ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG FUQI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., LTD., BEIJING YINZHONG TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD., SHANGHAI TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD., AND CHUJIAN HUANG DATED AS OF APRIL 18, 2008
Execution
Version
BY
AND AMONG
FUQI
INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., LTD.,
BEIJING
YINZHONG TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD.,
SHANGHAI
TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD.,
AND
XXXXXXX
XXXXX
DATED
AS OF APRIL 18, 2008
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE
1
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Purchase and Sale of Assets; Assumption of Certain Specified Liabilities |
1
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1.1
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The
Acquired Assets.
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1
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1.2
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Excluded
Assets.
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3
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1.3
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Assumption
of Certain Liabilities; Retained Liabilities.
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4
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1.4
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Purchase
Price and Payment.
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5
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1.5
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Allocation
of Purchase Price.
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6
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ARTICLE
2
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Closing; Deliveries of the Parties at Closing |
6
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2.1
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The
Closing.
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6
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2.2
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Conditions
Precedent to Obligation of Buyer.
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6
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2.3
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Conditions
Precedent to Obligation of Sellers.
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8
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2.4
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Seller
Covenants.
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8
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2.5
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Buyer
Covenants.
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11
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2.6
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Deliveries
at the Closing by Sellers.
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11
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2.7
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Deliveries
at the Closing by Buyer.
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12
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2.8
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Passage
of Title.
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13
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2.9
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Transfer
Taxes, Etc.
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13
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2.10
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Right
to Contest.
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13
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2.11
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Non-assignable
Contracts and Rights.
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13
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2.12
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Casualty
Damage.
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13
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2.13
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Evidence
of No Taxes Due.
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14
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2.14
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Fulfillment
of Conditions and Agreements Prior to Closing.
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14
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2.15
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Termination
Prior to Closing.
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14
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ARTICLE
3
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Representations and Warranties of Sellers and Seller Principal |
15
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3.1
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Corporate
Status; Authority.
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15
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3.2
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Corporate
Action; Authority; Execution.
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15
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3.3
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No
Conflicts.
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16
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3.4
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Stockholder;
Equity Interests/Subsidiaries.
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16
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3.5
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Financial
Statements and Records.
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16
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3.6
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Undisclosed
Liabilities.
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17
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3.7
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Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
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17
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3.8
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Licenses,
Permits and, Authorizations.
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18
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3.9
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Assets
Used in the Business.
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18
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3.10
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Acquired
Assets.
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18
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3.11
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Real
Property.
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19
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3.12
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Inventory.
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19
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3.13
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Intellectual
Property.
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19
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3.14
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Labor
and Employee Benefit Matters.
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20
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3.15
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Litigation.
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21
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3.16
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Brokers.
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21
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3.17
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Contracts.
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22
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3.18
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Compliance
with Laws.
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23
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3.19
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Environmental
Matters.
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23
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3.20
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Taxes.
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23
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3.21
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Insurance.
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24
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3.22
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Transactions
with Affiliates.
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24
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3.23
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Customer
Relations.
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24
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3.24
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Solvency;
Post-Closing Financial Condition of Sellers.
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24
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3.25
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Suppliers;
Raw Materials.
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25
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3.26
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Access
to Buyer Information.
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25
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3.27
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Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act.
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25
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3.28
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Additional
PRC Representations.
|
26
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3.29
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Disclosure.
|
27
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3.30
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Complete
and Accurate Schedules.
|
27
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ARTICLE
4
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Representations and Warranties of Buyer |
27
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4.1
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Corporate
Status; Authority.
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27
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4.2
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Corporate
Action.
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27
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4.3
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No
Conflicts.
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28
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ARTICLE
5
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Non-competition |
28
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5.1
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Defined
Terms.
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28
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5.2
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Non-competition.
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29
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5.3
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Confidentiality.
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30
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5.4
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Non-solicitation.
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31
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5.5
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Reasonableness
of Restrictions.
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31
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5.6
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Remedy
for Breach and Right to Injunction.
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31
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5.7
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Severability
and Enforceability.
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31
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ARTICLE
6
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Additional Covenants |
32
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6.1
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Access
to Records.
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32
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6.2
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Litigation
Cooperation.
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32
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6.3
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Employees.
|
32
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6.4
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Final
Sales Tax Return.
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33
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ARTICLE
7
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Survival of Representations and Warranties; Indemnification |
33
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7.1
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General
Provisions; Survival.
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33
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7.2
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Indemnification
by Sellers.
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33
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7.3
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Indemnification
by Buyer.
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34
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7.4
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Procedures
Relating to Third Party Claims.
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35
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7.5
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Other
Claims.
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36
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ARTICLE
8
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Miscellaneous |
37
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8.1
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Costs
and Expenses.
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37
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8.2
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Assignments.
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37
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8.3
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Further
Assurances.
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37
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8.4
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Public
Announcement.
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37
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8.5
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Notices.
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37
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8.6
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Amendment
and Modification.
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38
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8.7
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Captions.
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38
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8.8
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Governing
Law.
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38
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8.9
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Waiver
of Provisions.
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39
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8.10
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Counterparts.
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39
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8.11
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Entire
Agreement.
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39
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8.12
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Definitions;
Construction.
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39
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8.13
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No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
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41
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8.14
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Jurisdiction;
Service of Process.
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41
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iii -
THIS
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this
“Agreement”),
made
effective as of April 18, 2008, is entered into by and among Fuqi International
Holdings Co., LTD., a British Virgin Islands company, Beijing YinZhong TianMei
Jewelry Co., Ltd., a company established under the laws of the PRC
(“TianMei
Beijing”),
Shanghai TianMei Jewelry Co., Ltd., a company established under the laws of
the
PRC (the “TianMei
Shanghai”
and
together with TianMei Beijing, collectively the “Sellers”
and
each a “Seller”),
and
solely for purposes of Article
5
and
Article
7,
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx, an individual residing in the PRC with holder of PRC identity card no.
440105196302250950 (the “Seller
Principal”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
Sellers are engaged in the business of (i) licensing, selling and distributing
jewelry products, and (ii) owning and operating standalone stores and store
counters for distribution of jewelry products, and (iii) licensing, selling,
producing and distributing jewelry products, all under the name “Temix” (the
“Business”);
WHEREAS,
Sellers desire to sell, assign, and transfer to Fuqi International Holdings
Co.,
LTD. and/or a subsidiary of Fuqi International Holdings Co., LTD. (“Buyer”),
and
Buyer desires to purchase from Sellers, substantially all of the assets owned,
leased or used in connection with the Business, as described in more detail
below, all on the terms and subject to the conditions described herein. In
connection therewith, Buyer will assume only certain specified liabilities
and
obligations of the Business as further described herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
Purchase
and Sale of Assets; Assumption of Certain Specified
Liabilities
1.1 The
Acquired Assets.
Subject
to and in reliance upon the representations, warranties, and agreements herein
set forth, and subject to the terms and conditions herein contained, Sellers
shall grant, convey, sell, assign, transfer, and deliver to Buyer on the Closing
Date (as such term is defined herein), and Buyer shall purchase on the Closing
Date, free and clear of all covenants, restrictions, liens, security interests,
claims, pledges, assignments, subleases, options, rights of refusal, charges,
leases, licenses, encumbrances and any other restriction of any kind or nature
(collectively, “Liens”),
all
properties, assets, privileges, rights, interests and claims, real and personal,
tangible and intangible, of every type and description, wherever located,
including the Business as a going concern and goodwill, that are owned, used,
or
held for use by Sellers and related to the Business, except for those assets
which are expressly excluded pursuant to Section 1.2
hereof
(collectively, the “Acquired
Assets”).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Acquired Assets shall
include, without limitation, items in the following categories that conform
to
the definition of the term “Acquired Assets”:
(a) Inventories.
All
inventories (including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods)
and
supplies of Sellers (collectively, the “Inventory”),
including, without limitation, Inventory held at each of the counter and stores
operated in the Business, except for, if any, inventories held on a consignment
basis for the other suppliers;
(b) Prepaid
Items.
All
prepaid items and expenses (other than prepaid Taxes (as such term is defined
herein));
(c) Machinery,
Equipment, and Other Personal Property.
All
physical assets, machinery, equipment, automobiles, trucks, furniture, fixtures,
office materials and supplies, computer hardware and software, spare parts,
and
other tangible personal property of every kind and description owned, leased,
or
licensed by each Seller and used or held for use in connection with the
Business, including those set forth on Schedule
3.10(b)
(the
“Tangible
Personal Property”);
(d) Real
Property.
Each
Seller’s interest in all of the Real Property leased by each Seller and used or
held for use in connection with the Business, including the properties listed
on
Schedule
3.11
(collectively, the “Leased
Real Property”);
(e) Contracts.
Each
Seller’s rights under all contracts, leases, licenses, indentures, agreements,
commitments, and all other contractual arrangements, whether oral
or written,
express or implied (collectively, the “Contracts”),
including those Material Contracts listed on Schedule
3.17,
subject
to the provisions of Section 2.11
(collectively, the “Assumed
Contracts”);
(f) Intellectual
Property.
Each
Sellers’ rights and goodwill in and to all trademarks, service marks,
franchises, patents, trade names, jingles, slogans, and logotypes, copyrights
and other intangible rights (registered or unregistered), including any
applications therefor and all drawings and designs, know-how, show-how trade
secrets and secret processes and formulas and licenses with respect to
intangible property rights, computer programs and program rights, and other
intangible property and proprietary rights, whether or not subject to statutory
registration or protection (collectively, the “Intellectual
Property”);
(g) Files
and Records.
All
files, records, books of account, general, financial, and accounting records,
invoices, computer programs, tapes, electronic data processing software,
customer and supplier lists, correspondence, and other records of
Sellers;
(h) Security
Deposits.
All
security deposits held by third parties for the benefit of any
Seller;
(i) Goodwill.
Each
Seller’s goodwill in, and the going concern value of, the Business;
(j) Permits,
Licenses, and Authorizations.
All
governmental permits, licenses, and authorizations held by any Seller,
including, without limitation, those listed on Schedule
3.8,
to the
extent the same may be transferred to Buyer, including membership of Shanghai
Diamond Exchange;
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2 -
(k) Guarantees.
All
guarantees, warranties, indemnities, and similar rights in favor of any Seller
with respect to the Business or any of the Acquired Assets; and
(l) Asset
List.
Those
items listed on the asset list attached as Schedule
1.1(l)
hereto.
1.2 Excluded
Assets.
The
following shall be excluded from the Acquired Assets and retained by Sellers
(collectively, the “Excluded
Assets”):
(a) Cash
and Investments.
All
cash on hand or in bank accounts and other cash items, cash equivalents, and
short-term investments;
(b) Claims
for Taxes.
Any and
all claims of any Seller for refunds, carrybacks, carryforwards, and credits
relative to Taxes paid or attributable to a taxable period (or portion thereof)
ending on or prior to the Closing Date;
(c) Employee
Benefit Plans.
All
Employee Benefit Plans (as such term is defined herein), including, without
limitation, employee pension, profit sharing 401(k), medical benefit or health
plans and trusts, ORSO Scheme, MPF Scheme, and related trust accounts, funds,
insurance policies, investments, or other assets;
(d) Retained
Rights.
Any
property, right, or asset arising from and directly related to the defense,
release, compromise, discharge, or satisfaction of any of the Retained
Liabilities (as such term is defined herein) unless such property, right, or
asset is included on the Balance Sheet;
(e) Corporate
Records.
The
minute books, seal, stock records, tax returns and tax records of each
Seller;
(f) Personnel
Records.
The
personnel records of each Seller with respect to the employees of the
Business;
(g) Current
Assets.
The
current assets of each Seller listed on Schedule
1.2(g)
hereto;
and
(h) Equity
Interests.
The
equity interests of each Seller.
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3 -
1.3 Assumption
of Certain Liabilities; Retained Liabilities.
(a) Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the
Closing Date, Buyer shall assume and agree to pay, honor, perform, and discharge
when due and payable, and indemnify and hold harmless Sellers from and against
the specific liabilities and obligations set forth below which relate to the
operation of the Business or the Acquired Assets as of the Closing Date (the
“Assumed
Liabilities”),
which
assumption by Buyer will be evidenced by the execution and delivery of an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit
A
attached
hereto (the “Assignment
and Assumption Agreement”).
The
Assumed Liabilities shall consist solely of (i) all liabilities and obligations
that arise or accrue on or after the Closing Date under the express terms of
the
Assumed Contracts, but not including any liability or obligation for any breach
thereof or default thereunder occurring on or prior to the Closing Date and
(ii)
those liabilities as set forth on Schedule
1.3(a)
hereto.
(b) Buyer
shall in no event assume or be deemed to assume, nor shall it be liable for,
any
obligations or liabilities of any Seller of any nature whatsoever (whether
express or implied, fixed or contingent, known or unknown) other than the
Assumed Liabilities (all obligations and liabilities of any Seller other than
the Assumed Liabilities are referred to herein collectively as the “Retained
Liabilities”).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Retained Liabilities shall
include:
(i) liabilities
relating to or arising out of the negotiation, preparation, approval or
authorization of this Agreement and the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions, including all legal and accounting fees and all brokers’ of
finders’ fees or commissions payable by any Seller;
(ii) liabilities
of Seller relating to or arising out of the Excluded Assets;
(iii) liabilities
arising out of any lawsuit or claim, whether or not identified on Schedule
3.15.
