STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT among ALASKA DISPATCH PUBLISHING, LLC, an Alaska limited liability company, MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS, INC., a Delaware corporation, and THE McCLATCHY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
Exhibit 2.1
among
ALASKA DISPATCH PUBLISHING, LLC,
an Alaska limited liability company,
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS, INC.,
a Delaware corporation,
and
THE McCLATCHY COMPANY,
a Delaware corporation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. | DEFINITIONS | 1 |
1.1 | “Accounts Receivable” | 1 |
1.2 | “Acquired Employees” | 1 |
1.3 | “Affiliate” | 1 |
1.4 | “Agreement” | 2 |
1.5 | “Ancillary Agreements” | 2 |
1.6 | “Assignment and Assumption Agreement” | 2 |
1.7 | “Assumed Liabilities” | 2 |
1.8 | “Basket” | 2 |
1.9 | “Best Efforts” | 2 |
1.10 | “Books and Records” | 2 |
1.11 | “Business” | 2 |
1.12 | “Business Day” | 2 |
1.13 | “Business Employees” | 2 |
1.14 | “Business Financial Statements” | 2 |
1.15 | “Business Material Contracts” | 2 |
1.16 | “Buyer” | 2 |
1.17 | “Buyer Indemnified Persons” | 2 |
1.18 | “Cap” | 2 |
1.19 | “Cause” | 2 |
1.20 | “Closing” | 2 |
1.21 | “Closing Date” | 3 |
1.22 | “COBRA” – the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended. | 3 |
1.23 | “Company” | 3 |
1.24 | “Company Real Property” | 3 |
1.25 | “Confidentiality Agreement” | 3 |
1.26 | “Consent” | 3 |
1.27 | “Contemplated Transactions” | 3 |
1.28 | “Contract” | 3 |
1.29 | “Damages” | 3 |
1.30 | “Disclosure Schedule” | 3 |
1.31 | “Domain Names” | 3 |
1.32 | “Encumbrance” | 3 |
1.33 | “Environmental Law” | 3 |
1.34 | “ERISA” | 4 |
1.35 | “End Date” | 4 |
1.36 | “Excluded Assets” | 4 |
1.37 | “Excluded Liabilities” | 4 |
1.38 | “GAAP” | 4 |
1.39 | “Governmental Authorization” | 4 |
1.40 | “Governmental Body” | 4 |
1.41 | “Hazardous Materials” | 4 |
i |
1.42 | “Indemnified Person” | 4 |
1.43 | “Intellectual Property Assets” | 4 |
1.44 | “IRC” | 5 |
1.45 | “IRS” | 5 |
1.46 | “Knowledge” | 5 |
1.47 | “Legal Requirement” | 5 |
1.48 | “Liability” | 5 |
1.49 | “Material Adverse Effect” | 5 |
1.50 | “Material Lease” | 5 |
1.51 | “McClatchy” | 5 |
1.52 | “Order” | 6 |
1.53 | “Ordinary Course of Business” | 6 |
1.54 | “Organizational Documents” | 6 |
1.55 | “Owned Real Property” | 6 |
1.56 | “Permitted Encumbrance” | 6 |
1.57 | “Person” | 6 |
1.58 | “Pre-Closing Income Tax Return” | 6 |
1.59 | “Pre-Closing Tax Period” | 6 |
1.60 | “Proceeding” | 6 |
1.61 | “Property Taxes” | 6 |
1.62 | “Purchase Price” | 6 |
1.63 | “Representative” | 6 |
1.64 | “Section 338 Asset Allocation Schedule” | 6 |
1.65 | “Securities Act” | 7 |
1.66 | “Seller” | 7 |
1.67 | “Seller Benefit Plans” | 7 |
1.68 | “Seller Entities” | 7 |
1.69 | “Seller Indemnified Persons” | 7 |
1.70 | “Seller’s Knowledge” | 7 |
1.71 | “Shares” | 7 |
1.72 | “Site Access Agreement” | 7 |
1.73 | “Straddle Period” | 7 |
1.74 | “Studies” | 7 |
1.75 | “Subsidiary” | 7 |
1.76 | “Survival Period” | 8 |
1.77 | “Tax Contest” | 8 |
1.78 | “Tax Election” | 8 |
1.79 | “Tax Return” | 8 |
1.80 | “Taxes” | 8 |
1.81 | “Termination Date” | 8 |
1.82 | “Threatened” | 8 |
1.83 | “Title Company” | 8 |
1.84 | “Title Policy” | 8 |
1.85 | “Transition Services Agreement” | 8 |
1.86 | “Trademarks” | 8 |
1.87 | “Working Capital” | 8 |
ii |
ARTICLE II. | PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; CLOSING | 9 |
2.1 | Purchase and Sale of Shares | 9 |
2.2 | Assumption of Liabilities | 9 |
2.3 | Purchase Price | 10 |
