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 of Other Bids (a) None of the Sellers during the Pre-Closing Period shall and none of them shall authorize nor permit any of its Affiliates (including the Company) or any of its or their Representatives to, directly or indirectly, (i) encourage, solicit, initiate, facilitate or continue inquiries regarding an Acquisition Proposal; (ii) enter into discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any Person concerning a possible Acquisition Proposal; or (iii) enter into any agreements or other instruments (whether or not binding) regarding an Acquisition Proposal. Sellers shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated, and shall cause each of their Affiliates (including the Company) and all of their Representatives to immediately cease and cause to be terminated, all existing discussions or negotiations with any Persons conducted heretofore with respect to, or that could lead to, an Acquisition Proposal.
(b) In addition to the other obligations under this Section 6.03, Sellers shall promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days after receipt thereof by any of the Sellers or any of their Representatives) advise Buyer orally and in writing of any Acquisition Proposal, any request for information with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such request or Acquisition Proposal.
(c) Each of the Sellers agrees that the rights and remedies for noncompliance with this Section 6.03 shall include having such provision specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to Buyer and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy to Buyer.
No Solicitation; Other Offers (a) Neither Siebel nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries authorize or permit any of its or their officers, directors, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants or other agents, representatives or advisors (the “Siebel Representatives”) to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, knowingly facilitate or knowingly encourage the submission of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into or participate in any discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public information relating to Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries to or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries to any Third Party that has made, or has informed Siebel that it is seeking to make, an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) grant any Third Party waiver or release under any standstill or similar agreement with respect to any class of equity securities of Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries or amend or terminate the Siebel Rights Plan or redeem the Siebel Rights or (iv) enter into any agreement (except for confidentiality agreements, referred to in Section 6.04(b)) with any Third Party with respect to an Acquisition Proposal made by such Third Party, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Siebel (through one or more of the Siebel Representatives) or its Board of Directors may, prior to the Siebel Stockholder Approval, (i) engage in negotiations or discussions with any Third Party (or with the representatives of any Third Party) that has made an Acquisition Proposal not solicited in violation of Section 6.03(a) if such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (such Third Party, a “Qualified Third Party”), (ii) furnish to such Qualified Third Party or its representatives non-public information relating to Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an executed confidentiality agreement containing customary nondisclosure provisions (which need not include “standstill ” or similar provisions) (and a copy of which shall be promptly (in all events within 24 hours) provided for informational purposes only to Oracle), (iii) grant a waiver or release under any standstill or similar agreement with respect to any class of equity securities of Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) amend or terminate the Siebel Rights Plan or redeem the Siebel Rights, (v) withdraw the Siebel Board Recommendation or modify the Siebel Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to Oracle (any such action, a “Change in Recommendation”), (vi) terminate this Agreement pursuant to and subject to the terms of Section 9.01(d) and/or (vii) take any action that any court of competent jurisdiction orders Siebel, one or more of the Siebel Representatives or the Board of Directors of Siebel to take, but in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) only if the Board of Directors of Siebel determines in good faith by a majority vote, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Law. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Board of Directors of Siebel from complying with Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 and Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A under the 1934 Act with regard to an Acquisition Proposal; provided that the Board of Directors of Siebel shall not recommend that Siebel’s stockholders tender shares of capital stock in connection with any tender or exchange offer unless such Board of Directors shall have determined in good faith by a majority vote, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to make such recommendation would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.
(c) The Board of Directors of Siebel shall not take any of the actions referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) of the preceding subsection unless Siebel shall have delivered to Oracle a prior written notice advising Oracle that it intends to take such action. In addition, Siebel shall notify Oracle promptly (but in no event later than 24 hours) after an officer or director first obtains Knowledge of the receipt by Siebel (or any of the Siebel Representatives) of any Acquisition Proposal, any inquiry that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, or any request for confidential information relating to Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries or for access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of Siebel or any of its Subsidiaries by any Third Party that has informed Siebel that it is considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal. Siebel shall provide such notice orally and in writing and shall identify the Third Party making, and the material terms and conditions of, any such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry or request. Siebel shall promptly provide Oracle with any non-public information concerning Siebel’s business, present or future performance, financial condition or results of operations, provided to any Qualified Third Party after the date of this Agreement in connection with an Acquisition Proposal made by such Third Party that was not previously provided to Oracle. Siebel shall keep Oracle promptly and reasonably informed, on a reasonably current basis, of the status and material details of any such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry or request. Siebel shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and the Siebel Representatives to, cease immediately and cause to be terminated any and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations, if any, with any Third Party with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and shall instruct any such Third Party (or its agents or advisors) in possession of confidential information about Siebel that was furnished by or on behalf of Siebel with respect to any Acquisition Proposal within the six months prior to the date hereof to return or destroy all such information.