(iv) liabilities
of any Seller to any Related Party;
(v) liabilities
to, under or with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan and the administration
of
any Employee Benefit Plan, or relating to payroll, vacation, sick leave,
workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits with respect to employees of former
employees of any Seller or any of its predecessors, under any employment,
severance, retention or termination agreement with any employee of any Seller
or
any of its Related Parties, or arising out of or relating to any employee
grievance whether or not the affected employees are hired by Buyer;
(vi) liabilities
relating to any Taxes, including transfer Taxes and Taxes based on net income
or
attributable to sales or use that are assessed, accrued, or attributable for
periods on or prior to the Closing Date and related penalties and interest,
if
any, whether or not be reason of in connection with, transactions contemplated
by this Agreement;
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4 -
(vii) liabilities
relating to any complaint, action, arbitration or regulatory, administrative
or
government proceeding or investigation involving any Seller arising from actions
of any Seller on or prior to the Closing Date, other than collection actions
initiated by any Seller relating to the Business;
(viii) liabilities
of any Seller for borrowed funds, capital leases, and notes
payable;
(ix) liabilities
arising out of any transaction affecting any Seller, and liabilities and
obligations incurred by any Seller, on or after the Closing Date;
(x) liabilities
arising out of any transaction affecting any Seller, and liabilities and
obligations incurred by any Seller, prior to the Closing Date to the extent
such
liabilities were not incurred under the express terms of the Assumed
Contracts;
(xi) any
liability or obligation to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless any Seller’s
officers, managers, employees, agents, or any Related Party;
(xii) liabilities
of any Seller or any of its predecessors arising out of or relating to (i)
any
action, omission, or condition occurring or existing prior to the Closing Date
to the extent that such action, omission, or condition constitutes a violation
or alleged violation by or a liability or obligation of any Seller or any
subsidiary, affiliate or predecessor under any Environmental Law or (ii) arising
from the release, investigation, clean-up or remediation of any hazardous
substance (as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act, as amended (and any applicable similar state laws governing
the clean-up and remediation of hazardous substances (“CERCLA”)))
in
connection with the disposal, treatment, or transport (or arrangement for
disposal, treatment or transport) of such hazardous substance by any Seller
o
any subsidiary, affiliate or predecessor of any Seller, pursuant to CERCLA;
and
(xiii) any
liabilities attributable to Excluded Assets.
1.4 Purchase
Price and Payment.
(a) Aggregate
Purchase Price.
The
aggregate purchase price to be paid by Buyer to the Sellers for the Acquired
Assets shall be Eighty Million Yuan Renminbi (80,000,000 Yuan RMB) (the
“Purchase
Price”),
which
amount shall be paid in cash as more specifically set forth in this Section
1.4.
(b) Payment
of the Purchase Price at Closing.
The
Purchase Price shall be payable to Sellers as follows an aggregate of not
exceeding Sixty-Four Million Yuan Renminbi (64,000,000 Yuan RMB), which is
equal
to 80% of the Purchase Price, in cash to be delivered to Sellers at Closing
by
wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to written instructions
provided by Sellers to Buyer.
(c) Escrow
Deposit.
At
Closing, Buyer shall deposit in escrow with Mellon Bank, N.A., as escrow agent
(the “Escrow
Agent”),
an
amount in cash equal to Sixteen Million Yuan Renminbi (16,000,000 Yuan RMB)
(the
“Escrow
Deposit”),
which
is equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Purchase Price. The Escrow Deposit
will
be held by the Escrow Agent for a period of six (6) months from the Closing
Date
and shall be subject to set-off from undiscovered inventory defects or
descriptions in accordance with the escrow agreement in substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit
B
(the
“Escrow
Agreement”).
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5 -
1.5 Allocation
of Purchase Price.
The
Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Acquired Assets in accordance with
the allocations set forth in Annex
1.
Sellers
shall timely and properly prepare, execute, file and deliver any and all
documents, forms and authorizations (including powers of attorney) as Buyer
may
reasonably request in order to prepare and report such allocation (including
any
amendments thereto) to Taxing authorities. Buyer and Sellers shall report the
federal, state and local income and other tax consequences of the purchase
and
sale contemplated hereby, including, if applicable, the PRC Enterprise Income
Tax, stamp duty, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
in a
manner consistent with such allocation and shall not take any position
inconsistent therewith upon examination of any tax return, in any refund claim,
in any litigation, or otherwise.
ARTICLE
2
Closing;
Deliveries of the Parties at Closing
2.1 The
Closing.
The
consummation of the transactions provided for in this Agreement (the
“Closing”),
which
shall be deemed to occur at the close of business on the Closing Date, shall
take place at the offices of Xxxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx LLP,
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000, at 10:00 a.m. PST on the second business day
following the date on which the last to be fulfilled or waived of the conditions
set forth in Sections 2.2
and
2.3
of this
Agreement shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement (other
than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing,
but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions) or at such other
place and/or on such other date as the parties may agree. The date on which
the
Closing shall occur is referred to herein as the “Closing
Date.”
2.2 Conditions
Precedent to Obligation of Buyer.
The
obligation of Buyer to proceed with the Closing is expressly subject to the
fulfillment prior to or at Closing of the conditions precedent set forth in
this
Section 2.2.
Any one
or more of these conditions precedent may be waived, in whole or in part, in
writing by Buyer at Buyer’s sole option.
(a) Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of each Seller and Seller Principal contained
in
Article
3
shall
be, individually and collectively, true and correct (in the case of any
representation or warranty containing any materiality qualification) or true
and
correct in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty
without any materiality qualification) (i) at and as of the date of this
Agreement and (ii) on and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing
Date.
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6 -
(b) Agreements.
Each
Seller and each Seller Principal, as applicable, shall have performed in all
material respects all of the agreements and complied with all of the provisions
required by this Agreement and the Seller Transaction Documents to be performed
or complied with by such party at or before the Closing Date.
(c) Litigation.
Neither
any Seller, any Seller Principal nor Buyer shall be (i) subject to any
restraining order or injunction restraining or prohibiting the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) have received written
notice from any Governmental Entity of its intention to institute any action
or
proceeding seeking to restrain, enjoin, or nullify this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. Neither any Seller, any Seller Principal
nor
Buyer shall have received any claim by any Person (written or oral) asserting
that any Person other than the respective Seller (x) is the owner of the
Acquired Assets, (y) has any Lien on the Acquired Assets, or (z) is entitled
to
all or any portion of the Purchase Price.
(d) No
Material Adverse Effect.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, no event or events shall have
occurred which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could have a Seller
Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Closing
Certificate.
The
Seller Principal shall have delivered a certificate relating to each Seller,
dated as of the Closing Date, in a form satisfactory to Buyer, certifying to
the
fulfillment of the conditions set forth in subparagraphs (a),
(b),
(c),
and
(d)
of this
Section 2.2.
The
contents of these certificates shall constitute a representation and warranty
of
each Seller and the Seller Principal as of the Closing Date and shall be deemed
fully incorporated into this Agreement.
(f) Audited
Financial Statements.
Buyer
or its Representatives shall have completed an audit of the books and records
of
each Seller satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer, at its sole
discretion.
(g) Unencumbered
Title.
Buyer
shall have received copies of such releases and documents, and reviewed other
such evidence as Buyer deems necessary to assure Buyer that the Acquired Assets
are being delivered free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances.
(h) Equipment
Leases.
Any and
all equipment leases for Tangible Personal Property shall have been paid in
full
by the Sellers and Buyer shall have received such evidence as Buyer deems
necessary, in its sole discretion, to assure Buyer that such equipment is being
delivered free and clear of all Liens pursuant to the terms of the applicable
lease.
(i) Leased
Real Property.
Each
landlord under a lease for any Leased Real Property, to the extent required
under such lease, shall have consented in writing to the assignment of such
Leased Property to Buyer as contemplated by this Agreement, waived in writing
any provisions of such lease that would prevent such assignment, cause the
termination of the lease for such Leased Real Property, or otherwise be
inconsistent with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(j) Material
Consents.
Each of
the third party approvals or consents identified in Schedule 2.2(j)
(the
“Material
Consents”)
shall
have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.
(k) Required
Authorizations.
Each
Seller and each party to this Agreement shall have received all required
authorizations under any applicable law necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(l) Closing
Documents.
Buyer
shall have received the other agreements and documents referred to in Section
2.6.
All
certificates, opinions, and other documents delivered by each Seller to Buyer
under this Agreement shall be in form and substance satisfactory to
Buyer.
2.3 Conditions
Precedent to Obligation of Sellers.
The
obligation of each Seller to proceed with the Closing is expressly subject
to
the fulfillment prior to or at Closing of the conditions precedent set forth
in
this Section 2.3.
Any one
or more of these conditions may be waived, in whole or in part, in writing
by
any Seller at the sole option of such Seller.
(a) Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of Buyer contained in Article
4
shall
be, individually and collectively, true and correct (in the case of any
representation or warranty containing any materiality qualification) or true
and
correct in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty
without any materiality qualification) (i) at and as of the date of this
Agreement, and (ii) on and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing
Date.
(b) Agreements.
Buyer
shall have performed in all material respects all of the agreements and complied
with all of the provisions required by this Agreement and the Buyer Transaction
Documents to be performed or complied with by it at or before the Closing
Date.
(c) Litigation.
Buyer
shall not (i) be subject to any restraining order or injunction restraining
or
prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
or (ii) have received written notice from any Governmental Entity of its
intention to institute any action or proceeding seeking to restrain, enjoin,
or
nullify this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) Closing
Documents.
Sellers
shall have received the documents and other items referred to in Section
2.7.
2.4 Seller
Covenants.
Each
Seller covenants and agrees as follows:
(a) Pre-Closing
Conduct of Business.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, each Seller shall (and the
Seller Principal shall cause each Seller to) operate the Business and perform
its obligations under all Contracts and agreements relating to the Business
in
the usual and ordinary course of business and in accordance with existing
policies and past practices, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Seller shall (without
the
prior written consent of the Buyer, which it may withhold in its sole
discretion):
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(i) engage
in
any transaction outside the ordinary course of business;
(ii) incur
or
commit to incur any indebtedness for borrowed money, or incur any other
indebtedness outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice as disclosed by the Sellers in writing to the Buyer;
(iii) assume,
guarantee, endorse, or otherwise become responsible for the obligations of
any
other Person or make any loans or advances to any Person, except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice as disclosed by the Sellers
in
writing to the Buyer;
(iv) issue,
sell, pledge, lease, dispose of, encumber, or authorize the issuance, sale,
pledge, lease, disposition, or encumbrance of (i) any shares of capital stock
of
any class or any other equity interest or any options, warrants, convertible
securities, or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock
or equity interest, or any other ownership interest, of such Seller, or (ii)
any
assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Business
except for the sales of Inventory or repair or rental of equipment in the
ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice as
disclosed by the Sellers in writing to the Buyer;
(v) incur
any
obligations for capital expenditures or purchase any fixed assets other than
in
the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice
as
disclosed by the Sellers in writing to the Buyer;
(vi) make
any
payments for the benefit of any Seller Principal, including payments of any
kind
in respect of any Excluded Assets;
(vii) grant
or
pay any bonus, increases in compensation, incentive compensation, or other
employee benefit to, or enter into any contract with, its officers or its
employees;
(viii) initiate,
settle, or compromise any material claims or litigation, enter into, modify,
amend, or terminate any Contract or, except in the ordinary and usual course
of
business, waive, release, or assign any material rights or claims;
(ix) make
any
material change in its selling, and distribution, marketing, pricing,
advertising or collection practices, including any special effort or program
to
sell products to customers or to discount, factor or collect sooner than normal
any accounts receivable;
(x) permit
any insurance policy naming any Seller as a beneficiary or a loss payable payee
to be canceled or terminated;
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(xi) take
any
action or omit to take any action, which action or omission could result in
any
Seller being unable to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Article
2;
nor
(xii) agree
or
commit to any of the foregoing.
(b) Business
and Goodwill.
Prior
to the Closing Date, each Seller shall (and the Seller Principal shall cause
each Seller to) use its reasonable best efforts to preserve intact the Business,
to preserve and maintain its goodwill and business relationships with customers,
suppliers, employees and others having business relations with it, and to
maintain in full force and effect and to protect and enforce, each in accordance
with past practices, all permits, licenses, authorizations and Intellectual
Property rights of Sellers.
(c) Insurance.
Each
Seller shall (and the Seller Principal shall cause each Seller to) maintain
or
cause to be maintained, in full force and effect, through the Closing, all
of
the insurance policies of or covering each Seller, the Business, the Acquired
Assets and each Seller’s employees in effect on the date of this Agreement,
unless replaced by substantially comparable coverage. Each Seller shall promptly
advise in writing Buyer of any fire, accident, or other casualty or loss
occurring on or before the Closing which individually or in the aggregate
adversely affects the value of the Acquired Assets in an amount in excess of
$25,000.