2.4 | Closing | 12 |
2.5 | Closing Obligations | 12 |
ARTICLE III. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER | 13 |
3.1 | Organization and Good Standing | 13 |
3.2 | Authority; No Conflict | 14 |
3.3 | Capitalization | 15 |
3.4 | Financial Statements | 15 |
3.5 | Books and Records | 16 |
3.6 | Title to Properties; Encumbrances | 16 |
3.7 | Sufficiency of Assets | 16 |
3.8 | Accounts Receivable | 16 |
3.9 | Inventory | 17 |
3.10 | No Undisclosed Liabilities | 17 |
3.11 | Taxes | 17 |
3.12 | No Material Adverse Change | 17 |
3.13 | Employee Benefits | 17 |
3.14 | Compliance with Legal Requirements; Governmental Authorizations | 18 |
3.15 | Legal Proceedings; Orders | 19 |
3.16 | Absence of Certain Changes and Events | 19 |
3.17 | Contracts; No Defaults | 20 |
3.18 | Insurance | 21 |
3.19 | Environmental Matters | 22 |
3.20 | Labor Relations; Compliance | 22 |
3.21 | Intellectual Property | 23 |
3.22 | Disclosure | 24 |
3.23 | Brokers or Finders | 24 |
3.24 | No Other Representations or Warranties | 24 |
ARTICLE IV. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER | 24 |
4.1 | Organization and Good Standing | 24 |
4.2 | Authority; No Conflict | 25 |
4.3 | Investment Intent | 25 |
4.4 | Certain Proceedings | 25 |
4.5 | Brokers or Finders | 25 |
4.6 | Financing | 26 |
4.7 | Solvency | 26 |
iii |
ARTICLE V. | COVENANTS | 26 |
5.1 | Access and Investigation | 26 |
5.2 | Confidentiality | 27 |
5.3 | Operation of the Businesses of the Company | 27 |
5.4 | Negative Covenant | 28 |
5.5 | Required Approvals | 28 |
5.6 | Notification | 28 |
5.7 | Intercompany Indebtedness | 28 |
5.8 | Tax Election | 28 |
5.9 | Cooperation in Post-Closing Litigation | 29 |
5.10 | Operation of the Business | 29 |
5.11 | Transaction Costs | 29 |
5.12 | Retention of and Access to Records | 29 |
5.13 | Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation | 30 |
5.14 | Tax Matters | 32 |
ARTICLE VI. | EMPLOYMENT MATTERS | 34 |
6.1 | Employee and Employee Benefit Matters | 34 |
6.2 | Reimbursement for Workers’ Compensation Claims | 35 |
6.3 | Cooperation | 36 |
ARTICLE VII. | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE | 36 |
7.1 | Accuracy of Representations | 36 |
7.2 | Seller’s Performance | 36 |
7.3 | Consents | 37 |
7.4 | No Proceedings | 37 |
7.5 | No Claim Regarding Stock Ownership or Sale Proceeds | 37 |
7.6 | No Prohibition | 37 |
7.7 | Owned Real Property, Domain Names, Trademarks | 37 |
ARTICLE VIII. | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE | 37 |
8.1 | Accuracy of Representations | 37 |
8.2 | Buyer’s Performance | 38 |
8.3 | Consents | 38 |
8.4 | Additional Documents | 38 |
8.5 | No Proceedings | 38 |
8.6 | No Prohibition | 38 |
iv |
ARTICLE IX. | TERMINATION | 38 |
9.1 | Termination Events | 38 |
9.2 | Effect of Termination | 39 |
9.3 | Liquidated Damages | 40 |
ARTICLE X. | INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES | 41 |
10.1 | Survival; Right to Indemnification Not Affected by Knowledge | 41 |
10.2 | Indemnification and Payment of Damages by Sellers | 41 |
10.3 | Indemnification and Payment of Damages by Buyer | 42 |
10.4 | Time Limitations | 42 |
10.5 | Procedure for Indemnification | 42 |
10.6 | Limitations on Indemnification | 43 |
10.7 | Exclusive Remedy | 44 |
ARTICLE XI. | GENERAL PROVISIONS | 45 |
11.1 | Public Announcements | 45 |
11.2 | Confidentiality | 45 |
11.3 | Notices | 45 |
11.4 | Service of Process | 46 |
11.5 | Disputes | 46 |
11.6 | Further Assurances | 46 |
11.7 | Waiver | 46 |
