No Solicitation by the Company (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.3, until the earlier of the Effective Time and the date of termination of this Agreement, neither the Company, nor any of its subsidiaries or any of the officers, directors, agents, representatives or affiliates of it or its subsidiaries (including any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its subsidiaries) shall (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of furnishing information), or take any other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal which constitutes a Company Takeover Proposal (as defined below), (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any Company Takeover Proposal, (iii) enter into any agreement regarding any Company Takeover Proposal or (iv) make or authorize any statement, recommendation or solicitation in support of any Company Takeover Proposal. If and only to the extent that (i) the Company Stockholders Meeting shall not have occurred, (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that it is necessary to do so in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable law, (iii) the Company's Board of Directors concludes in good faith that such Company Takeover Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal (as defined below), (iv) such Company Takeover Proposal was not solicited by it and did not otherwise result from a breach of this Section 4.3(a), and (v) the Company provides prior written notice to Parent of its decision to take such action, the Company shall be permitted to (A) furnish information with respect to the Company and any of its subsidiaries to such person pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement, (B) participate in discussions and negotiations with such person, (C) subject to first complying with the provisions of Section 5.8(b) hereof, enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement and (D) effect a Change in the Company Recommendation (as defined below); provided, that at least five business days prior to taking any actions set forth in clause (C) or (D) above, the Company's Board of Directors provides Parent written notice advising Parent that the Company's Board of Directors is prepared to conclude that such Company Takeover Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal and during such five business day period the Company and its advisors shall have negotiated in good faith with Parent to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement such that such Company Takeover Proposal would no longer constitute a Company Superior Proposal and the Company's Board of Directors fully considers any such adjustment and nonetheless concludes in good faith that such Company Takeover Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal. The Company, its subsidiaries and their representatives immediately shall cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal.
No Solicitation by Parent (a) From and after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time or if earlier, the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VIII, Parent will, and will cause its Subsidiaries and instruct and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Representatives to immediately cease, and cause to be terminated, any discussion or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives with respect to a Parent Competing Proposal.
(b) Except as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.4, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time or if earlier, the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VIII, Parent will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries and will instruct and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage the making of a Parent Competing Proposal, (ii) engage in any discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to a Parent Competing Proposal, (iii) furnish any non-public information regarding Parent or its Subsidiaries, or access to the properties, assets or employees of Parent or its Subsidiaries, to any Person in connection with or in response to a Parent Competing Proposal, (iv) enter into any binding or nonbinding letter of intent or agreement in principle, or other agreement providing for a Parent Competing Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement as provided in Section 6.4(d)(ii)), or (v) withdraw, modify or qualify, or propose publicly to withdraw, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to the Company, the Parent Board Recommendation or publicly recommend the approval or adoption of, or publicly approve or adopt, any Parent Competing Proposal (the taking of any action described in clause (v) of this Section 6.4(b) being referred to as a “Parent Change of Recommendation”).