(d) Exclusive
Dealing.
Until
the Closing Date or such time, if any, as this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to the provisions hereof, no Seller or Seller Principal shall, directly or
indirectly, initiate, encourage or solicit any inquiries or the making of any
proposal with respect to, or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or
provide information to any Person in connection with, the possible acquisition
or disposition of the Business, any of the Acquired Assets, or any other assets
of any Seller, or any membership interest of any Seller or authorize or permit
any Person to do so on any Seller’s behalf.
(e) Access
to each Seller, Files, and Records.
At the
reasonable request of Buyer and upon reasonable advance notice, each Seller
each
Seller shall (and the Seller Principal shall cause each Seller to), during
normal business hours, give or cause to be given to the Representatives of
Buyer
(i) full access to the Leased Property, management personnel, property,
accounts, books, deeds, title papers, insurance policies, licenses, agreements,
contracts, commitments, logs, records and files of every character, related
to
the equipment, machinery, fixtures, furniture, vehicles and notes and accounts
payable and receivable, and (ii) all such other information as Buyer may
reasonably request, all as it relates to the Business; provided,
however,
that no
Seller shall be required to permit such access or provide such information
to
the extent it unreasonably interferes with the operation of the Business by
any
Seller.
(f) Notice
of Proceedings.
Each
Seller shall (and the Seller Principal shall cause each Seller to) promptly
notify Buyer telephonically and in writing upon that Seller (i) becoming aware
of any order or decree or any complaint praying for an order or decree
restraining or enjoining the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereunder, or (ii) receiving any notice from any Governmental
Entity of its intention (A) to institute an investigation into, or institute
a
suit or proceeding to restrain or enjoin, the consummation of this Agreement
or
such transactions, or (B) to nullify or render ineffective this Agreement or
such transactions if consummated.
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(g) Required
Approvals.
As
promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, each Seller shall
(and
the Seller Principal shall cause each Seller to) make all filings required
by
law to be made by that Seller in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each Seller and the Seller Principal shall
cooperate with Buyer and its Representatives with respect to all filings that
Buyer elects to make or that the Buyer is required by law to make in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Seller and the Seller
Principal also shall cooperate with Buyer and its Representatives in obtaining
all Material Consents.
2.5 Buyer
Covenants.
Buyer
covenants and agrees to promptly notify Sellers upon Buyer (a) becoming aware
of
any order or decree or any complaint praying for an order or decree restraining
or enjoining the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereunder or (b) receiving any notice from any Governmental Entity of its
intention (i) to institute an investigation into, or institute a suit or
proceeding to restrain or enjoin, the consummation of this Agreement or such
transactions, or (ii) to nullify or render ineffective this Agreement or such
transactions if consummated.
2.6 Deliveries
at the Closing by Sellers.
At
the
Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to Buyer (unless delivered
previously):
(a) a
duly
executed Xxxx of Sale in substantially the form of Exhibit
C
attached
hereto (the “Xxxx
of Sale”),
together with assignments, certificates of title and other instruments of sale,
transfer, and assignment in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer
and its counsel sufficient to sell, transfer, and assign to Buyer all right,
title, and interest of each Seller and good and valid title to each Seller’s
interest in and to the Acquired Assets;
(b) the
duly
executed Assignment and Assumption Agreement;
(c) certified
copies of resolutions, duly adopted by the Board of Directors and all equity
holders of each Seller, which shall be in full force and effect at the time
of
the Closing, authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance by each Seller
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
and any other authorization required for the transfer of the Acquired Assets
to
Buyer;
(d) a
legal
opinion of Shanghai Young-Xxx Xxx Firm, legal counsel to Sellers, dated as
of
the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
D
attached
hereto;
(e) a
duly
executed Employment Agreement between Buyer and Seller Principal to be mutually
agreed upon by Seller Principal and Buyer (the “Employment
Agreement”);
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(f) a
certificate executed by an officer of each Seller certifying the accuracy of
that Seller’s representations and warranties as of the date of this Agreement
and as of the Closing in accordance with Section 7.1
and as
to their compliance with and performance of their covenants and obligations
to
be performed or complied with at or before the Closing in accordance with
Section 2.4;
(g) a
certificate of the Secretary of each Seller certifying, as complete and accurate
as of the Closing, attached copies of the charter documents, including the
articles of association and bylaws (the “Governing
Documents”),
of
that Seller, certifying and attaching all requisite resolutions or actions
of
that Seller’s board of directors and equity holders approving the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and certifying to the incumbency and signatures of the
officers of that Seller executing this Agreement and any other Transaction
Document;
(h) all
termination statements and releases necessary or appropriate to terminate,
release, and discharge any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on or affecting
the Acquired Assets, including, without limitation, any Liens on or affecting
any equipment included in the Tangible Personal Property;
(i) a
duly
executed Intellectual Property Transfer Agreement between Buyer and Seller
Principal, substantially in the form of Exhibit
F
attached
hereto (the “IP
Transfer Agreement”);
and
(j) such
other documents or instruments as Buyer or its counsel may request that are
reasonably required to be delivered by Sellers at or prior to Closing pursuant
to this Agreement or otherwise required in connection herewith (such items
referred to in clauses (a) through (j),
together with this Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Seller
Transaction Documents”).
2.7 Deliveries
at the Closing by Buyer.
At
the
Closing, Buyer shall deliver to Sellers (unless delivered
previously):
(a) the
duly
executed Assignment and Assumption Agreement;
(b) the
duly
executed Employment Agreement;
(c) the
duly
executed IP Transfer Agreement;
(d) a
certificate executed by an officer of Buyer certifying the accuracy of its
representations and warranties as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing in accordance with Section 2.3(a)
and as
to its compliance with and performance of its covenants and obligations to
be
performed or complied with at or before the Closing in accordance with
Section 2.5;
and
(e) a
certificate of the Secretary of Buyer certifying, as complete and accurate
as of
the Closing, attached copies the charter documents, including the articles
of
association and bylaws, of Buyer, certifying and attaching all requisite
resolutions or actions of Buyer’s board of directors approving the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and certifying to the incumbency and signatures of the
officers of Buyer executing this Agreement and any other Transaction Document
(such items referred to in clauses (a) through (e),
together with this Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Buyer
Transaction Documents”).
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2.8 Passage
of Title.
Title
to
all Acquired Assets shall pass from Sellers to Buyer at Closing, subject to
the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2.9 Transfer
Taxes, Etc.
Sellers
shall pay all transfer, documentary, notarization, sales (including bulk sales),
use, value added, stamp duty, stamp gross receipts, registration conveyance,
excise, deed, business, Enterprise Income Tax, import, land appreciation, and
other similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties, interest and additions
to
Tax) (“Transfer
Taxes”),
arising out of or attributable to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each Seller shall prepare and timely file all
Returns required to be filed in respect of Transfer Taxes. Each Seller and
Buyer
shall cooperate to minimize, to the extent permitted by law, the amount of
any
Transfer Taxes imposed with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including by utilizing any applicable sales tax exemptions for
occasional sales.
2.10 Right
to Contest.
The
assumption and agreement by Buyer to pay, perform, and discharge the Assumed
Liabilities shall not prohibit Buyer from contesting with a third party, in
good
faith and at the expense of Buyer, the amount, validity, or enforceability
of
any Assumed Liability.
2.11 Non-assignable
Contracts and Rights.
To
the
extent that the assignment by any Seller of any contract, property, right,
or
asset to be assigned to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement shall require the
consent or approval of any other party, and such consent or approval shall
not
have been obtained at the time of the Closing, this Agreement shall not
constitute a contract to assign the same if an attempted assignment would
constitute a breach thereof or would in any way adversely affect the rights
of
the Seller (or Buyer, as assignee) thereunder. If any such consent or approval
is required but not obtained on the Closing Date, the parties covenant and
agree
that in such case, the applicable Seller shall continue to deal with the other
contracting party or parties, with the benefits of such contract, property,
right, or asset after the Closing Date accruing to the benefit of Buyer; such
Seller shall hold all moneys received thereunder for the benefit of Buyer and
shall pay the same to Buyer when received. Nothing in this Section 2.11
shall be
deemed a waiver by Buyer of its right to receive an effective assignment of
the
Acquired Assets on the Closing Date, nor shall this Section 2.11
be
deemed to constitute an agreement to exclude from the Acquired Assets any assets
described in this Section 2.11.
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2.12 Casualty
Damage.
Notwithstanding
anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, if, prior to Closing, the
Acquired Assets (or any portion thereof) are damaged by fire or any other cause,
the reasonable estimate of the immediate repair of which would cost more than
$100,000, Buyer may, at its option, which may be exercised by written notice
given to Sellers within ten (10) business days after Buyer’s receipt of notice
of such loss, declare this Agreement null and void, or Buyer may close subject
to (a) reduction of the Purchase Price by the amount of any applicable insurance
deductible which shall be paid by Buyer and (b) assignment to Buyer of the
proceeds from any insurance carried by any Seller covering such loss. If, prior
to Closing, the Acquired Assets (or any portion thereof) are damaged by fire
or
any other cause, the reasonable estimate of the repair of which would cost
$100,000 or less, such event shall not excuse Buyer from its obligations under
this Agreement, but the Cash Purchase Price shall be reduced by an amount equal
to the amount of such loss in excess of any insurance proceeds actually received
by Buyer in connection with such loss.
2.13 Evidence
of No Taxes Due.
On
or
before the Closing Date, each Seller shall provide to Buyer evidence to the
satisfaction of Buyer indicating that no Taxes are due to any state or other
taxing authority for which Buyer could have liability to withhold or pay Taxes
with respect to the transfer of the Acquired Assets or the
Business.
2.14 Fulfillment
of Conditions and Agreements Prior to Closing.
Each
party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy all of those
conditions to the obligations of the other under this Article
2
that are
not beyond its reasonable control on or prior to the Closing Date. Each party
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
action and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable,
including making or obtaining any and all consents and authorizations, to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including making all filings required under applicable law. Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, Buyer shall not be required to take any action to comply with any
legal requirement or agree to the imposition of any Governmental Entity order,
judgment, or decree that would (a) prohibit or restrict the ownership or
operation by Buyer of any portion of the Acquired Assets, (b) compel Buyer
to
dispose of or hold separate any portion of its assets, or (c) impose any
limitation on the ability of Buyer to own or operate the Business.
2.15 Termination
Prior to Closing.
(a) Events
of Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated in writing at any time prior to the Closing by:
(i)
the mutual consent of Buyer, on the one hand, and Sellers, on the other hand;
(ii) Buyer, if any of the conditions specified in Section 2.2
shall
not have been fulfilled (or if satisfaction becomes impossible) by August 31,
2008 and shall not have been waived by Buyer; (iii) Sellers, if any of the
conditions specified in Section 2.3
shall
not have been fulfilled (or if satisfaction becomes impossible) by August 31,
2008 and shall not have been waived by Sellers; (iv) Buyer, if a material breach
of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by any Seller and such
breach has not been cured or waived by Buyer; and (v) Sellers, if a
material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by Buyer
and such breach has not been cured or waived by Sellers.
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(b) Consequences
of Termination.
If this
Agreement is terminated by mutual consent of Sellers and Buyer, no party hereto
shall have any obligation to any other party as a result of that termination.
If
any party terminates this Agreement for any other reason described in Section
2.15(a),
Buyer,
on the one hand, and Sellers, on the other hand, shall be liable to the other
for any material breach of this Agreement by such party which breach led to
such
termination. Each party shall also be entitled to any other remedy to which
it
may be entitled at law or in equity, including injunctive relief and specific
performance, in the event of a termination of this Agreement. If the Closing
does not occur on or before August 31, 2008 or such later date as the parties
may agree upon, and no party’s material breach of this Agreement was the cause
of the failure to close by that date, then no party shall have any liability
to
the other party under this Agreement, and this Agreement shall terminate. All
rights and obligations of the parties set forth in Article
7
and
Sections 8.1,
8.4,
and
8.5,
and
shall survive termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
3
Representations
and Warranties of Sellers and Seller Principal
Each
Seller and Seller Principal hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants
to Buyer as follows:
3.1 Corporate
Status; Authority.
Each
Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment. Each Seller
is duly qualified and in good standing to do business as a foreign entity in
each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its business or the
ownership, leasing or holding of its properties makes such qualification
necessary, except such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or
in
good standing, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and will not
have
or be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect (a) on the condition
(financial or otherwise), liabilities, properties, assets, or results of
operations of the Business, taken as a whole, or (b) on the ability of any
Seller to perform its obligations under or to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (a “Seller
Material Adverse Effect”).
Each
Seller has all requisite corporate power to carry on its business and operations
as it is now being conducted and to own and operate the Business, and to enter
into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to complete the
transactions contemplated hereby.
3.2 Corporate
Action; Authority; Execution.