11.8 | Entire Agreement and Modification | 47 |
11.9 | Assignments, Successors, and No Third-Party Rights | 47 |
11.10 | Severability | 47 |
11.11 | Section Headings; Construction | 47 |
11.12 | Time of Essence | 48 |
11.13 | Governing Law | 48 |
11.14 | Counterparts | 48 |
11.15 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 48 |
v |
This Stock Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of April 8, 2014, by and among ALASKA DISPATCH PUBLISHING, LLC, an Alaska limited liability company (“Buyer”), McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Seller”), and THE McCLATCHY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation and sole shareholder of Seller (“McClatchy”).
The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Article I:
1.1 “Accounts Receivable” — as defined in Section 3.8.
1.2 “Acquired Employees” — current employees of the Company who on the Closing Date, are on the payroll of the Company, and actively at work or on an approved leave of absence.
1.3 “Affiliate” — of any specified Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.
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1.4 “Agreement” — as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
1.5 “Ancillary Agreements” — the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, and the instruments described in clause (iii) of Section 2.5(a) and clauses (ii) and (v) of Section 2.5(b).
1.6 “Assignment and Assumption Agreement” — as defined in Section 2.5(a)(ii).
1.7 “Assumed Liabilities” — as defined in Section 2.2(b).
1.8 “Basket” — as defined in Section 10.6(a).
1.9 “Best Efforts” — the efforts that a prudent Person desirous of achieving a result would use in similar circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved as expeditiously as possible; provided, however, that an obligation to use Best Efforts under this Agreement does not require the Person subject to that obligation to take actions that would result in a materially adverse change in the benefits to such Person of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions.
1.10 “Books and Records” — as defined in Section 3.5.
1.11 “Business” — as defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
1.12 “Business Day” — a day (a) other than Saturday or Sunday and (b) on which commercial banks are open for business in the State of Alaska.
1.13 “Business Employees” — current or former employees, independent contractors, or consultants of the Company (with respect to their relationship to the Business).
1.14 “Business Financial Statements” — as defined in Section 3.4.
1.15 “Business Material Contracts” — as defined in Section 3.17.
1.16 “Buyer” — as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
1.17 “Buyer Indemnified Persons” — as defined in Section 10.2.
1.18 “Cap” — as defined in Section 10.6(b).
1.19 “Cause” — with regard to any termination, termination for violation of an applicable policy or procedure, poor performance, inability to perform one’s duties, job abandonment, or any other act or omission constituting “just cause” under the law of the State of Alaska.
1.20 “Closing” — as defined in Section 2.4.
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1.21 “Closing Date” — as defined in Section 2.4.
1.22 “COBRA” — the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.
1.23 “Company” — as defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
1.24 “Company Real Property” — as defined in Section 3.6.
1.25 “Confidentiality Agreement” — as defined in Section 5.2.