(c) From and after the date of this Agreement, Parent shall advise the Company of the receipt by Parent of any Parent Competing Proposal made on or after the date of this Agreement or any request for non-public information or data relating to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries made by any Person in connection with a Parent Competing Proposal or any request for discussions or negotiations with Parent or a Representative of Parent relating to a Parent Competing Proposal (in each case within two Business Days thereof), and Parent shall provide to the Company (within such two Business Day time frame) either (i) a copy of any such Parent Competing Proposal made in writing or by electronic transmission provided to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) a written summary of the material terms of such Parent Competing Proposal, if not made in writing or by electronic transmission. Parent shall keep the Company reasonably informed on a current basis with respect to the status and material terms of any such Parent Competing Proposal and any material changes to the status of any such discussions or negotiations.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Parent, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Representatives, may:
(i) make such disclosures as the Parent Board or any committee thereof determines in good faith are necessary to comply with Rule 14e-2(a), Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A and Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act or other applicable securities laws; provided, however, that none of Parent, the Parent Board or any committee thereof shall, except as expressly permitted by Section 6.4(d)(iii) or Section 6.4(e), effect a Parent Change of Recommendation in any disclosure document or communication filed or publicly issued or made in conjunction with the compliance with such requirements;
(ii) prior to the receipt of the Parent Stockholder Approval, engage in the activities prohibited by Sections 6.4(b)(ii) and 6.4(b)(iii) with any Person if (A) Parent receives a written, bona fide Parent Competing Proposal from such Person that was not solicited at any time following the execution of this Agreement and (B) such Parent Competing Proposal did not arise from a material breach of the obligations set forth in this Section 6.4; provided, however, that (1) no non-public information that is prohibited from being furnished pursuant to Section 6.4(b) may be furnished until Parent receives an executed confidentiality agreement from such Person containing limitations on the use and disclosure of nonpublic information furnished to such Person by or on behalf of Parent that are no less favorable to Parent in the aggregate than the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, as determined by the Parent Board in good faith after consultation with its outside legal counsel; provided, further, that such confidentiality agreement does not contain provisions that prohibit Parent from complying with the provisions of this Section 6.4, and (2) prior to taking any such actions, the Parent Board or any committee thereof determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that such Parent Competing Proposal is, or is reasonably expected to lead to, a Parent Superior Proposal;
(iii) prior to receipt of the Parent Stockholder Approval, in response to a bona fide written Parent Competing Proposal from a third party that was not solicited at any time following the execution of this Agreement and did not arise from a material breach of the obligations set forth in this Section 6.4, if the Parent Board so chooses, cause Parent to effect a Parent Change of Recommendation, if prior to taking such action (A) the Parent Board determines in good faith after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel that such Parent Competing Proposal is a Parent Superior Proposal (taking into account any adjustment to the terms and conditions of the Merger proposed by the Company in response to such Parent Competing Proposal); and (B) Parent shall have given notice to the Company that Parent has received such proposal in accordance with Section 6.4(c), specifying the material terms and conditions of such proposal, and, that Parent intends to take such action, and either (1) the Company shall not have proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of this Agreement prior to the earlier to occur of the scheduled time for the Parent Stockholders Meeting and the third Business Day after the date on which such notice is given to the Company, or (2) if the Company within the period described in the foregoing clause (1) shall have proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of this Agreement in a manner that would form a binding contract if accepted by Parent, the Parent Board, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, shall have determined in good faith that the Parent Competing Proposal remains a Parent Superior Proposal with respect to the Company’s revised proposal; provided, however, that each time material modifications to the financial terms of a Parent Competing Proposal determined to be a Parent Superior Proposal are made, the time period set forth in this clause (B) prior to which Parent may effect a Parent Change of Recommendation or terminate this Agreement shall be extended for two Business Days after notification of such change to the Company; and
(iv) prior to receipt of the Parent Stockholder Approval, seek clarification from (but not engage in negotiations with or provide non-public information to) any Person that has made a Parent Competing Proposal that was not solicited at any time following the execution of this Agreement solely to clarify and understand the terms and conditions of such proposal to provide adequate information for the Parent Board or any committee thereof to make an informed determination under Section 6.4(d)(ii).
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Parent Board shall be permitted, at any time prior to the receipt of the Parent Stockholder Approval, other than in response to a Parent Competing Proposal (which is addressed in Section 6.4(d)(iii)), to make a Parent Change of Recommendation if, prior to taking such action, (i) the Parent Board determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its legal duties as directors under applicable Law and (ii) Parent shall have given notice to the Company that Parent intends to effect a Parent Change of Recommendation (which notice will reasonably describe the reasons for such Parent Change of Recommendation), and either (A) the Company shall not have proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of this Agreement prior to the earlier to occur of the scheduled time for the Parent Stockholders Meeting and the third Business Day after the date on which such notice is given to the Company, or (B) if the Company within the period described in the foregoing clause (A) shall have proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Parent Board, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, shall have determined in good faith that such proposed changes do not obviate the need for the Parent Board to effect a Parent Change of Recommendation and that the failure to make a Parent Change of Recommendation would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its legal duties as directors under applicable Law.