Acquisition Proposals (a) Except as provided in this Section 6.2(a) and in Section 6.2(d), the Company shall not (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to not), and shall take such reasonable actions to cause (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to take such reasonable actions to cause) each Company Entity’s officers, directors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, agents, and other representatives (collectively, the “Representatives”) not to, (i) directly or indirectly initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage, or facilitate (including by way of furnishing non-public information) any inquiries with respect to, or the making or submission of, any proposal that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public information or data relating to any Company Entity or any Company Asset to, or provide access to the properties, books or records of any Company Entity to, any Person that has made an Acquisition Proposal or in contemplation of an Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the immediately foregoing sentence, at any time prior to obtaining the Company Required Vote, the Company and the Company’s Board are permitted to take any actions described in clause (ii) of this Section 6.2(a) with respect to a third party if (w) the Company has received a written Acquisition Proposal from such third party (and such Acquisition Proposal did not result from a breach of this Section 6.2(a), whether by any Company Entity or any Representative (as if all Company Entities and Representatives were bound by this Section 6.2(a))), (x) the Company gives the Parent the notice required by Section 6.2(e), (y) after receiving the advice of its financial advisors, the Company’s Board determines in good faith that such proposal constitutes, or is reasonably likely to lead to, a Superior Proposal, and (z) the Company’s Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to participate in such negotiations or discussions or to furnish such information or data to such third party is likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law; except that (1) the Company shall not deliver any non-public information to such third party without first entering into a confidentiality agreement with such third party on terms no less favorable to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement (any such confidentiality agreement with such third party, an “Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement”) and (2) subject to applicable Law, the Company shall make available to the Parent any non-public information concerning any Company Entity that is made available to any other Person or group in connection with any actual or potential Acquisition Proposal that was not previously made available to the Parent, contemporaneously with the delivery of such information to (or as promptly as practicable after such information is delivered to) such Person. Nothing contained in this Section 6.2 will prohibit the Company or the Company’s Board from taking and disclosing to the Company’s stockholders a position with respect to an Acquisition Proposal pursuant to Rule 14d-9 or 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any similar disclosure, in either case to the extent required by applicable Law, including the Company Board’s fiduciary duties; except that compliance with such rules will not permit the Company to make an Adverse Recommendation Change other than in accordance with Section 6.2(d).
(b) Except as provided in Section 6.2(d) and in Section 6.2(g), each of the Company, the Company’s Board, and each Company Board Committee shall not (i) withdraw or withhold (or amend or modify in a manner adverse to any Buyer Entity), or publicly propose to withdraw or withhold (or amend or modify in a manner adverse to any Buyer Entity), the approval, recommendation, or declaration of advisability by the Company’s Board or any Company Board Committee of this Agreement, the Merger, or any Transactions, (ii) recommend, adopt, or approve, or propose publicly to recommend, adopt, or approve, any Acquisition Proposal (any action described in the immediately foregoing clauses (i) or (ii), an “Adverse Recommendation Change”).