1.26 “Consent” — any approval, consent, ratification, waiver, or other authorization (including any Governmental Authorization).
1.27 “Contemplated Transactions” — all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including:
(a) the sale of the Shares by Seller to Buyer;
(b) the assumption by Buyer of the Assumed Liabilities;
(c) the performance by Buyer and Seller of their respective covenants and obligations under this Agreement; and
(d) Buyer’s acquisition and ownership of the Shares and exercise of control over the Company.
1.28 “Contract” — any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, or undertaking (whether written or oral and whether express or implied) that is legally binding.
1.29 “Damages” — as defined in Section 10.2.
1.30 “Disclosure Schedule” — the disclosure schedule delivered by Seller to Buyer concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
1.31 “Domain Names” — as defined in Section 3.21(a)(ii).
1.32 “Encumbrance” — any charge, claim, community property interest, condition, equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest, right of first refusal, or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income, or exercise of any other attribute of ownership.
1.33 “Environmental Law” — any Legal Requirement that requires or relates to (x) the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), (y) worker safety or (z) the exposure to (including employee exposure to), or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous Materials, in each case as in effect at the date hereof.
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1.34 “ERISA” — the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or any successor law, and regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any successor law.
1.35 “End Date” — as defined in Section 9.1.
1.36 “Excluded Assets” — the assets of the Company set forth on Schedule B hereto.
1.37 “Excluded Liabilities” — as defined in Section 2.2(c).
1.38 “GAAP” — United States generally accepted accounting principles applied consistent with past practice.
1.39 “Governmental Authorization” — any approval, consent, license, permit, waiver, or other authorization issued, granted, given, or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Legal Requirement.
1.40 “Governmental Body” — any:
(a) nation, state, county, city, town, village, district, or other jurisdiction of any nature;
(b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or other government;
(c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal);
(d) multi-national organization or body; or
(e) body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature.
1.41 “Hazardous Materials” — any waste or other substance that is listed, defined, designated, or classified as, or otherwise determined to be, hazardous, radioactive, or toxic or a pollutant or a contaminant under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, including any admixture or solution thereof, and specifically including petroleum and all derivatives thereof or synthetic substitutes therefor and asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.
1.42 “Indemnified Person” — as defined in Section 10.2.
1.43 “Intellectual Property Assets” — as defined in Section 3.21(a).
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1.44 “IRC” — the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor law, and regulations issued by the IRS pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code or any successor law.
1.45 “IRS” — the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency, and, to the extent relevant, the United States Department of the Treasury.
1.46 “Knowledge” — an individual will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if such individual has current actual knowledge of such fact or other matter after reasonable Due Inquiry. For purposes of this section, “Due Inquiry” with respect to Seller includes reasonable investigation of the internal books and records of the Company, Seller, and McClatchy and reasonable inquiry of Company’s, Seller’s, and McClatchy’s management personnel, but specifically does not include investigation of public records or inquiry to Governmental Bodies or other third parties. Except in the case of Seller’s Knowledge (as defined below), a Person (other than an individual) will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if any individual officer(s) or employee(s) of such Person identified in this Agreement has Knowledge of such fact or other matter.
1.47 “Legal Requirement” — any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational, or other administrative order, constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common law, regulation, statute, or treaty.
1.48 “Liability” — any direct or indirect debt, obligation or liability of any kind or nature, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, determined or determinable, matured or unmatured, and whether due or to become due, asserted or unasserted, or known or unknown.
1.49 “Material Adverse Effect” — when used in reference to any facts, circumstances, events or changes, such facts, circumstances, events or changes that are, or would reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to the business, financial condition or continuing operations of the Business taken as a whole but shall not include facts, circumstances, events or changes (i) generally affecting the newspaper industry in Alaska or the United States or the economy or the financial or securities markets in Alaska or the United States or elsewhere in the world, including regulatory and political conditions or developments (including any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of war or terrorism) or (ii) resulting from (a) the announcement or the existence of, or compliance with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) changes in applicable Legal Requirements, GAAP or accounting standards.