Company Board Recommendation (a) Subject to the terms of Section 6.3(b) and Section 6.3(c), the Company Board shall recommend that the holders of Company Shares accept the Offer, tender their Company Shares to Acquisition Sub pursuant to the Offer and, if required by the applicable provisions of Delaware Law, adopt this Agreement (the “Company Board Recommendation”).
(b) Neither the Company Board nor any committee thereof shall (i) fail to make the Company Board Recommendation to the holders of the Company Shares, (ii) withhold, withdraw, amend or modify in a manner adverse to Parent, or publicly propose to withhold, withdraw, amend or modify in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company Board Recommendation, (iii) adopt, approve, recommend, endorse or otherwise declare advisable the adoption of any Acquisition Proposal (it being understood that, only with respect to a tender offer or exchange offer, taking a neutral position or no position (other than in a communication made in compliance with Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) with respect to any Acquisition Proposal shall be considered a breach of this clause (iii)), or (iv) resolve, agree or publicly propose to take any such actions (each such foregoing action or failure to act in clauses (i) through (iv) being referred to herein as an “Company Board Recommendation Change”). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if, at any time prior to the Appointment Time, the Company Board receives a Superior Proposal or there occurs an Intervening Event, the Company Board may effect a Company Board Recommendation Change provided that (i) the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) that the failure to effect a Company Board Recommendation Change would reasonably be expected to be a breach of its fiduciary duties to the Company Stockholders under applicable Delaware Law, and in the case of a Superior Proposal, the Company Board approves or recommends such Superior Proposal; (ii) the Company has notified Parent in writing that it intends to effect a Company Board Recommendation Change, describing in reasonable detail the reasons, including the material terms and conditions of any such Superior Proposal and a copy of the final form of any related agreements or a description in reasonable detail of such Intervening Event, as the case may be, for such Company Board Recommendation Change (a “Recommendation Change Notice”) (it being understood that the Recommendation Change Notice shall not constitute a Company Board Recommendation Change for purposes of this Agreement); (iii) if requested by Parent, the Company shall have made its Representatives available to discuss and negotiate in good faith with Parent’s Representatives any proposed modifications to the terms and conditions of this Agreement during the three (3) Business Day period following delivery by the Company to Parent of such Recommendation Change Notice; and (iv) if Parent shall have delivered to the Company a written proposal capable of being accepted by the Company to alter the terms or conditions of this Agreement during such three (3) Business Day period, the Company Board shall have determined in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel), after considering the terms of such proposal by Parent, that a Company Board Recommendation Change is still necessary in light of such Superior Proposal or Intervening Event in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to the Company Stockholders under applicable Delaware Law. Any material amendment or modification to any Superior Proposal will be deemed to be a new Superior Proposal for purposes of this Section 6.3. The Company shall keep confidential any proposals made by Parent to revise the terms of this Agreement, other than in the event of any amendment to this Agreement and to the extent required to be disclosed in any Company SEC Reports.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company Board from (i) taking and disclosing to the Company Stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act or complying with the provisions of Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and (ii) making any disclosure to the Company Stockholders that the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel) that the failure to make such disclosure would reasonably be expected to be a breach of its fiduciary duties to the Company Stockholders under applicable Delaware Law; provided, however, that in no event shall this Section 6.3(c) affect the obligations of the Company set forth in Sections 6.2 and 6.3; and provided, further, that any such disclosure will be deemed to be a Company Board Recommendation Change unless the Board of Directors publicly reaffirms the Company Board Recommendation within five Business Days of such disclosure.