All
corporate, individual, board and equity holder actions and proceedings necessary
to be taken by or on the part of each Seller and Seller Principal in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Seller Transaction
Documents have been duly and validly taken, and this Agreement has been duly
and
validly authorized, executed, and delivered by each Seller and Seller Principal
and constitutes, and each of the other Seller Transaction Documents, as
applicable, will be duly and validly authorized, executed, and delivered by
each
Seller and will constitute, the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each
Seller and Seller Principal, enforceable against each Seller and Seller
Principal in accordance with and subject to its terms, except as may be limited
by bankruptcy or other laws affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable
principles.
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3.3 No
Conflicts.
Neither
the execution, delivery, and performance by each Seller of the Seller
Transaction Documents nor the consummation by each Seller of the transactions
contemplated thereby is an event that, by itself or with the giving of notice
or
the passage of time or both, will (a) conflict with any of the Seller’s charter
documents, as the same may have been amended from time to time, (b) constitute
a
violation of, or conflict with, or result in any breach of or any default under,
or constitute grounds for termination or acceleration of, any license, mortgage,
indenture, lease, Contract (including the Assumed Contracts), agreement or
instrument to which each Seller is a party or by which any Seller is bound
or
result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any of
the
Acquired Assets, or (c) violate (i) any judgment, decree, or order or (ii)
any
statute, rule, or regulation, in each such case, applicable to any Seller or
Seller Principal. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Seller of
this Agreement, and the consummation by each Seller of the transactions
contemplated hereby, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with,
any
Governmental Entity.
3.4 Stockholder;
Equity Interests/Subsidiaries.
(a) Schedule
3.4
identifies each and every holder of any equity interest of each Seller and
his
or her respective equity interests in each Seller. Each holder identified on
Schedule
3.4
hereto
is the bona fide owner of the equity interests set forth opposite his or her
name.
(b) The
Acquired Assets do not include, directly or indirectly, any capital stock of
or
other equity interests in any corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, limited liability partnership or other Person, and no Seller is a
member of or participant in any partnership, joint venture, limited liability
company, limited liability partnership or similar Person.
3.5 Financial
Statements and Records.
(a) Each
Seller has delivered to Buyer true, correct, and complete copies of the balance
sheet of Seller as at December 31, 2007 and February 29, 2008 (the “Balance
Sheets”)
and
the statements of income and cash flows of each Seller for the year then ended,
as well as, in each case, the notes thereto (collectively, the “Financial
Statements”).
The
Financial Statements have been prepared based on the books, records, accounts
and related records of each Seller maintained with respect to the Business,
which books, records, accounts and related records are complete and accurately
and fairly present in detail all of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses,
cash flows and transactions of each Seller and have been maintained in
accordance with sound business practices, including the maintenance of adequate
internal controls. The Financial Statements fairly represent in all respects
the
financial position of each Seller as at each Balance Sheet Date, as applicable,
and for the period then ended, all in accordance with GAAP. No Seller has
engaged in any transaction with respect to the Business or used any of the
funds
of any Seller in the conduct of the Business except for transactions and funds
which have been and are reflected in the normally maintained books and records
of the Business.
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(b) The
books
of account and related records of each Seller reflect accurately and in detail
the Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities. The books of account of each Seller
have been maintained in accordance with sound accounting practices, including
the maintenance of adequate internal controls. The minute books of each Seller
contain accurate and complete records of all meetings held of, and corporate
action taken by, the board of each Seller and the committees of the board of
each Seller. No meeting of board members of any Seller or committees of the
board of managers of any Seller has been held for which minutes have not been
prepared and are not contained in the minute books of such Seller. All minute
books of each Seller have been provided to the Buyer.
3.6 Undisclosed
Liabilities.
No
Seller
has any liabilities or obligations (whether pursuant to Contracts or otherwise)
of any kind whatsoever (whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined,
determinable or otherwise) except: (a) those reflected or reserved against
on
the Balance Sheets in the amounts shown thereon; (b) those reflected on
Schedule
3.6;
(c)
those of the same nature as those set forth in the Balance Sheets that have
arisen in the ordinary course of the Business after the Balance Sheet Date
through the date hereof, all of which have been consistent in amount and
character with past practice and experience, none of which, individually or
in
the aggregate, have or could have a Seller Material Adverse Effect, and none
of
which is a liability for breach of contract or warranty or has arisen out of
tort, infringement, violation of law or a lawsuit or threat thereof; or (d)
those arising under this Agreement. From and after the Closing, each Seller
shall have sufficient funds to satisfy its Retained Liabilities.
3.7 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
(a) Since
January 1, 2007, each Seller has used its best efforts consistent with past
practice to preserve the Business and each Seller’s relationships with
customers, suppliers, lenders, creditors, employees, licensors, licensees,
distributors and others with whom any Seller has a business or financial
relationship, and, as of the date hereof, no such Person or group of Persons
having a business or financial relationship with any Seller has informed any
employee of such Seller that such Person intends to change or discontinue such
relationship. Since January 1, 2007, the Business has been conducted in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice as disclosed by Sellers in writing
to Buyer (including with respect to the collection of receivables, payment
of
payables and other liabilities, advertising activities, sales practices
(including promotions, discounts and concessions), capital expenditures and
inventory levels, and contributions to or accruals to or in respect of Benefit
Plans (as defined herein)) and, except as set forth on Schedule
3.7,
there
has not occurred with respect to the Business:
(i) any
event, occurrence, or development which, individually or in the aggregate,
has
had or could have Seller Material Adverse Effect;
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(ii) any
material damage, destruction, or property loss not fully covered by
insurance;
(iii) any
sale
or other disposition of any single capital asset used in the Business having
a
book value in excess of $10,000, or any group of capital assets used in the
Business having an aggregate book value in excess of $50,000;
(iv) any
increase in wage, salary, commission, or other compensation (other than routine
increases granted in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice) payable or to become payable by any Seller to any of its employees,
or
any change in any existing, or creation of any new, insurance or other plan
under which such Seller provides benefits to such employees;
(v) any
release of waiver by any Seller of any claim or right;
(vi) any
dividends or other distributions to any Seller Principal or Affiliates of the
any Seller (other than the distributions for tax purposes on the dates and
in
the amounts set forth on Schedule
3.7);
nor
(vii) any
event
that, had it occurred after the signing of this Agreement and prior to he
Closing, would have constituted a breach of Section 2.4(a)
if
written consent of the Buyer had not been previously obtained.
3.8 Licenses,
Permits and, Authorizations.
Schedule
3.8
lists
and describes all licenses, permits and authorizations that are currently held
by each Seller. The Sellers hold all licenses, permits, and authorizations
required for the conduct of the Business as currently conducted. Such
licenses, permits and authorizations are not subject to any restrictions or
conditions that would limit the operation of the Business and there are no
applications by any Seller or complaints by others pending or threatened before
any Governmental Entity relating to any licenses, permits or authorizations
involving the Acquired Assets, the Business or any Seller.
3.9 Assets
Used in the Business.
Except
for the Excluded Assets, the Acquired Assets constitute all of the assets or
property used or held for use in the Business, and are sufficient to conduct
the
Business as the same is now being conducted in all respects and as the same
is
to be conducted by Buyer. Each Seller is engaged in the Business and no other
business. The Business has only been conducted through the Sellers and not
through any other division or direct or indirect subsidiary or
Affiliate.
3.10 Acquired
Assets.
(a) The
Sellers, collectively, have good and valid title to all Acquired Assets, except
those sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and not in violation of this Agreement, in each
case, free and clear of all Liens of any kind except (i) such as are set forth
on Schedule
3.10(a),
(ii) mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens
arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, and (iii) Liens for Taxes, assessments, governmental charges or
claims that are not yet delinquent (such Liens, encumbrances and imperfections
of title described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) are hereinafter referred
to
collectively as “Permitted
Liens”).
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(b) Schedule
3.10(b)
sets
forth a list of all Tangible Personal Property. All Tangible Personal Property
is in good working condition. All leased personal property used or held for
use
in the Business is in all respects in the condition required of such property
by
the terms of the lease applicable thereto during the term of the lease and
upon
the expiration thereof.
3.11 Real
Property.
(a) Schedule
3.11(a)
sets
forth a complete and accurate list and description of all interests in any
Leased Property and identifies any related leases and reciprocal easements
or
operating agreements. Each of the relevant leases is in full force and effect.
No Seller has received any written notice that any Seller is in default of
any
such lease, and no Seller has sent to any landlord notice that such landlord
is
in default of any such lease. The current use by each Seller of the plants,
offices, and other facilities located on any Leased Real Property does not
violate any local zoning or similar land use or government regulations in any
respect. During the term of the relevant leases, no condemnation of any portion
of any of the Leased Properties has occurred, and no Seller has received any
notice related to any future or proposed condemnation of any portion of any
of
the Leased Properties.
(b) For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Real
Property”
means
leaseholds, and other estates in real property and appurtenances thereto, and
all easements, privileges, rights-of-way, lands underlying any adjacent streets
or roads, licenses, permits and other rights pertaining to or accruing to the
benefit of such leasehold interests and estates in real property, buildings,
warehouses, and fixtures and improvements thereon. The Sellers, collectively,
have good and valid title to the leasehold estates in all the Leased Property,
in each case free and clear of all Liens and other similar restrictions of
any
nature whatsoever.
3.12 Inventory.
The
Inventory is valued on the books and records of each Seller and in the Financial
Statements at the lower of cost or market. All Inventory is accounted for using
the Perpetual Standard Cost method of accounting. All of the finished goods
Inventory is in good, merchantable, and usable condition and is salable in
the
ordinary course of business within a reasonable period of time and at normal
profit margins. All of the raw materials and work-in-progress Inventory of
Sellers can reasonably be expected to be consumed in the ordinary course of
business within a reasonable period of time. None of the Inventory is obsolete,
slow-moving, has been consigned to others or is on consignment from others.
The
quantities of Inventory are not excessive, but are reasonable in the present
and
anticipated circumstances of the Business.
3.13 Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule
3.13(a)
sets
forth a true and complete list of (i) all Intellectual Property owned, used,
filed by, registered or licensed to each Seller in connection with the Business,
and (ii) with respect to registered trademarks, all jurisdictions in which
such
trademarks are registered or applied for and all registrations and application
numbers. The Sellers, collectively, own all right, title and interest in and
to
the Intellectual Property, and Sellers, collectively, have the right to use,
execute, reproduce, display, perform, modify, enhance, distribute, prepare
derivative works of and license, without payment to any other person, all
Intellectual Property listed in Schedule
3.13(a),
and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with,
alter, or impair any such rights. The Sellers, collectively, have all rights
to
the Intellectual Property which are necessary in connection with the Business
as
it is presently being conducted and the Intellectual Property identified on
Schedule
3.13(a)
is all
the Intellectual Property necessary for the operation of the
Business.
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(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.13(b),
(i) no
Seller has granted any licenses or contractual rights relating to Intellectual
Property or the marketing or distribution thereof, and (ii) no Seller is
bound by or a party to any Contracts of any kind relating to the Intellectual
Property of any other Person, except for agreements relating to computer
software licensed to any Seller in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice. Subject to the rights of third parties set forth on
Schedule 3.13(b),
each
Seller warrants that all Intellectual Property listed in Schedule
3.13(b)
is free
and clear of the claims of others and of all Liens whatsoever. The conduct
of
the Business as it is presently being conducted does not violate, conflict
with
or infringe the Intellectual Property of any other Person. Except as set forth
on Schedule
3.13(b),
no
claims are pending or, to the knowledge of any Seller, threatened against any
Seller by any Person with respect to the ownership, validity, enforceability,
effectiveness or use of any Intellectual Property and no Seller has received
any
communications alleging that any Seller has violated any rights relating to
Intellectual Property of any Person.
3.14 Labor
and Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) No
Seller
has any contracts of employment with any employee and no Seller is a party
to or
subject to any collective bargaining agreements with respect to the Business.
Each Seller has delivered to Buyer a true and complete list of all officers
and
key employees and a complete list of all other employees, in each case with
their job titles and compensation, of the Business as of the Closing Date.
Each
of the employees of each of the Sellers who is by law subject to immigration
control, has been granted appropriate permission to remain in PRC or any other
applicable jurisdiction and has a valid work permit issued in relation to his
employment with such Seller and has obtained all necessary extensions to his
leave to remain in Hong Kong, PRC or any other applicable jurisdiction and
so
far as the Seller Principal is aware there are in existence no grounds upon
which any such leave to remain or work permit might be curtailed or the employee
may be required to leave PRC or any other applicable jurisdiction in which
his
services to such Company are required to be performed.
(b) Each
Seller does not have an “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section
3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”),
as
applied to the jurisdictions of the Sellers and Seller Principals (“Employee
Benefit Plan”)),
and
each other employment, pension, welfare, savings, deferred compensation,
severance, termination, holiday, vacation, sick leave, performance, incentive,
bonus, insurance, stock option, stock purchase or other equity-based plan,
program, arrangement or understanding with respect to which any Seller
contributes or has aggregate liability in respect of present or former employees
of the Business in excess of $10,000 (collectively with each Employee Benefit
Plan, “Benefit
Plan”).