1.50 “Material Lease” — as defined in Section 3.6.
1.51 “McClatchy” — as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
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1.52 “Order” — any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena, or verdict entered, issued, made, or rendered by any court, administrative agency, or other Governmental Body or by any arbitrator.
1.53 “Ordinary Course of Business” — an action taken by a Person will be deemed to have been taken in the “Ordinary Course of Business” only if such action is consistent with the past practices of such Person and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day operations of such Person.
1.54 “Organizational Documents” — (a) the articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of a corporation; (b) the articles of organization and operating agreement of a limited liability company, (c) the partnership agreement and any statement of partnership of a general partnership; (d) the limited partnership agreement and the certificate of limited partnership of a limited partnership; (e) any charter or similar document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or organization of a Person; and (f) any amendment to any of the foregoing.
1.55 “Owned Real Property” — the real property owned or to be owned by the Company at the Closing, the legal description of which is set forth in Schedule C attached hereto.
1.56 “Permitted Encumbrance” — as defined in Section 3.2(b)(v).
1.57 “Person” — any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, labor union, or other entity or Governmental Body.
1.58 “Pre-Closing Income Tax Return” — as defined in Section 5.14(b).
1.59 “Pre-Closing Tax Period” — as defined in Section 5.14(a).
1.60 “Proceeding” — any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
1.61 “Property Taxes” — as defined in Section 5.14(a).
1.62 “Purchase Price” — as defined in Section 2.3.
1.63 “Representative” — with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, or other representative of such Person, including legal counsel, accountants, and financial advisors.
1.64 “Section 338 Asset Allocation Schedule” — as defined in Section 5.8.
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1.65 “Securities Act” — the Securities Act of 1933 or any successor law, and regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any successor law.
1.66 “Seller” — as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
1.67 “Seller Benefit Plans” — all plans, programs, policies, agreements or other arrangements, whether or not “employee benefit plans” within the meaning of ERISA, including employment, consulting or other compensation agreement, or bonus or other incentive compensation, stock purchase, equity or equity-based compensation, change in control, sick leave, medical, mental health, dental, vision, employee assistance, short- and long-term disability, accident or life insurance benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, vacation, severance, pension or retirement savings benefits, whether written or oral, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded, or domestic or foreign, (a) sponsored, maintained, administered or contributed to by Seller or the Company or to which Seller or the Company is a party, (b) covering or benefiting any Business Employee (or any spouse, dependent or beneficiary of any such individual) or any current or former officer, employee, agent, director or independent contractor of the Company (or any spouse, dependent or beneficiary of any such individual), or (c) with respect to which Seller or the Company has (or could have) any obligation or Liability.
1.68 “Seller Entities” — Seller, McClatchy, and McClatchy’s Subsidiaries (other than the Company).
1.69 “Seller Indemnified Persons” — as defined in Section 10.3.
1.70 “Seller’s Knowledge” — shall mean the Knowledge of Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, and other executive officers of Company, Seller and McClatchy.
1.71 “Shares” — as defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
1.72 “Site Access Agreement” — shall mean that certain Access Agreement dated as of March 13, 2014, by and among Buyer, Seller, the Company, and GCI Communication Corp., an Alaska corporation.
1.73 “Straddle Period” — as defined in Section 5.14(a).
1.74 “Studies” — as defined in Section 5.1.
1.75 “Subsidiary” — with respect to any Person (the “Owner”), any corporation or other Person of which securities or other interests having the power to elect a majority of that corporation’s or other Person’s board of directors or similar governing body, or otherwise having the power to direct the business and policies of that corporation or other Person (other than securities or other interests having such power only upon the happening of a contingency that has not occurred) are held by the Owner or one or more of its Subsidiaries.
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1.76 “Survival Period” — as defined in Section 10.1.
1.77 “Tax Contest” — as defined in Section 5.14(c).
1.78 “Tax Election” — as defined in Section 5.8.
1.79 “Tax Return” — any return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule, notice, form, or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in connection with the determination, assessment, collection, or payment of any Taxes or in connection with the administration, implementation, or enforcement of or compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any Taxes.