Change of Recommendation (i) Notwithstanding Section 5.2(a), in response to the receipt of a Superior Offer that has not been withdrawn, the Board of Directors of the Company may withhold, withdraw, amend, modify, qualify or condition in a manner adverse to Acquiror its Recommendation, and in the case of a Superior Offer that is a tender or exchange offer, recommend that its shareholders accept the tender or exchange offer (any of the foregoing actions, whether by a Board of Directors or a committee thereof, a “Change of Recommendation”), if all of the following conditions in clauses (1) through (5) are met:
(1) The Scheme Meeting has not occurred;
(2) It shall have (A) provided Acquiror with written notice of its intention to effect a Change of Recommendation (a “Change of Recommendation Notice”) at least five (5) business days prior to effecting a Change of Recommendation that relates to (i) a Superior Offer or (ii) any material change to the terms of a Superior Offer to which a previous Change of Recommendation Notice applies, which notice shall state expressly (I) that it has received a Superior Offer, (II) the material terms and conditions of the Superior Offer and the identity of the Person or group making the Superior Offer, and (III) that it intends to effect a Change of Recommendation and the manner in which it intends to do so (it being understood and agreed that such notice and such statement shall not constitute a Change of Recommendation), (B) provided to Acquiror a copy of all materials and information delivered or made available to the Person or group making the Superior Offer or any of its Representatives and (C) provided Acquiror with the opportunity to meet and discuss a modification of the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the transactions contemplated hereby may be effected and so that the transaction theretofore determined to be a Superior Offer no longer constitutes a Superior Offer;
(3) Either (A) on or before the expiration of the five (5) business day period following the delivery to Acquiror of any Change of Recommendation Notice, Acquiror does not make a written offer, which shall be binding and enforceable against Acquiror and capable of acceptance by the Company (a “Matching Bid”), in response to such Superior Offer, or (B) following receipt of a Matching Bid within the five (5) business day period following the delivery to Acquiror of any Change of Recommendation Notice, the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith (at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company at which it consults prior to such determination with its outside legal counsel and its financial advisors (including the Independent Financial Advisor)) that after taking into account the Matching Bid, that the Superior Offer to which the Change of Recommendation Notice applies continues to be a Superior Offer;
(4) Its Board of Directors has concluded in good faith, following consultation with its outside legal counsel, that, in light of such Superior Offer and after taking into consideration the Matching Bid, if any, the failure of the Board of Directors to effect a Change of Recommendation would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Legal Requirements; and
(5) It shall not have materially breached any of the provisions set forth in this Section 5.4 (including Section 5.4(b)) in connection with such Acquisition Proposal.
(ii) In addition, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, at any time prior to obtaining the approval of the shareholders of the Company of this Agreement and the Scheme of Arrangement, the Board of Directors of the Company may, in response to a material development or change in circumstances occurring, arising or coming to the attention of such Board of Directors after the date hereof (and not relating to any Acquisition Proposal) (such material development or change in circumstances, an “Intervening Event”), make a Change of Recommendation if such Board of Directors has concluded in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal advisors, that, in light of such Intervening Event, the failure of such Board of Directors to effect such a Change of Recommendation would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Legal Requirements; provided, however, that (A) the Company shall send to Acquiror written notice of its intention to effect a Change of Recommendation, specifying in reasonable detail the reasons therefor, at least five (5) business days prior to effecting a Change of Recommendation, (B) the Company shall provide Acquiror with an opportunity to meet and discuss the basis for a Change of Recommendation, Acquiror’s reaction thereto and any possible modification to the terms and conditions of this Agreement in response thereto so that the transactions contemplated hereby may be effected and (C) after such discussions, the Board of Directors of the Company concludes, after consultation with its outside legal advisors, that the failure to effect a Change of Recommendation would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Legal Requirements.
(iii) The Board of Directors of the Company shall not make any Change of Recommendation other than in compliance with and as permitted by this Section 5.4(d).