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(c) No
employee of any Seller will be entitled to any additional benefits or any
acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any benefits under any Benefit
Plan as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not give
rise to any liability with respect to any Benefit Plan.
(e) No
Seller
is indebted to any of its present or former employees in any amount whatsoever,
other than for accrued wages, bonuses and related benefits and reasonable
reimbursable business expenses incurred in the ordinary course of
business.
(f) No
Seller
has outstanding and unsatisfied, in whole or in part, any loan or advance to
any
of its present or former employees, other than reasonable advances for business
and related expenses made in the ordinary course of business.
(g) Each
Seller has complied in all respects with all laws relating to employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment, equal employment opportunity,
nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective bargaining
and other requirements, the payment of social security and other Taxes and
occupational safety and health.
3.15 Litigation.
Schedule
3.15
sets
forth an accurate and complete list of pending lawsuits or claims with respect
to which (i) any Seller has knowledge, or (ii) any Seller or any employee of
any
Seller has been contacted against or affecting the Acquired Assets, the Assumed
Liabilities, the Business or arising out of the Business. (a) None of the
lawsuits or claims listed in Schedule
3.15
has had
or will be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Seller Material Adverse Effect, (b) there are no unasserted or threatened claims
that, if asserted in writing, would be required to be disclosed in Schedule
3.15,
(c) no
Seller is a party or subject to or in default under any judgment, order,
injunction, or decree of any Governmental Entity or arbitration tribunal
affecting the Acquired Assets or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (d) there is no lawsuit or claim by any Seller pending, or which
any
Seller intends to initiate, against any other Person, and (e) there is no
pending or threatened investigation of or affecting the Acquired Assets or
the
Business by any Governmental Entity.
3.16 Brokers.
There
is
no investment banker, broker or finder or other Person who will have any valid
claim against any Seller for a commission or brokerage fee in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby as a result of any
agreement of, or action taken by, any Seller.
No
Seller has any knowledge of, nor has taken any action which would give rise
to,
any claim for a broker’s or finder’s fee to be paid by Buyer in connection with
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
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21
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3.17 Contracts.
Schedule
3.17
hereto
contains a complete and accurate list of all Contracts of the types described
below to which any Seller is currently a party or otherwise bound (“Material
Contracts”):
(a) Contracts
with any customer or supplier, all engineering service contracts, and contracts
with any agent, advertiser, consultant, advisor, sales representative,
distributor, sales agent or dealer involving an exchange of consideration with
an aggregate value greater than $10,500;
(b) covenants
not to compete;
(c) Contracts
with any Governmental Entity;
(d) agreements,
Contracts or other instruments under which Sellers has borrowed any money from,
or issued any note, bond, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness to, any
Person or any other note, bond, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness
issued to any Person;
(e) Contracts
under which (i) any Person has directly or indirectly guaranteed indebtedness,
liabilities or obligations of any Seller, or (ii) any Seller has directly or
indirectly guaranteed indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any
Person;
(f) pledges,
security agreements, financing statements or other documents granting a Lien
on
any of the Acquired Assets (other than Permitted Liens);
(g) Contracts
under which any Seller has, directly or indirectly, made any advance, loan,
extension of credit or capital contribution to, or other investment in, any
Person;
(h) Contracts
under which any Seller is lessee of, or holds or operates, any machinery,
equipment, vehicle or other tangible personal property owned by a third party
and used in the Business;
(i) Contracts
or other arrangements with any current or former officer, manager, employee,
or
stockholder, or with any relative, beneficiary, or spouse of the foregoing
Persons, or with any Affiliate of any Seller, or any of its respective
Affiliates (each, a “Related
Party”);
(j) each
joint venture or partnership arrangement or agreement, however named, involving
a sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities by any Seller and any Person
or entity;
(k) any
other
Contract, whether or not made in the ordinary course of business, which is
material to the Business or the termination of which has had or may have a
Seller Material Adverse Effect.
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No
Seller
or any other party is (with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice
or both) in default in any respect under any Material Contract. The Sellers
have
made available to Buyer true and complete copies of all Material Contracts.
Each
Material Contract is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid
and
binding obligation of the applicable Seller, and the other parties thereto,
enforceable in accordance with its terms except as may be limited by bankruptcy
or other laws affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles. No Seller
has received any notice (written or oral) of the intention of any party to
terminate or fail to renew any Material Contract.
3.18 Compliance
with Laws.
The
operations of the Business are not now being conducted and have not been
conducted in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, statute, rule or
regulation of any Governmental Entity. No Seller has received any notice from
any Governmental Entity that the operations of the Business are being conducted
in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, statute, rule or regulation
of
any Governmental Entity, or of any investigation or review pending or threatened
by any Governmental Entity investigating or reviewing any alleged
violation.
3.19 Environmental
Matters.
Each
Seller has operated the Business and Leased Property in full compliance with
all
applicable Environmental Laws. No Seller is currently subject to any liability,
penalty or expense (including attorneys’ fees) and will not hereafter suffer or
incur any loss, liability, penalty or expense (including attorneys’ fees) under
Environmental Laws in effect on or prior to the Closing Date by virtue of any
violation of any Environmental Laws occurring on or prior to the Closing Date,
any activity conducted on or with respect to any property on or prior to the
Closing Date or any environmental condition existing on or with respect to
any
property prior to the Closing Date, in each case whether or not any Seller
permitted or participated in such act or omission. No Seller has generated,
transported, stored, treated or disposed of, nor has either of them allowed
or
arranged for any third persons to generate, transport, store, treat or dispose
of, any Hazardous Materials to or at: (a) any location other than a site
lawfully permitted to receive Hazardous Materials for such purposes or
(b) any location designated for remedial action pursuant to federal, state
or local statute and relating to the environment or waste disposal; nor has
any
Seller performed, arranged for or allowed by any method or procedure such
transportation or disposal in contravention of any legal requirements; except
where such violation would not have a Seller Material Adverse Effect on the
Business or operations of any Seller.
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3.20 Taxes.
For
purposes of this Agreement “Taxes”
shall
mean all Federal, state, local and foreign taxes or similar charges, including
all income, franchise, real property, withholding, employment, sales, excise,
business, value-added, deed, Enterprise Income Tax, import duty, stamp duty,
land appreciation, and transfer taxes and any interest and penalties thereon.
Each Seller has timely filed all Tax returns and Tax reports which are required
to be filed (including proper filing extensions) on or prior to the Closing
Date
by the Business (the “Returns”).
All
the Returns were complete and correct in all respects at the time of filing.
All
Taxes due and payable with respect to taxable periods covered by the Returns,
or
with respect to which the Business is or might otherwise be liable for such
periods (including Taxes which the Business may have been required to withhold
from amounts owing to any stockholder, employee, creditor or third party),
have
been timely paid or are being contested in good faith as disclosed on
Schedule
3.20.
No
Seller is delinquent in the payment of any Tax, nor has any Tax deficiency
been
proposed, assessed, or threatened against it. No Liens for Taxes exist with
respect to any assets of the Business (other than Liens for Taxes, assessments,
or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent).
3.21 Insurance.
Each
Seller maintains policies of fire and casualty, liability and other forms of
insurance with respect to the Business in such amounts, with such deductibles
and against such risks and losses, as are appropriate in the Business in which
that Seller is engaged. The insurance policies currently owned and maintained
by
each Seller are listed and described on Schedule
3.21.
All
such policies set forth on Schedule
3.21
are in
full force and effect, all premiums due and payable thereon have been paid
(other than retroactive or retrospective premium adjustments that are not yet,
but may be, required to be paid with respect to any period ending prior to
the
Closing Date), and no notice of cancellation or termination has been received
with respect to any such policy which has not been replaced on substantially
similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation.
3.22 Transactions
with Affiliates.
(a)
None
of the Contracts between any Seller, on the one hand, and any of its Affiliates
or any Related Party, on the other hand, will continue in effect subsequent
to
the Closing, (b) after the Closing, no Seller, Affiliate or Related Party will
have any interest in any property (personal, tangible or intangible) or Contract
used in or pertaining to the Business, (c) no Seller, Affiliate or Related
Party
has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any Person in which the
Business has any direct or indirect ownership interest or with which the
Business competes or has a business relationship,
and (d)
no Seller, nor any Affiliate or Related Party provides any products or services
to the Business.
3.23 Customer
Relations.
There
exists no condition or state of facts or circumstances involving any Seller’s
customers, suppliers, distributors, employees, or sales representatives that
would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Acquired Assets or the
Business after the Closing Date.
3.24 Solvency;
Post-Closing Financial Condition of Sellers.
No
Seller
is now insolvent nor will any Seller be rendered insolvent by any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. As used in this section,
“insolvent” means that the sum of the debts and other probable liabilities of
each Seller exceeds the present fair saleable value of that Seller’s assets.
Immediately following the Closing Date, (i) each Seller will be able to pay
its
liabilities as they become due in the usual course of its business; (ii) no
Seller will have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct its present
or
proposed business; (iii) each Seller will have assets (calculated at fair market
value) that exceed its liabilities; and (iv) each Seller will have and maintain
adequate financial resources to pay, perform, and fully discharge all of such
Seller’s Retained Liabilities and all of such Seller’s obligations set forth in
this Agreement, including, without limitation, those obligations set forth
in
Article 7 hereof.
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3.25 Suppliers;
Raw Materials.
No
Seller
has received any notice or has any reason to believe that there has been any
material adverse change in the price of such raw materials, supplies,
merchandise or other goods or services, or that any such supplier will not
sell
raw materials, supplies, merchandise and other goods to the Buyer at any time
after the Closing Date on terms and conditions similar to those used in its
current sales to the Sellers, subject to general and customary price increases.
No supplier of any Seller has otherwise threatened to take any action described
in the preceding sentence as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
3.26 Access
to Buyer Information.
Seller
Principal and each of the Sellers has had the opportunity to conduct his and
its
own independent investigation of Buyer and collect and review all materials
made
available by Buyer to evaluate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
Seller Principal and his representatives have been provided the opportunity
to
ask questions of, and receive answers from, the directors and officers of Buyer
concerning the business of Buyer. The Seller Principal acknowledges that he
has
had access to sufficient information to understand the merits and risks
associated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. To the extent
that Seller Principal has deemed it appropriate to do so, he has retained,
and
relied upon, appropriate professional advice concerning the tax, legal, business
and financial merits and consequences of consummating the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.
3.27 Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act.
None
of
the Sellers, the Seller Principal, any director, officer, agent or employee
of
any of them, and any other Person associated with or acting for or on behalf
of
any of them has directly or indirectly (1) made any contribution, gift, bribe,
rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other payment to any Person,
private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property, or services
(i) to obtain favorable treatment in securing business, (ii) to pay for
favorable treatment for business secured, (iii) to obtain special concessions
or
for special concessions already obtained, for or in respect of any Seller (or
any Affiliate thereof), in violation of any law or otherwise constituting an
offence under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 of the United States,
as
amended (assuming for these purposes that the Seller Principal and any Seller
were subject to that Act), or (iv) in violation of any law (including without
limitation any relevant and applicable Tax laws or in relation to the payment
or
non-payment of any Taxes by any Seller or the Seller Principal), or (2)
established or maintained any fund or asset that has not been recorded in the
books and records of any Seller, or (3) has violated any anti-corruption or
anti-bribery laws or regulations of the PRC or equivalent laws and regulations
promulgated in any other jurisdictions. None of the assets and properties of
any
Seller were obtained or procured through any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate,
payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other payment to any Person, private
or
public, regardless of form, whether in money, property, or services that would
have violated the foregoing representations and warranties.
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3.28 Additional
PRC Representations.
Schedule
3.28 contains a complete list and accurate corporate particulars of each Seller,
including details of the holders of any equity interest or joint venture parties
therein and the extent of their respective interests. Without limiting the
other
provisions of this Article 3, the following representations and warranties
shall
apply to each Seller:
(a) The
articles, other constitutional documents and certificates of approval and any
related joint venture contracts of the Seller are valid and have been duly
approved and registered (as applicable) by competent PRC Governmental
Entity;
(b) All
business and other licenses, certificates, consents, approvals, qualifications,
permits and other authorizations required from any Governmental Entity under
any
applicable Legal Requirements and Governmental Requirements in the PRC for
the
due and proper establishment and operation of the Seller and its business have
been duly obtained and made and are in full force and effect.
(c) All
filings, declarations, exemptions and registrations from or with all applicable
and competent PRC Governmental Entities required in respect of the Seller and
its operations including, without limitation, registrations with Foreign
Economic Relations and Trade Commission, State or the relevant local
Administration of Industry and Commerce, State Administration for Foreign
Exchange, tax bureau and customs authorities have been duly completed in
accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements and Governmental Requirements
in the PRC.
(d) The
Seller has complied with all applicable Legal Requirements and Governmental
Requirements in the PRC regarding the contribution and payment of the registered
or share capital of such Seller, the payment schedule of which has been approved
by competent PRC Governmental Entities, and all such contributions and payments
due on or prior to the date of Closing have been fully paid. Particulars of
any
such contributions and payments that remain outstanding after the date of
Closing are fully set forth in Schedule 3.28.
