actions which are disruptive to the Company or require significant management availability.
(e) The Company shall make available for inspection by the Holders, representative(s) of all the Holders together, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant retained by any Holder or underwriter, all financial and other records customary for purposes of the Holders’ due diligence examination of the Company and review of any Registration Statement, all documents filed with the SEC subsequent to the Closing, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement, provided that such parties agree to keep such information confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing right shall not extend to any Holder (i) who is not a financial investor or entity or (ii) who, itself or through any affiliate, has any strategic business interest that would reasonably be expected to be in conflict with any business of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(f) The Company may suspend the use of any prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement only in the event, and for such period of time as, (i) such a suspension is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission or (ii) it is determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company that because of valid business reasons (not including the avoidance of the Company’s obligations hereunder), it is in the best interests of the Company to suspend such use, and prior to suspending such use in accordance with this clause (ii) the Company provides the Holders with written notice of such suspension, which notice need not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such suspension. The Company will use reasonable best efforts to cause such suspension to terminate at the earliest possible date.
(g) The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period (as defined below), and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(h)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the 1934 Act, the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement such Registration Statement.
(h) Each Holder agrees by its acquisition of the Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Sections 5.2(a)(v) or 5.2(a)(vi), and upon notice of any suspension under Section 5.2(f), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement contemplated by Section 5.2, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or Registration Statement. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this paragraph.
(i) If requested by a Holder, the Company shall (i) as soon as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as a Holder reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) as soon as practicable make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) as soon as practicable, supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by a Holder holding any Registrable Securities.
No Registration Required Subject to compliance by the Initial Purchasers with the representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 hereof and with the procedures set forth in Section 7 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum to register the Securities under the Securities Act or, until such time as the Exchange Securities are issued pursuant to an effective registration statement, to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).
Registration and Transfer of Securities All Securities held for the Fund that are issued or issuable only in bearer form shall be held by the Custodian in that form, provided that any such Securities shall be held in a Book-Entry System if eligible therefor. All other Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, the Custodian, a Sub-Custodian or any nominee thereof, or in the name of a Book-Entry System, Securities Depository or any nominee of either thereof. The records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Fund that are maintained with a Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund. The Trust shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of any of the nominees referred to above or in the name of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, any Securities registered in the name of the Fund.
Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order During the period from and after the execution of this Agreement to and including the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable:
(i) the Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission (including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing the information required by such Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective; and
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission.
Compliance with Securities Law Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of Stock (including Restricted Shares) will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state, or foreign law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state, or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), is at the time of issuance in effect with respect to the shares issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issued may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Award will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained. As a condition to any issuance hereunder, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company. From time to time, the Board and appropriate officers of the Company are authorized to take the actions necessary and appropriate to file required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges, and other appropriate Persons to make shares of Stock available for issuance.
Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No Objection from FINRA For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and through and including the First Closing Date and, with respect to any Optional Shares purchased after the First Closing Date, each Option Closing Date:
(i) The Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission (including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing the information required by such Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective.
(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission.
(iii) FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