Board Recommendation The Acquiror Company Board, by unanimous written consent, has determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of the Acquiror Company’s stockholders and has duly authorized this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
No Change in Recommendation or Alternative Acquisition Agreement The board of directors of the Company and each committee of the board of directors shall not:
(i) (A) withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify (or publicly propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify), in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company Recommendation (B) fail to include the Company Recommendation in the Proxy Statement, (C) approve, recommend or otherwise declare advisable or propose or resolve to approve, recommend or otherwise declare advisable (publicly or otherwise), any Acquisition Proposal, or (D) fail to publicly reaffirm the Company Recommendation within ten business days after Parent so requests in writing (provided, that Parent shall be entitled to make such a written request for reaffirmation only once for each Acquisition Proposal and once for each material amendment to such Acquisition Proposal) (any action described in clauses (A) and (D) a “Change of Recommendation”); or
(ii) Except as expressly permitted by, and after compliance with this Section 6.2(d), cause or permit the Company to enter into any Alternative Acquisition Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, prior to the time, but not after, the Company Requisite Vote is obtained, the board of directors of the Company (x) may make a Change of Recommendation and in connection therewith, approve, recommend or otherwise declare advisable, and enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement in connection with a Superior Proposal made after the date of this Agreement (if such Superior Proposal did not result from a material breach of Section 6.2(a) and such Superior Proposal is not withdrawn) or (y) may make a Change of Recommendation as a result of the occurrence of an Intervening Event, if, the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to do so would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided, however, that the board of directors of the Company shall not (i) in the case of clause (x) make a Change of Recommendation with respect to a Superior Proposal and authorize the Company to enter into any Alterative Acquisition Agreement or (ii) in the case of clause (y) make a Change of Recommendation unless:
(i) the Company has notified Parent in writing that it intends to effect a Change of Recommendation, describing in reasonable detail the reasons for such Change of Recommendation (a “Recommendation Change Notice”) (it being agreed that the Recommendation Change Notice and any amendment or update to such notice and the determination to so deliver such notice, or update or amend public disclosures with respect thereto shall not constitute a Change of Recommendation for purposes of this Agreement), and if such proposed Change of Recommendation relates to an Acquisition Proposal, has provided copies of the most current version of all documents relating to such Acquisition Proposal, and if such proposed Change of Recommendation relates to an Intervening Event, such Recommendation Change Notice specifies the facts and circumstances of such Intervening Event; and
(ii) (x) if requested by Parent, the Company shall have made its Representatives available to discuss and negotiate in good faith with Parent and its Representatives any proposed modifications to the terms and conditions of this Agreement during the three business days following the date on which the Recommendation Change Notice is delivered to Parent and (y) if Parent shall have delivered to the Company a written, binding and irrevocable offer to alter the terms or conditions of this Agreement during such three business day period, the board of directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, after considering the terms of such offer by Parent, that the failure to effect a Change of Recommendation would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, and that in the case of a Change of Recommendation with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, such Acquisition Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if the changes offered by Parent were given effect, and that in the case of an Intervening Event, the board of directors of the Company still intends to effect a Change of Recommendation if the changes offered by Parent were given effect; provided that in the event the Acquisition Proposal is thereafter modified by the party making such Acquisition Proposal, the Company shall notify Parent in writing of such modified Acquisition Proposal and shall again comply with the requirements of this clause (ii).
No Solicitation or Negotiation Subject to the terms of Section 5.3(b), Section 5.3(d) and Section 5.3(f), from the date hereof until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX and the Closing, the Company will (1) cease and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Person and its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other advisors or representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) that would be prohibited by this Section 5.3(a) and (2) terminate all physical and electronic data room access previously granted to any such Person, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives. Subject to the terms of Section 5.3(b), Section 5.3(d) and Section 5.3(f), from the date hereof until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX and the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries will not, and will cause their respective directors, officers and employees and will instruct their other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate or propose the making, submission or announcement of, or knowingly encourage, induce, facilitate or assist, an Acquisition Proposal or any inquiries or the making of any proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal; (ii) furnish to any Person (other than the Purchaser, the Other Purchasers (solely with respect to the Other Transactions) or their respective Representatives) any non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or afford to any Person access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or other non-public information, or to any personnel, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in any such case to knowingly encourage, facilitate or assist, an Acquisition Proposal or any inquiries or the making of any proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal; (iii) participate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (other than informing such Persons of the provisions contained in this Section 5.3 or contacting such Person making any unsolicited Acquisition Proposal to clarify the terms and conditions thereof); (iv) approve, endorse or recommend an Acquisition Proposal; or (v) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other Contract relating to an Acquisition Transaction, other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement (any such letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other Contract relating to an Acquisition Transaction, an “Alternative Acquisition Agreement”). From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX and the Closing, the Company will not be required to enforce, and will be permitted to waive, any provision of any standstill or confidentiality agreement solely to permit a confidential proposal being made to the Company Board (or any committee thereof) if the failure to do so would be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties pursuant to applicable Law. For purposes of this Section 5.3, the Company agrees that any breach of this Section 5.3 by the Company’s Representatives shall constitute a breach of this Section 5.3 by the Company.