(e) The
Seller is not in receipt of any letter or notice from any PRC Governmental
Entity notifying revocation of any permits or licenses issued to it by any
PRC
Governmental Entity for non-compliance or the need for compliance or remedial
actions in respect of the activities carried out by it.
(f) The
Seller has been conducting and will conduct its business activities within
the
permitted scope of its business license or is otherwise operating its business
in full compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements and Governmental
Requirements and with all requisite permits and licenses granted by competent
PRC Governmental Entities or any other Person.
(g) All
licenses and permits required for the conduct of any part of the Business which
are subject to periodic renewal have been obtained and there are no grounds
on
which
such renewals will not be granted by the relevant PRC Governmental Entities
or
other Persons.
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(h) The
Seller has complied with all Legal Requirement and Governmental Requirement
in
the PRC with regard to employment, labor or labor contracts, staff or labor
management or protection, including without limitation those pertaining to
welfare funds, social benefits, social insurance contributions, medical
benefits, insurance, retirement benefits, pensions and the like.
3.29 Disclosure.
No
representation, warranty, or statement of any Seller or any Seller Principal
contained in this Article 3, in any of the Schedules referred to in this Article
3, or in any certificate, instrument, or document delivered by any Seller or
any
Seller Principal to the Buyer pursuant to Section 2.2, including the Seller
Transaction Documents, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein
or
therein not misleading. There is no fact or circumstance known to or anticipated
by any Seller that has application to any Seller (other than general economic
or
industry conditions) and that may adversely affect or threaten the Acquired
Assets or the Business that has not been set forth in this Agreement or the
Schedules.
3.30 Complete
and Accurate Schedules.
Each
Schedule provided by Sellers under this Article 3 constitutes a complete and
accurate list of the items specified to be contained in that Schedule. Each
Seller has furnished to the Buyer complete and accurate copies of all documents
listed or referred to in any Schedule.
ARTICLE
4
Representations
and Warranties of Buyer
4.1 Corporate
Status; Authority.
Buyer
is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its place of incorporation. Buyer is duly qualified and in good standing
to do business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its
business or the ownership, leasing or holding of its properties makes such
qualification necessary, except such jurisdictions where the failure to be
so
qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect (a) on the condition
(financial or otherwise), business, liabilities, properties, assets or results
of operations, taken as a whole, or (b) on the ability to perform its
obligations under or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (a “Buyer
Material Adverse Effect”).
Buyer
has
all requisite power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted,
to
own and operate such business and Buyer has all requisite power to enter into
this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to complete the
transactions contemplated hereby.
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4.2 Corporate
Action.
All
organizational proceedings necessary to be taken by or on the part of Buyer
in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Buyer Transaction Documents
have been duly and validly taken, and this Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered and constitutes, and each of the other Buyer
Transaction Documents will be duly and validly authorized, executed and
delivered and will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligations of
Buyer, enforceable against Buyer, in accordance with and subject to its terms,
except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other
laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable
principles.
4.3 No
Conflicts.
Neither
the execution, delivery and performance by each of Buyer of the Buyer
Transaction Documents, nor the consummation by Buyer of the transactions
contemplated thereby is an event that, by itself or with the giving of notice
or
the passage of time or both, will (a) conflict with the organizational documents
of Buyer, (b) constitute a violation of, or result in any breach of or any
default under, or constitute grounds for termination or acceleration of, any
material mortgage, indenture, lease, contract, agreement or instrument to which
Buyer is a party or by which it is bound, except for such violations, breaches,
terminations, and accelerations as individually or in the aggregate would not
reasonably be expected to have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect or result in
the
creation of any material Lien upon any of Buyer’s assets such that it is
reasonably likely that Buyer will be unable to proceed with the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement, or (c) violate (i) any judgment, decree or
order, or (ii) any statute, rule or regulation, in each such case, applicable
to
Buyer. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement,
and
the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby, require
no
action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity, other
than
filings with the SEC and NASDAQ, and other than actions or filings which, if
not
taken or made, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect or filings and notices not
required to be made or given to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
5
Non-competition
5.1 Defined
Terms.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Restricted
Seller”
means
the Seller Principal and each Seller identified in this Agreement (collectively
the “Restricted
Sellers”
and
each a “Restricted
Seller”).
(b) “Restricted
Employee”
means
any current or former employee, sales representative, consultant, advisor,
agent, or contractor of any Restricted Seller who was employed by, worked for,
or provided services to a Restricted Seller on or before the Closing Date,
and
who accepts an offer of employment with Buyer or who works for, becomes employed
by
or
performs services for Buyer after the Closing Date in connection with the
Acquired Assets of this Agreement.
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(c) “Competitive
Business”
means
any business engaged or preparing to engage in (i) any business competitive
with
any of the types of business activities that Restricted Sellers conducted or
materially prepared to conduct prior to the Closing Date; (ii) manufacturing,
licensing, producing, selling or distributing jewelry products, and (iii) owning
and operating standalone stores, store counters, or any other means for
distribution of jewelry products.
(d) “Specified
Geographic Area” means
the
provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Hebei, the cities of Beijing and Shanghai
and
each and every province, city, county, parish or other political subdivision
within a two hundred (200)
mile radius of any store, counter, distribution location, or other locations
in
the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Heibei, the cities of Beijing and
Shanghai, as well as anywhere in the countries of China, in which the Restricted
Sellers conducted its Business or otherwise distributed, licensed, marketed
or
sold its products or services as of the Closing Date or at any time during
the
twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the Closing Date, so long as
Buyer, or any person or entity deriving title to the goodwill or ownership
interest from Buyer, carries on and conducts a like Business therein.
(e) “Confidential
Information”
means
any and all information in whatever form, tangible or intangible, that is not
generally known to the public and that relates in any way to the Business
conducted by Sellers, including concepts, techniques, processes, methods,
systems, designs, programs, code, formulas, research, technologies, strategies,
plans, and trade secrets, as well as customer lists, customer preferences,
costs, profits, sources of supply, financial data, budgets, marketing data,
business plans and production methods relating to any aspect of the present
or
actual anticipated business of the Sellers; information regarding the skills
and
compensation of other employees, consultants, contractors and/or agents of
the
Sellers; and customer, client or investor names and contact information and
other confidential information relating to all such customers, clients and
investors of Sellers. “Confidential Information” also includes information in
whatever form, tangible or intangible, that is not generally known to the public
and that was provided to Buyer by Sellers or the Seller Principal in connection
with negotiations and other discussions leading up to this Agreement and/or
that
Buyer designates as being confidential. “Confidential Information” does not
include any information that the receiving party can prove becomes publicly
known through no wrongful act of the receiving party.
5.2 Non-competition.
In
light
of the Seller Principal’s ownership interest in the Sellers’ Business, his key
position with the Sellers, his contributions in the past to the growth and
development of the Sellers’ Business, his confidential and proprietary
information relating to the business and operations of the Sellers, and the
significant financial benefit that each will derive from the sale of the
Business, including the sale of substantially all of the Sellers’ assets and the
goodwill value of the Sellers’ Business to Buyer, and in order to preserve for
Buyer the goodwill, proprietary rights and value of the Sellers’ Business, and
to protect Buyer’s investment in the Acquired Assets, including the Confidential
Information of the Sellers, each Restricted Seller hereby covenants and agrees
that during and for the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on
the
later of
(i) the
date that is five (5) years after the Closing Date, or (ii) the date that is
two
(2) years after the termination date of Restricted Seller’s employment with
Buyer or its successors
(and provided
that
Buyer or any person or entity deriving title from Buyer to the Business conducts
a like Business in the Specified Geographic Area) (hereinafter, the
“Restricted
Period”),
the
Restricted Seller (including any Affiliate) shall not, directly or indirectly,
except for on behalf of Buyer or with the prior written approval of
Buyer:
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(a) engage
in, operate, control, carry on, manage, direct or otherwise conduct a
Competitive Business
within the
Specified Geographic Area during the Restricted Period; or
(b) work
for,
be employed by, accept employment with, serve as an agent for, agree to provide
advisory services to, consult with or otherwise assist any Person, entity or
organization that engages in a Competitive Business within the Specified
Geographic Area during the Restricted Period; or
(c) own,
finance, lend to, have an economic interest in, or become associated as a
partner, owner, stockholder, member, or joint venturer, or otherwise have a
business relationship with, any Person, entity or organization (other than
Buyer) engaged in, or about to become engaged in, a Competitive Business within
the Specified Geographic Area during the Restricted Period, provided, however,
that nothing in this Section 5.2(c) shall prohibit Restricted Seller from
holding, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of any securities of
an
entity that is quoted on a national securities exchange or inter-dealer
quotation system; or
(d) plan,
develop, market, or make any preparations to provide assistance to any
Competitive Business or to form a Competitive Business, including but not
limited to any research or development efforts aimed at ultimately benefiting
a
Competitive Business, within the Specified Geographic Area during the Restricted
Period.
5.3 Confidentiality.
Restricted
Sellers acknowledge that due to the nature of their association with Sellers’
Business, each has Confidential Information that is of importance to the
Business of Sellers, affects the value of Sellers’ Business being acquired by
Buyer, and will continue to be confidential subsequent to the Closing Date,
such
that disclosure of such Confidential Information to others or the unauthorized
use of such Confidential Information would cause substantial loss and harm
to
Buyer as purchaser of the Acquired Assets. Accordingly, Restricted Sellers
agree
that at all times hereafter, Restricted Sellers shall not, directly or
indirectly, except for on behalf of Buyer or with the prior written approval
of
Buyer: (a) reveal, disclose, publish, communicate or divulge to any person
or
entity, in any manner whatsoever, any Confidential Information that has come
into Restricted Seller’s knowledge or has been designed by, developed, or
otherwise learned or received by Restricted Seller; (b) authorize, permit or
allow the publication, communication, or disclosure of any Confidential
Information; and (c) either on Restricted Seller’s own behalf or on behalf of
any other Person, use any Confidential Information for any purpose other than
for the benefit of Buyer.
The
terms
of this confidentiality covenant supplement and do not replace any other
agreements to which Restricted Seller may be a party or any other obligations
that Restricted Seller may have under laws regarding confidentiality,
non-disclosure, assignment of inventions, or the protection of intellectual
property, including any employment agreement or other agreement between
Restricted Seller and Buyer or between Restricted Seller and
Sellers.
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5.4 Non-solicitation.
During
the Restricted Period, the Restricted Sellers (including Affiliates) shall
not,
directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage, assist, facilitate or induce any
customer, client, supplier, licensee or franchisee of Sellers as of the Closing
Date (or who were such at any time during the six (6) month period immediately
preceding the Closing Date), to breach any agreement or contract with, or to
discontinue or reduce his, her, or its business relationships with, the Business
of Sellers being acquired by Buyer within the Specified Geographic Area. Each
Restricted Seller further covenants and agrees that during the Restricted
Period, it shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, directly or
indirectly, except for on behalf of Buyer or with the prior written approval
of
Buyer, solicit, recruit, hire, employ or engage any Restricted Employee, or
assist or facilitate any Person or entity other than Buyer in the hiring or
recruitment (including assessment) of any Restricted Employee, or otherwise
encourage, assist, or invite any Restricted Employee to enter into an employment
relationship or a service arrangement of any kind with any Person or entity
other than Buyer.
5.5 Reasonableness
of Restrictions.
Restricted
Sellers acknowledge that Buyer considers the restrictive covenants of this
article 5 to be essential and integral to this Agreement, and Buyer would not
purchase the Acquired Assets without the Restricted Sellers’ execution of this
Agreement containing these restrictive covenants. Restricted Sellers will derive
significant financial benefit from the Closing of this transaction, and the
execution of this Agreement by Restricted Sellers is a condition to the Closing.
Restricted Sellers further acknowledge and agree that the scope of Sellers’
Business is as defined in this Agreement and that the duration of the Restricted
Period as well as the geographic scope of the Specified Geographic Area, and
the
related prohibitions in this article 5, are reasonable and necessary in order
to
protect the value and legitimate interests of Buyer and Buyer’s investment in
the Acquired Assets, including preserving the goodwill of the Business as
obtained pursuant to this Agreement and the Confidential Information of the
Business. Restricted Sellers represent that each will otherwise be able to
obtain gainful employment during the Restricted Period notwithstanding the
provisions of this article 5.
5.6 Remedy
for Breach and Right to Injunction.
Notwithstanding
other provisions of this Agreement, Restricted
Sellers agree that damages in the event of a breach by a Restricted Seller
of
article 5 of this Agreement would be difficult to ascertain and may be an
inadequate remedy. The parties agree that Buyer will have the right to an
immediate injunction or other equitable relief in a state or federal court
with
appropriate jurisdiction to enjoin any such threatened or actual breach, without
any requirement to post bond or provide similar security. The existence of
this
right will not preclude Buyer from pursuing any other rights and remedies at
law
or in equity that Buyer may have, including recovery of damages for any breach
by Restricted Sellers of this article 5.
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5.7 Severability
and Enforceability.
