JOINT SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDATION 2. Staff conducted an investigation of the Respondent’s activities. The investigation disclosed that the Respondent had engaged in activity for which the Respondent could be penalized on the exercise of the discretion of the Hearing Panel pursuant to s. 24.1 of By-law No. 1.
3. Staff and the Respondent recommend settlement of the matters disclosed by the investigation in accordance with the terms and conditions set out below. The Respondent agrees to the settlement on the basis of the facts set out in Part IV herein and consents to the making of an Order in the form attached as Schedule “A”.
4. Staff and the Respondent agree that the terms of this Settlement Agreement, including the attached Schedule “A”, will be released to the public only if and when the Settlement Agreement is accepted by the Hearing Panel.
Company Lock-Up (i) The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, for a period of 180 days from the date of this Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”), (i) issue, offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the shares of Common Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, except to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement. The Company agrees not to accelerate the vesting of any option or warrant or the lapse of any repurchase right prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period.
(ii) The restrictions contained in Section 3(n)(i) hereof shall not apply to: (A) the Offered Securities, (B) the Underlying Shares, (C) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options, in each case outstanding as of the Applicable Time and as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (D) any shares of Common Stock or options to purchase any shares of Common Stock or other any shares of Common Stock based award issued or granted pursuant to the Company’s stock incentive plans, stock purchase plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan in effect at the Applicable Time and as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and (E) shares of Common Stock or other securities issued in connection with a transaction with an unaffiliated third party that includes a bona fide commercial relationship (including joint ventures, marketing or distribution arrangements, collaboration agreements or intellectual property license agreements) or any acquisition of assets or acquisition of not less than a majority or controlling portion of the equity of another entity; provided that (x) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to clause (E) shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately following the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities pursuant hereto and (y) the recipient of any such shares of Common Stock or other securities issued or granted pursuant to clause (E) during the Lock-Up Period shall enter into an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
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).
Valid Issuance; Available Shares; Affiliates All of such outstanding shares are duly authorized and have been, or upon issuance will be, validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Schedule 3(r)(iii) sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock that are (A) reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (as defined below) (other than the Notes and the Warrants) and (B) that are, as of the date hereof, owned by Persons who are “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act and calculated based on the assumption that only officers, directors and holders of at least 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock are “affiliates” without conceding that any such Persons are “affiliates” for purposes of federal securities laws) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. To the Company’s knowledge, no Person owns 10% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated based on the assumption that all Convertible Securities (as defined below), whether or not presently exercisable or convertible, have been fully exercised or converted (as the case may be) taking account of any limitations on exercise or conversion (including “blockers”) contained therein without conceding that such identified Person is a 10% stockholder for purposes of federal securities laws).
Secondary Market Trading Survey Until such time as the Public Securities are listed or quoted, as the case may be, on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall engage Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx ("GM"), for a one-time fee of $5,000 payable on the Closing Date , to deliver and update to the Underwriters on a timely basis, but in any event on the Effective Date and at the beginning of each fiscal quarter, a written report detailing those states in which the Public Securities may be traded in non-issuer transactions under the Blue Sky laws of the fifty States ("Secondary Market Trading Survey").
Business Combination Marketing Agreement The Company and the Representative have entered into a separate business combination marketing agreement substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Business Combination Marketing Agreement”).
Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (a) A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying Agent in accordance with this Section 14.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:
(i) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof,
(ii) if Physical Notes have been issued, the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and
(iii) the aggregate principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000; provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of the Depositary.
IPO The IPO, in such form and substance as the REIT, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall have determined to be acceptable, shall have been completed (or be completed simultaneously with the Closing).
Alternative Proposals Prior to the Effective Time, the Company agrees (a) that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall it or any of its Subsidiaries, knowingly permit their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its Subsidiaries) to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, the submission of any proposal or offer (including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its stockholders) with respect to a merger, consolidation, reorganization, exchange, plan of liquidation or similar transaction involving the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any purchase of any equity securities of the Company or all or any significant portion of the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries other than the transactions contemplated hereby (any such proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as an "Alternative Proposal"), or engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to, or have any discussions with, any person or entity relating to an Alternative Proposal or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Alternative Proposal; (b) that it will promptly cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any person or entity conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing; and (c) that it will notify the Purchaser promptly if any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued with, the Company; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 5.1 shall prohibit the Board of Directors of the Company and its authorized representatives from (i) furnishing information to or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that makes an unsolicited Alternative Proposal, if, and only to the extent that, (A) the Board of Directors of the Company, based upon the advice of outside counsel, determines in good faith that such action is required for the Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders imposed by law, (B) prior to furnishing such information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, the Company provides written notice to the Purchaser to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, and (C) the Company keeps the Purchaser reasonably informed of the status and all material information with respect to any such discussions or negotiations; and (ii) to the extent applicable, complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Alternative Proposal. Nothing in this Section 5.1 shall (x) permit the Company to terminate this Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article 7 hereof), (y) permit the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to an Alternative Proposal for as long as this Agreement remains in effect (it being agreed that for as long as this Agreement remains in effect, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with any person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an Alternative Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement in customary form)), or (z) affect any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.
Acquisition Proposals Except as contemplated hereby, the Company shall not (and shall use reasonable efforts to cause its officers, directors and employees and any investment banker, attorney, accountant, or other agent retained by it not to) initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, or knowingly take any action to facilitate, the making of, or engage in any negotiations or discussions concerning, any proposal or offer to acquire all or any significant part of the business and properties or capital stock of the Company, whether by merger, purchase of assets, tender offer or otherwise (an "Acquisition Proposal"), or provide any non-public information concerning the Company to any third party in connection with an Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing. In the event the Company receives an Acquisition Proposal, it shall, subject to any confidentiality obligations imposed upon the Company in connection with such Acquisition Proposal, promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) inform Parent as to the receipt thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing shall prohibit the Company from (a) furnishing information to, participating in discussions and negotiations directly or through its representatives or entering into an agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal with, any third party (including parties with whom the Company or its representatives have had discussions on any basis on or prior to the date hereof) who makes an unsolicited proposal or offer to the Company or makes an unsolicited request for non-public information about the Company (pursuant to appropriate confidentiality agreements), which proposal, offer or request did not result from a breach of the first sentence of this Section 5.7, if the Company Board determines in good faith, after receiving advice from its financial advisors and independent legal counsel at a meeting of the Company Board, that such action is required for the Company Board to comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law, (b) taking and disclosing to its stockholders any position, and making related filings with the SEC, as required by Rules l4e-2 and 14d-9 under the Exchange Act with respect to any tender offer or (c) taking any action and making any disclosure which the Company Board determines, after receiving advice from its financial advisors and independent legal counsel at a meeting of the Company Board, is required to be taken or made under applicable law (including, without limitation, laws relating to the fiduciary duties of directors), provided that at least 48 hours prior to the entry into or announcement of an intention to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, the Company shall have provided written notice to Parent advising Parent of its intention to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal and specifying the material terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal.