No Solicitation of Other Offers (a) The Stockholder shall, and shall cause its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, representatives, consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other agents to, immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any other parties that may be ongoing with respect to any Acquisition Proposal in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Stockholder agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, take (and shall not permit its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, representatives, consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants or other agents, to so take) any action to (i) solicit, initiate or encourage the making of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) participate in any way in discussions or negotiations with, or furnish or disclose any information to, any Person (other than Orix or the agents or representatives of Orix) in connection with, or take any other action to encourage any inquiries or the making of any proposal that is reasonably expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, (iv) withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Orix, the approval of the Merger Agreement, the Merger or the purchase of any Stock under the Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 21, 1999 or (v) approve or propose to approve, any Acquisition Proposal.
(b) In addition to the obligations of the Stockholder set forth in Section 4(a) hereof, promptly after receipt thereof, the Stockholder agrees that it shall advise Orix of any request for information or of any Acquisition Proposal, or any inquiry, proposal, discussions or negotiation with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, the terms and conditions of such request, Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal, discussion or negotiation and the Stockholder shall promptly provide to Orix copies of any written materials received by the Stockholder in connection with any of the foregoing, and the identity of the Person making any such Acquisition Proposal or such request, inquiry or proposal or with whom any discussion or negotiation are taking place.
No Solicitation The Stockholder shall, and shall cause its affiliates that it controls and its and its controlled affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, financial and other advisors or other representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, or induce the making, submission or announcement of, an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) furnish to any Person (other than Customers or any designees of Customers) any non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person (other than Customers), or take any other action intended to assist or facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (other than to notify such Person as to the existence of this provision), (iv) approve, endorse or recommend an Acquisition Proposal, (v) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other agreement, contract or arrangement contemplating or otherwise relating to an acquisition transaction, otherwise than pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, or (vi) terminate, amend or waive any rights under any “standstill” or other similar agreement between the Stockholder and any Person (other than Customers). The Stockholder shall immediately cease any and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any persons (other than Customers and its affiliates and representatives) conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Stockholder acknowledges and hereby agrees that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 6 by the Stockholder or any representatives of the Stockholder shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 6 by the Stockholder. The Stockholder shall not enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any agreement contemplating or otherwise relating to an Acquisition Proposal unless and until this Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms.
No Solicitation of Employees In partial consideration for the award of these Units, in order to forestall the disclosure or use of Confidential Information, as well as to deter the Grantee’s intentional interference with the contractual relations of the Company or any Affiliated Company, the Grantee’s intentional interference with prospective economic advantage of the Company or any Affiliated Company, and to promote fair competition, the Grantee agrees that the Grantee’s right to receive the Shares upon settlement of the Units is contingent upon the Grantee refraining, during the Period of Restriction and for a period of one (1) year after the Settlement Date, for himself/herself or any third party, directly or indirectly, from soliciting for employment any person employed by the Company, or by any Affiliated Company, during the period of the solicited person’s employment and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of the solicited person’s employment with the Company or any Affiliated Company (collectively “Solicit”). If, during the term of the Period of Restriction or at any time within one (1) year after the Settlement Date, the Grantee breaches his/her obligation not to Solicit, the Grantee’s right to the Shares upon settlement of the Units shall not have been earned and the Units, whether vested or not, will be immediately cancelled, and the Grantee shall immediately return to the Company the Shares issued in settlement of the Units or the pre-tax income derived from any disposition of such Shares. THE GRANTEE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS PARAGRAPH IS NOT INTENDED TO AND DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE CONDUCT DESCRIBED, BUT PROVIDES FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE UNITS AND A RETURN TO THE COMPANY OF THE SHARES OR THE GROSS TAXABLE PROCEEDS OF THE SHARES IF THE GRANTEE SHOULD CHOOSE TO VIOLATE THIS NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES PROVISION DURING THE PERIOD OF RESTRICTION OR WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE SETTLEMENT DATE.