The
provisions contained in the above Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 5.4 as to the time
periods, geographic area, and scope of restricted activities shall be deemed
severable, so that if any provision contained in any such Section of this
Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable due to the asserted
unreasonableness of time, scope or geographical restrictions, such covenants
and
restrictions will be deemed modified so as to be valid and effective for such
period of time, scope and/or for such area as may be determined to be reasonable
by a court of competent jurisdiction and will be enforced accordingly to the
fullest extent lawfully permitted. If any portion of this article 5 is held
to
be invalid or unenforceable for any reason such that it cannot be modified
with
respect to the reasonableness of time, scope or geographical restrictions,
such
provisions will be severed from this Agreement and the remaining covenants
and
restrictions or portions thereof will remain in full force and
effect.
ARTICLE
6
Additional
Covenants
6.1 Access
to Records.
Each
Seller agrees to furnish to Buyer upon request as promptly as practicable,
such
information and assistance relating to the Acquired Assets and the Business
as
is reasonably necessary for the filing of any tax return, declaration or report,
the making of any election related to Taxes, the preparation for any audit
by
any taxing authority, or the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit, or
proceeding; provided,
however,
that
such information and assistance shall be provided in a manner that will not
unreasonably disrupt the business of the party providing information or
assistance. Each Seller shall cooperate fully as to and to the extent reasonably
requested by Buyer, in the conduct of any audit, litigation or other proceeding
to the extent relevant to the Acquired Assets of the Business.
6.2 Litigation
Cooperation.
In
the
event that any Seller or Buyer shall participate in any suit, action, proceeding
or investigation concerning the Business conducted on or prior to the Closing
Date (excluding any such suit, action, proceeding or investigation between
any
Seller and Buyer), the parties shall, upon the request of the party involved
in
such litigation, cooperate fully with such party at such party’s expense in
connection therewith, except to the extent that such litigation arises from
or
constitutes a breach by any such party of any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement contained in this Agreement and the other agreements provided
for
herein.
6.3 Employees.
(a) Each
Seller shall terminate all of the employees of the Business as of the Closing
Date and use all reasonable efforts to cause such employees to make available
their employment services to Buyer. Buyer may offer at-will employment on or
after the Closing Date to any
employee of the Business on the terms and conditions of employment as mutually
agreed to between Buyer and such employees. Those employees who accept such
offers of employment shall be referred to herein as the “Transferred
Employees.”
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(b) At
or
prior to Closing, each Seller shall insure that all compensation and accrued
commissions and bonuses shall have been paid to all terminated employees of
the
Business. Each Seller shall provide or make available to Buyer copies of said
termination notices and evidence of their final payments of such compensation,
commissions and bonuses for all such employees
6.4 Final
Sales Tax Return.
Sellers
shall file its final sales tax Return and pay any and all sales Taxes due,
if
any, within the earlier of (i) when due or (ii) One Hundered and Eighty (180)
days of the Closing Date.
ARTICLE
7
Survival
of Representations and Warranties;
Indemnification
7.1 General
Provisions; Survival.
The
representations and warranties and the covenants and any indemnities with
respect thereto of the parties set forth in this Agreement shall survive the
Closing for a period of three (3) years following the Closing Date to the extent
that claim for breach thereof has not theretofore been made in writing by a
party to the other party, except that (a) the representations and warranties
of
Sellers contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 shall
survive indefinitely following the Closing Date, and (b) the representations
and
warranties of Sellers contained in Sections 3.19 and 3.20 shall survive for
a
period of sixty (60) days following the expiration of the applicable statute
of
limitation relating thereto.
Any
limitation or qualification set forth in any one representation and warranty
in
Article 3 or Article 4 or set forth in any one schedule to this Agreement shall
not limit or qualify, or be deemed to limit or qualify, in any respect, any
other representation and warranty contained in Article 3 or Article 4. The
waiver by either party of any condition at Closing of the breach or inaccuracy
of any representation or warranty, or breach of, or non-compliance with, any
covenant or obligation, will not affect the right of such party to
indemnification, payment of Buyer Damages or Seller Damages, as applicable,
or
other remedy at law or in equity based on such breach, inaccuracy, or
noncompliance.
7.2 Indemnification
by Sellers.
Each
Seller shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend, save and hold Buyer and
its officers, directors, employees, agents, Representatives and Affiliates
(collectively, “Buyer
Indemnitees”)
harmless from and against all demands, claims, allegations, assertions, actions
or causes of action, assessments, losses, damages, deficiencies, liabilities,
costs, expenses and taxes (including reasonable legal fees, interest, penalties,
and all reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of
any
of the foregoing, whether or not any such demands, claims, allegations, etc.,
of
third parties are meritorious; collectively, “Buyer
Damages”)
asserted against, imposed upon, resulting to, required to be paid by or incurred
by any Buyer Indemnitee, directly or indirectly, in connection with or arising
out of:
(a) any
Retained Liability;
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(b) any
breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by any Seller in
this Agreement;
(c) any
breach, non-fulfillment, or non-performance of any covenant or agreement made
by
Sellers in or pursuant to this Agreement to which Sellers is or is to become
a
party; or
(d) any
and
all liabilities for any violation of, noncompliance with or failure by any
Seller existing on the Closing Date or arising out of any transaction entered
into, or any state of facts existing, prior to the Closing Date.
During
the term of the Escrow Agreement, Sellers shall pay to Buyer all Buyer Damages
in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, and thereafter from immediately
available funds.
7.3 Indemnification
by Buyer.
Buyer
shall indemnify, defend, save and hold each Seller and its officers, directors,
employees, Affiliates and agents (collectively, “Seller
Indemnitees”)
harmless from and against any and all demands, claims, actions or causes of
action, assessments, losses, damages, deficiencies, liabilities, costs and
expenses (including reasonable legal fees, interest, penalties, and all
reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the
foregoing, whether or not any such demands, claims, allegations, etc., of third
parties are meritorious; collectively, “Seller
Damages”)
asserted against, imposed upon, resulting to, required to be paid by or incurred
by any Sellers Indemnitee, directly or indirectly, in connection with or arising
out of:
(a) any
Assumed Liability (except to the extent that Buyer is entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Article 7 from any Seller with respect to
such
Assumed Liability);
(b) any
breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by Buyer in this
Agreement; or
(c) any
breach, nonperformance, or nonfulfillment of any covenant or agreement made
by
Buyer in or pursuant to this Agreement to which Buyer is or is to become a
party.
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7.4 Procedures
Relating to Third Party Claims.
In
order
for Buyer Indemnitees or Seller Indemnitees, as the case may be, (the
“indemnified
party”)
to be
entitled to any indemnification provided for under this Agreement in respect
of,
arising out of, or involving a claim or demand made by any Person against the
indemnified party (a “Third
Party Claim”),
such
indemnified party must notify the indemnifying party in writing, and in
reasonable detail, of the Third Party Claim within thirty (30) business days
after receipt by such indemnified party of written notice of the Third Party
Claim (the “Claim
Notice”);
provided,
however,
that
failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided
hereunder except to the extent the indemnifying party demonstrates that it
has
been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any expenses incurred during the
period in which the indemnified party failed to give such Claim Notice to the
extent such expenses resulted from such failure to give notice). Thereafter,
the
indemnified party shall deliver to the indemnifying party, within ten (10)
business days after the indemnified party’s receipt thereof, copies of all
notices and documents (including court documents) received by the indemnified
party relating to the Third Party Claim. If a Third Party Claim is made against
an indemnified party, the indemnified party shall be entitled to conduct and
control, through counsel of its choosing, the defense of any Third Party
Claim.
The
indemnified party may compromise or settle any Third Party Claim so long as
the
indemnified party gives the indemnifying party advance notice of any proposed
compromise or settlement. The indemnified party shall permit the indemnifying
party to participate in the defense of any Third Party Claim through counsel
chosen by the indemnifying party, so long as all fees and expenses of such
counsel are borne by the indemnifying party. If the indemnified party permits
the indemnifying party to undertake, conduct, and control the defense and
settlement of a Third Party Claim: (a) the indemnifying party shall not permit
any lien to exist upon any asset of the indemnified party, including, without
limitation, the Acquired Assets, (b) the indemnifying party shall not consent
to
any compromise or settlement that does not include as an unconditional term
of
such compromise or settlement the giving of a complete release from liability
with respect to such Third Party Claim to the indemnified party, (c) the
indemnifying party shall permit the indemnified party to participate in such
defense or settlement through counsel chosen by the indemnified party, and
(d)
the indemnifying party shall agree promptly to reimburse the indemnified party
for the full amount of any damages, including fees and expenses of counsel
for
the indemnified party.
If
the
indemnified party permits the indemnifying party to assume the defense of any
Third Party Claim, the indemnified party shall cooperate with the indemnifying
party in the defense or prosecution thereof. Such cooperation shall include
the
retention and (upon the indemnifying party’s reasonable request) the provision
to the indemnifying party of records and information which are reasonably
relevant to such Third Party Claim, and making employees available on a
reasonable basis to provide additional information and explanation of any
material provided hereunder.
Within
ten (10) business days or the receipt of a Claim Notice, the Sellers, Seller
Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be, shall deliver to the Escrow Agent
and
the Sellers, Seller Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be, a notice
(“Objection
Notice”)
stating they intend to contest the claim (a “Contest”)
or to
accept liability thereunder.
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(a) If
the
Sellers, Seller Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be, do not give an
Objection Notice within that ten (10) business day period, the Sellers, Seller
Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be, will be deemed to accept liability
as
it relates to such claim.
(b) If
Buyer
gives a timely Objection Notice, then within thirty (30) business days of the
receipt thereof, the Sellers, Seller Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be,
shall select an independent arbitrator (the “Independent
Arbitrator”).
The
Independent Arbitrator shall be selected by the mutual agreement of the Sellers,
Seller Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be. If the parties cannot agree
on
the identity of an Independent Arbitrator within ten (10) business days of
the
date of an Objection Notice, then the Independent Arbitrator will be determined
by an arbitrator selected by the Seller Principal and an arbitrator selected
by
Buyer. The decision of the Independent Arbitrator shall be borne as directed
by
him. The Sellers, Seller Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be, shall be
entitled to make such representation and provide such information and reports
to
the Independent Arbitrator within twenty (20) business days of the date of
agreement or, if later, determination of the identity of the Independent
Arbitrator. The Sellers, Seller Principal, or Buyer, as the case may be, shall
use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to procure that the
Independent Arbitrator issues his/her ruling within thirty (30) business days
after the matter is submitted to him/her for consideration.
(c) If
the
Sellers or Seller Principal give a timely Objection Notice, the Escrow Agent
shall not take any further action with respect to the claim being Contested
except as further provided in the Escrow Agreement.
7.5 Other
Claims.
In
the
event any indemnified party should have a claim against any indemnifying party
under Section 7.2 or 7.3 that does not involve a Third Party Claim being
asserted against or sought to be collected from such indemnified party, the
indemnified party shall deliver notice (“Claims
Notice”)
of such
claim with reasonable promptness to the indemnifying party. The failure by
any
indemnified party so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the
indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to such indemnified
party under Section 7.2 or 7.3, except to the extent that the indemnifying
party demonstrates that it has been actually prejudiced by such failure or
to
the extent such failure extends beyond the applicable survival period set forth
in Section 7.1. If the indemnifying party does not notify the indemnified party
within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such Claims Notice that the
indemnifying party disputes its liability to the indemnified party under Section
7.2 or 7.3, such claim specified by the indemnified party in such notice shall
be conclusively deemed a liability of the indemnifying party under Section
7.2
or 7.3 and the indemnifying party shall pay the amount of such liability to
the
indemnified party on demand or, in the case of any notice in which the amount
of
the claim (or any portion thereof) is estimated, on such later date when the
amount of such claim (or such portion thereof) becomes finally determined.
If
the indemnifying party has timely disputed its liability with respect to such
claim, as provided above, the indemnifying party and
the
indemnified party shall proceed in good faith to negotiate a resolution of
such
dispute, and, if not resolved through negotiations, such dispute shall be
resolved by litigation in an appropriate court of competent
jurisdiction.
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ARTICLE
8
Miscellaneous
8.1 Costs
and Expenses.
Buyer
will pay all legal fees and appraisal fees prior to Closing and all of such
amounts paid by Buyer shall be deducted in full from the Cash Purchase Price
that is to be paid to Sellers. Other than the foregoing, each party hereto
shall
bear all its expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including, without limitation, accounting, legal and
financial advisory fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith.
8.2 Assignments.
No
party
hereto may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its duties under this
Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any such
attempted assignment or delegation
without such consent shall be void
and of
no force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall have the right
to assign its rights and delegate its duties under this Agreement to any of
its
Affiliates or any successor companies (whether by merger, operation of law,
or
otherwise) or acquirer of all or substantially all of Buyer’s
assets.
8.3 Further
Assurances.
The
parties shall from time to time do and perform such additional acts and execute
and deliver such additional documents and instruments as may be required or
reasonably requested by any party to establish, maintain or protect its rights
and remedies or to effect the purpose of this Agreement.