(c) Except as provided in Section 6.2(d), the Company shall not (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to not), and shall take reasonable actions to cause (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to take reasonable actions to cause) each Company Entity’s Representatives not to, execute or enter into any Contract (including any merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar agreement), or any letter of intent, term sheet, memorandum of understanding, or agreement in principle, (i) relating to or that could reasonably be expected to lead to any Acquisition Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement in circumstances contemplated in the penultimate sentence of Section 6.2(a)), or (ii) requiring the Company to abandon, terminate, or fail to consummate the Merger or any of the Transactions.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing set forth in this Section 6.2, at any time prior to obtaining the Company Required Vote, and subject to the Company’s compliance at all times with the provisions of this Section 6.2 and Section 6.4(a), with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, the Company’s Board is permitted to make an Adverse Recommendation Change if (i) a written Acquisition Proposal (that did not result from a breach of Section 6.2(a), whether by any Company Entity or any Representative (as if all Company Entities and Representatives were bound by this Section 6.2(d))) is made to the Company by a third party, and such Acquisition Proposal is not withdrawn, (ii) the Company’s Board determines in good faith after consultation with its legal and financial advisors that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, (iii) the Company’s Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to make such an Adverse Recommendation Change is likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (iv) subject to compliance with applicable Law, the Company provides the Parent three Business Days’ prior written notice of the Company’s intention to make an Adverse Recommendation Change because of such Acquisition Proposal (such notice, a “Notice of Acquisition Proposal”), it being understood that a Notice of Acquisition Proposal does not in itself institute an Adverse Recommendation Change for purposes hereof, which notice must include the information with respect to such Acquisition Proposal that is specified in Section 6.2(e); except that, if there are any material revisions to the Acquisition Proposal (relative to the terms of the Acquisition Proposal as set forth in the Notice of Acquisition Proposal as provided to the Parent), then the Company must provide to the Parent a new Notice of Acquisition Proposal and, if the Company has not made an Adverse Recommendation Change, and subject to compliance with applicable Law, an additional three Business Days following the provision of such new Notice of Acquisition Proposal, and (v) at the end of the three-Business Day period described in the immediately foregoing clause (iv) (including any extension of such period required thereunder), the Company Board again makes the determination in good faith after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors (and taking into account any adjustment or modification of the terms hereof that the Parent proposes) that the Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal and that the failure to make such Adverse Recommendation Change is likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law. If the Parent proposes to the Company any adjustment or modification of the terms hereof in response to a Notice of Acquisition Proposal, and such proposed adjustment or modification, if implemented, would reverse the determination of the Company Board that the Acquisition Proposal constituted a Superior Proposal, then the Company and Parent shall negotiate in good faith with the Parent to implement such adjustment or modification to the terms hereof and, upon implementation of such adjustment or modification, the Company Board shall not make an Adverse Recommendation Change (or, if already made, will reinstate its recommendation in favor of the Merger and this Agreement, as so adjusted or modified).
(e) As promptly as practicable after receipt thereof (but in any event within 24 hours after the Company’s receipt thereof), the Company shall (i) advise Parent in writing of any request for non-public information or any Acquisition Proposal received from any Person, or any inquiry, discussions, or negotiations with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, and the material terms of such request, Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, discussions, or negotiations, and (ii) promptly provide to Parent a detailed, written summary of all of the material terms, provisions, and other information set forth in any materials (including any draft agreements) that the Company receives in connection with any Acquisition Proposal (or, at the Company’s election, a copy thereof) and the identity of the Person or group making any such request, Acquisition Proposal, or inquiry or with whom any discussions or negotiations are taking place. The Company shall keep the Parent reasonably informed of the status of any Acquisition Proposals (including disclosing to the Parent the identity of the parties, the price involved, and any material changes to any terms thereof and providing to the Parent detailed, written summaries of all of the material terms, provisions, or other information set forth in any amended or additional documents received from or provided to any Person with respect to such Acquisition Proposal). The Company shall not release any third party from, or waive any provisions of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company is a party and shall use its reasonable efforts to enforce any such agreement at the request of or on behalf of the Parent.
(f) Immediately after the execution and delivery hereof, the Company shall (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to) instruct the Representatives to cease and terminate any existing activities, discussions, or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any possible Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall (i) take the necessary steps to promptly inform the Representatives involved in the Transactions of the obligations undertaken in Section 6.2(a) and (ii) request each Person who has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with such Person’s consideration of acquiring the Company or any portion thereof to return or destroy (and certify such destruction in writing by an executive officer of such Person) all confidential information heretofore furnished to such Person by or on its behalf.
(g) Nothing in this Agreement will prohibit or restrict the Company’s Board from effecting an Adverse Recommendation Change not involving or relating to an Acquisition Proposal in response to a material adverse development or change in circumstances with respect to the Parent Business occurring or arising after the Signing Date, if (i) the Company’s Board determines in good faith after consultation with its outside legal counsel that not making such Adverse Recommendation Change is likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law (ii) subject to compliance with applicable Law, the Company provides the Parent three Business Days’ prior written notice of the Company’s intention to make public an Adverse Recommendation Change because of such material development or change in circumstances (such notice, a “Notice of Material Development”); and that it is considering such a recommendation change and summarizing in reasonable detail the reasons therefor; and (iii) at the end of the three-Business Day period described in the immediately foregoing clause (ii), the Company Board again makes the determination in good faith after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors (and taking into account any adjustment or modification of the terms hereof that the Parent proposes in writing) that failure to make such an Adverse Recommendation Change is likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law. If the Parent proposes to the Company any adjustment or modification of the terms hereof in response to a Notice of Material Development, and such proposed adjustment or modification, if implemented, would reverse the determination of the Company Board that it make an Adverse Recommendation Change, then the Company and Parent shall negotiate in good faith (during a period not exceeding three Business days, unless otherwise mutually agreed) with respect to such adjustment or modification to the terms hereof and, upon implementation of such adjustment or modification, the Company Board shall not make an Adverse Recommendation Change (or, if already made, will reinstate its recommendation in favor of the Merger and this Agreement, as so adjusted or modified).
No Solicitations From and after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time or termination of this Agreement pursuant to ARTICLE X, the Company will not nor will it authorize or permit any of its officers, directors, affiliates or employees or any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative retained by it, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or initiate the making, submission or announcement of any other acquisition proposal, (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public information with respect to any other acquisition proposal, (iii) engage in discussions with any Person with respect to any other acquisition proposal, except as to the existence of these provisions, (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any other acquisition proposal or (v) enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any contract agreement or commitment contemplating or otherwise relating to any other acquisition proposal.
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 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 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.
No Solicitation of Transactions (a) The Company agrees that neither it nor any Subsidiary nor any of the directors, officers or employees of it or any Subsidiary will, and that it will cause its and its Subsidiaries’ agents, advisors and other representatives (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any Subsidiary) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of furnishing nonpublic information), or take any other action to facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer (including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its stockholders) that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Transaction, (ii) enter into or maintain or continue discussions or negotiations with any Person in furtherance of such inquiries or to obtain a proposal or offer for a Competing Transaction, (iii) agree to, approve or endorse any Competing Transaction or enter into any letter of intent or other Contract relating to any Competing Transaction or (iv) authorize or permit any of the officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative retained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to take any such action. The Company shall notify CIG and the NBCU Entities as promptly as practicable (and in any event within one (1) Business Day after the Company attains knowledge thereof), orally and in writing, if any proposal or offer, or any inquiry or contact with any Person with respect thereto, regarding a Competing Transaction is made, specifying the material terms and conditions thereof and the identity of the party making such proposal or offer or inquiry or contact (including material amendments or proposed material amendments). The Company shall, and shall direct or cause its and its Subsidiaries’ directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any Subsidiary) to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Person that may have been conducted heretofore with respect to a Competing Transaction. The Company shall not release any Person from, or waive any provision of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which it is a party and the Company also agrees to promptly request each Person that has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of acquiring (whether by merger, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) the Company or any Subsidiary, if any, to return (or if permitted by the applicable confidentiality agreement, destroy) all confidential information heretofore furnished to such Person by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.05, prior to the Exchange Offer Closing or the Exchange Offer Expiration, as applicable, the Board may furnish information to, and enter into discussions with, a Person who has made an unsolicited, written, bona fide proposal or offer regarding a Competing Transaction, and the Board has (i) determined, in its good faith judgment (after consultation with its financial advisor), that such proposal or offer constitutes or is reasonably likely to constitute a Superior Proposal, (ii) determined, in its good faith judgment after consultation with outside legal counsel (who may be the Company’s regularly engaged outside legal counsel), that, in light of such Superior Proposal, the furnishing of such information or entering into discussions is required to comply with its fiduciary obligations to the Company and its stockholders under applicable Law, (iii) provided written notice to CIG and the NBCU Entities of its intent to furnish information or enter into discussions with such Person and (iv) obtained from such Person an executed confidentiality agreement (it being understood that such confidentiality agreement and any related agreements shall not include any provision calling for any exclusive right to negotiate with such party or having the effect of prohibiting the Company from satisfying its obligations under the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party).
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither the Board nor any committee thereof shall withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to CIG and the NBCU Entities, the approval or recommendation by the Board or any such committee of the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party and the Transaction, including the Tender Offer and the Reverse Stock Split, or approve or recommend, or cause or permit the Company to enter into any letter of intent, agreement or obligation with respect to, any Competing Transaction.
(d) The parties acknowledge and agree that nothing contained herein shall affect or in any way interfere with the Company’s Obligation to comply with Rule 14d-9 under the Exchange Act.
Acquisition Proposal “Acquisition Proposal” shall mean any offer or proposal (other than an offer or proposal made or submitted by Parent) contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction.