8.4 Public
Announcement.
No
party
shall, without the prior approval of the others, make any press release, public
announcement, or other disclosure concerning the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, except in the case of Sellers and Buyer, to such of their
respective employees, agents, and representatives who have a need to
know.
8.5 Notices.
Notices
and other communications required or provided for herein shall be in writing
(which shall include notice by facsimile transmission) and shall be deemed
to
have been duly given and received (a) upon receipt, when delivered by hand
or
personal delivery, (b) upon transmission, when sent by facsimile transmission
(with written confirmation of successful transmission), (c) on the second
business day after the date of mailing, if delivered by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service (receipt requested), or (d) upon receipt, if
delivered by certified or registered mail (receipt requested), in each case
addressed as follows:
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If
to
Sellers or Seller Principal:
Chujian
Huang__________
______________________
______________________
with
a
copy to:
______________________
______________________
______________________
If
to
Buyer:
Fuqi
International Holdings Co., LTD.
Xxxx
0000, Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
00
Xxxx
Sum Avenue
Sheung
Shui, New Territories
HKSAR
Attention:
Yu Xxxx Xxxxx
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxxxxxx
& Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx LLP
00000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx., 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
or
to
such other address as a party may from time to time designate in writing to
each
of the other parties in accordance with this Section 8.5.
8.6 Amendment
and Modification.
This
Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented at any time only by the
written agreement of the parties hereto.
8.7 Captions.
The
captions of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only
and
shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions
of this Agreement.
8.8 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles
thereof.
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38
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8.9 Waiver
of Provisions.
The
terms, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement
may be amended, modified or waived only by a written instrument executed by
the
party sought to be bound thereby. The failure of any party at any time or times
to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall in no manner
affect the right of such party at a later date to enforce the same. No waiver
by
any party of any condition or the breach of any provision, term, covenant,
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct
or
otherwise, in any one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed
as a
further or continuing waiver of any such condition or of the breach of any
other
provision, term, covenant, representation or warranty of this
Agreement.
8.10 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more facsimile counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
8.11 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto (which are incorporated
herein by reference), constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of
the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes,
cancels, and replaces any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements (including
any letter of intent or term sheet), understandings, and negotiations between
the parties and constitutes a complete and exclusive statement of the terms
of
the agreement between and among the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
This
Agreement is in the English language and shall govern the terms of this
Agreement over any translated versions of this Agreement.
8.12 Definitions;
Construction.
(a) As
used
herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“1933
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under the direct or indirect common control
with
such specified Person.
“GAAP”
means
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
“Governmental
Entity”
means
any domestic or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, whether
on
a federal, state or local level and whether executive, legislative or judicial
in nature, including any agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, court,
department or other instrumentality thereof.
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39
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“Governmental
Requirement”
means
at any time (i) any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, regulation,
judgment, decree, injunction, writ, edict, award, authorization or other
requirement of any Governmental Entity in effect at that time or (ii) any
obligation included in any certificate, certification, franchise, permit or
license issued by any Governmental Entity or resulting from binding arbitration,
including any requirement under common law, at that time.
“Hazardous
Materials”
means
all substances defined as any (A) hazardous substance as defined by any
Environmental Law, (B) any petroleum or petroleum product, oil or waste oil;
(C)
any asbestos or polychlorinated byphenyls; (D) any hazardous material, toxic
substance, toxic pollutant, solid waste, municipal waste, industrial waste,
hazardous waste, flammable material, radioactive material, pollutant or
contaminant or words of similar meaning and regulatory effect under any
applicable Environmental Law; and (E) any other chemical, material, or substance
exposure to which or whose discharge, emission, disposal or Release is
prohibited, limited, or regulated under any applicable Environmental
Law.
“Knowledge,”
“to
the knowledge,”
“known”
or
similar variations thereof shall mean:, as it relates to the Seller Principal
or
any company, the actual knowledge of the Seller Principal, plus such knowledge
as the Seller Principal or each company would have acquired after due
investigation of the relevant fact or matter (including making all necessary
enquiries with the respective officers, directors and employees of each
company), regardless of whether such investigation has actually occurred, and
as
to any other Person, the actual knowledge of a specified Person of any
particular fact or other matter after due investigation, and the words “aware,”
“known” or similar words, expressions or phrases shall be construed
accordingly.
“Legal
Requirement”
means
any law, regulation, rule, ordinance, decree, order or other standard imposed
by
a Governmental Entity applicable to a party or the conduct or operation of
its
business or the ownership or use of any of its assets, including, in the case
of
any Company, all those imposed under the laws of the PRC, or any equivalent
or
similar laws, rules, regulations or requirements of any other applicable
jurisdiction.
“Person”
means
an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, a
joint venture, a business association, a trust or any other entity or
organization, including a Governmental Entity.
“PRC”
means
the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement,
the Macau Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“Release”
means
any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping,
injection, deposit, disposal, dispersal, leaching or migration of Hazardous
Materials into the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air,
surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface strata).
“Representative”
when
used with respect to any Person means any directors, officers, employees,
stockholders, agents or representatives (including attorneys, accountants,
consultants, banks and financial advisors) of such Person.
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40
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(b) The
definitions in this Agreement shall apply equally to both the singular and
plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun
shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words
“include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the
phrase “without limitation.” All references herein to Articles, Sections,
Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections
of,
and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise
require.
8.13 No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement is not intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties
hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns any rights or
remedies hereunder.
8.14 Jurisdiction;
Service of Process.
Any
action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any right
arising out of, this Agreement may be brought against either party in the courts
of the State of Delaware. Each party irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction
of
these courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such action or
proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid in such courts. Original
process in any action or proceeding referred to in the preceding sentence may
be
served on any party (anywhere in the world) by nationally recognized overnight
courier service (receipt requested) in accordance with the notice provisions
set
forth in this Agreement, and service so made will be conclusively deemed to
be
accepted and completed for all purposes (notwithstanding any more restrictive
service requirements set forth in any applicable federal or state rules of
civil
procedure governing service of original process) on the second business day
after deposit with such courier.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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41
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Buyer, Sellers, and Seller Principal have each caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day
and year first above written.
FUQI
INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Yu Xxxx Xxxxx
|
Name:
|
Yu
Xxxx Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
Chairman
& Chief Executive Officer
|
SELLERS:
|
|
BEIJING
YINZHONG TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
Legal
Representative
|
SHANGHAI
TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
Legal
Representative
|
SELLER
PRINCIPAL:
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
[Exhibit
A to Asset Purchase Agreement - Form of Assignment and Assumption
Agreement]
ASSIGNMENT
AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT is made the __ day of _____, 2008, by and
between Fuqi International Holdings Co., LTD., a British Virgin Islands company
(the “Buyer”),
Beijing YinZhong TianMei Jewelry Co., Ltd., a company established under the
laws
of the PRC (“TianMei
Beijing”),
Shanghai TianMei Jewelry Co., Ltd., a company established under the laws of
the
PRC (the “TianMei
Shanghai”
and
together with TianMei
Beijing,
collectively the “Sellers”
and
each a “Seller”),
and
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, an individual residing in the PRC with holder of PRC identity
card no. 440105196302250950 (the “Seller
Principal”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
Sellers, Buyer and Seller Principal entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement
dated as of April 18, 2008 (the “Asset
Purchase Agreement”),
pursuant to which the Sellers agreed to sell and the Buyer agreed to purchase
the Acquired Assets;
WHEREAS,
the Asset Purchase Agreement provides that the Buyer shall, as of the date
hereof, assume certain of the Sellers’ obligations and liabilities, subject to
and in accordance with the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement;
and
WHEREAS,
the Asset Purchase Agreement contemplates that this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement be entered into and delivered as of the date hereof.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, and the covenants and agreements
contained herein and in the Asset Purchase Agreement, and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the Sellers, Seller Principal and the Buyer hereby agree
as follows:
1. The
Sellers hereby assign, transfer and deliver to the Buyer all of the Sellers’
right, title and interest in and to the Acquired Assets. The Buyer hereby
assumes and agrees to perform, pay or discharge all of the Assumed Contracts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Buyer shall not assume, perform, pay or
discharge any of the Retained Liabilities.
2. The
Sellers, Seller Principal and the Buyer shall execute and deliver, or cause
to
be executed and delivered, from time to time hereafter, upon request, all such
further documents and instruments and shall do and perform all such acts as
may
be reasonably necessary to give full effect to the intent of this Assignment
and
Assumption Agreement.
3. All
capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings given them in the Asset Purchase Agreement.
4. The
terms
of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to
the
benefit of, and be enforceable by the respective successors and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.
5. This
Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of Delaware without regard to any conflicts of law provisions. Each of the
Buyer, Sellers and Seller Principal hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a)
agrees that any suit, action or legal proceeding arising out of or relating
to
this Assignment and Assumption Agreement or any agreement contemplated hereby
brought by any such party shall be brought in the courts of the State of
Delaware; (b) consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in
any
suit, action or proceeding; and (c) waives any objection which it may have
to
the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any of such courts
and, in connection therewith, all defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction
and
forum inconveniencies.
6. This
Assignment and Assumption Agreement is made subject to and in accordance with
the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement and the Disclosure Schedules, which
are incorporated herein by reference.
7. The
provisions of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall not confer any
rights on any person not a party to (a) the Asset Purchase Agreement or a
permitted assignee thereof or (b) this Assignment and Assumption Agreement.
8. This
Assignment and Assumption Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day
and year first set forth above.
BUYER:
|
|
FUQI
INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Yu Xxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Title: Chairman
& Chief Executive Officer
|
|
SELLERS:
|
|
BEIJING
YINZHONG TIANMEI JEWELRY CO.,
|
|
LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Title:
Legal Representative
|
|
SHANGHAI
TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Title:
Legal Representative
|
|
SELLER
PRINCIPAL:
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
[Exhibit
C to Asset Purchase Agreement - Form of Xxxx of Sale]
XXXX
OF SALE
THIS
XXXX
OF SALE, dated as of the __ day of _____, 2008, by and between Fuqi
International Holdings Co., LTD., a British Virgin Islands company (the
“Buyer”),
Beijing YinZhong TianMei Jewelry Co., Ltd., a company established under the
laws
of the PRC (“TianMei
Beijing”),
Shanghai TianMei Jewelry Co., Ltd., a company established under the laws of
the
PRC (the “TianMei
Shanghai”
and
together with TianMei
Beijing,
collectively the “Sellers”
and
each a “Seller”),
and
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, an individual residing in the PRC with holder of PRC identity
card no. 440105196302250950 (the “Seller
Principal”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
Buyer, Sellers and Seller Principal have entered into that certain Asset
Purchase Agreement dated as of April 18, 2008 (the“Asset
Purchase Agreement”),
which
provides, inter
alia,
for the
sale by the Sellers to the Buyer of all of the right, title and interest in
and
to the Acquired Assets (as defined below).
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section
1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings given them in the Asset Purchase Agreement.
Section
2. Xxxx
of Sale.
The
Sellers hereby sell, convey, transfer and assign to the Buyer and the Buyer
hereby purchases, acquires and accepts from the Sellers, all right, title and
interest in and to all of the Acquired Assets, other than the Excluded Assets
free and clear of any and all Liens and subject to and in accordance with the
provisions of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
Section
3. Effective
Date.
The
sale, conveyance, transfer and assignment by the Sellers, and the acceptance
by
the Buyer, of the Acquired Assets, shall be effective as of the date
hereof.
Section
4. Further
Assurances.
The
Sellers and Seller Principal shall from time to time, at the Buyer’s request and
without further consideration, execute and deliver to the Buyer such instruments
of transfer, conveyance and assignment as the Buyer may reasonably request
to
evidence further any transfer, conveyance and assignment of the Acquired Assets
to the Buyer pursuant to this Xxxx of Sale.
Section
5. Miscellaneous.
This
Xxxx of Sale may be executed in two or more facsimile counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together
shall constitute one and the same instrument. The terms and conditions of this
Xxxx of Sale shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable
by the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties
hereto.
Section
6. Governing
Law.
This
Xxxx of Sale shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of
the State of Delaware without regard to any conflicts of law provisions. Each
of
the Buyer, Sellers and Seller Principal irrevocably and unconditionally: (a)
agrees that any suit, action or legal proceeding arising out of or relating
to
this Xxxx of Sale brought by either party shall be brought in the courts of
the
State of Delaware; (b) consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such
court
in any suit, action or proceeding; and (c) waives any objection which it may
have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any of
such courts and, in connection therewith, all defenses of lack of personal
jurisdiction and forum inconveniencies.
[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sellers have executed this Xxxx of Sale as of the date
and
year first above written.
BUYER:
|
|
FUQI
INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Yu Xxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Title:
Chairman & C.E.O.
|
|
SELLERS:
|
|
BEIJING
YINZHONG TIANMEI JEWELRY CO.,
|
|
LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Title:
Legal Representative
|
|
SHANGHAI
TIANMEI JEWELRY CO., LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Title:
Legal Representative
|
|
SELLER
PRINCIPAL:
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|