1.80 “Taxes” — any and all domestic or foreign, federal, state, local or other taxes of any kind (together with any and all interest, penalties, additions to tax and additional amounts imposed with respect thereto) imposed by any Governmental Body, including taxes on or with respect to income, franchises, windfall or other profits, gross receipts, property, sales, use, capital stock, unclaimed property, payroll, employment, unemployment, social security, workers’ compensation or net worth, taxes in the nature of excise, withholding, ad valorem or value added, and any obligations with respect to such amounts arising as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period or under any agreements or arrangements with any other person and including any liability for taxes of a predecessor entity.
1.81 “Termination Date” — as defined in Section 5.1.
1.82 “Threatened” — a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action, or other matter will be deemed to have been “Threatened” if any demand or statement has been made (orally or in writing) or any notice has been given (orally or in writing), or if any other event has occurred or any other circumstances exist, that would lead a prudent Person to conclude that such a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action, or other matter is likely to be asserted, commenced, taken, or otherwise pursued in the future.
1.83 “Title Company” — as defined in Section 2.4.
1.84 “Title Policy” — as defined in Section 5.11.
1.85 “Transition Services Agreement” — as defined in Section 2.5(a)(v).
1.86 “Trademarks” — as defined in Section 3.21(a)(ii).
1.87 “Working Capital” — (x) the value of the current assets of the categories described on Schedule D hereto of the Company, minus (y) the value of the current liabilities and other liabilities of the categories described on Schedule E hereto of the Company or included in the Assumed Liabilities.
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ARTICLE II. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; CLOSING
2.1 Purchase and Sale of Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Seller will sell and transfer the Shares to Buyer free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws), and Buyer will purchase such Shares from Seller. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Seller or any McClatchy Subsidiaries (including the Company) shall be permitted, prior to the Closing, to cause the Company to transfer to Seller, any Seller Entity or any other party (and thereby to not directly or indirectly sell or transfer to Buyer) any Excluded Assets.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, at the Closing and effective as of the Closing Date, Buyer shall assume from the Seller Entities (and therefore agree to pay, perform and discharge), and the Seller Entities shall irrevocably convey, transfer and assign to Buyer, all of the Assumed Liabilities.
(b) For all purposes of and under this Agreement, the term “Assumed Liabilities” shall mean, refer to and include all Liabilities of any of the Seller Entities to the extent arising out of or relating to the operation of the Business as set forth below, but specifically excluding the Excluded Liabilities:
(i) Liabilities of the Seller Entities reflected in the Business Financial Statements related to the Business (excluding liabilities for workers’ compensation claims, except to the extent of Buyer’s reimbursement obligations as set forth in Section 6.2), and Liabilities incurred after the Closing Date in connection with the operation of the Business;
(ii) Liabilities for Taxes that are not expressly made the responsibility of Seller pursuant this Agreement;
(iii) Liabilities of the Seller Entities arising out of or in connection with any Proceedings to the extent related to the Business arising from events occurring after the Closing Date (excluding liabilities for workers’ compensation claims, except to the extent of Buyer’s reimbursement obligations as set forth in Section 6.2);
(iv) Liabilities of the Seller Entities for any obligation to make severance payments to any Acquired Employee who is terminated after the Closing Date;
(v) Liabilities of the Seller Entities for all accrued vacation and sick time of all Acquired Employees;
(vi) all Liabilities to be performed by Buyer pursuant to Article VI hereof; and
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(vii) Liabilities of the Seller Entities arising from discharges or releases of Hazardous Materials, violations of Environmental Laws or similar matters to the extent such Liabilities are related to the operations of the Business and the Company Real Property and arise from events or operations occurring after the Closing Date.
(i) Liabilities of the Seller Entities in respect of transaction costs payable by Seller pursuant to Section 5.11; and
(ii) Liabilities for Taxes that are expressly made the responsibility of Seller pursuant to this Agreement, and
(iii) Liabilities of Seller or McClatchy arising from pre-closing events or occurrences unless such liability is specifically assumed by Buyer as provided in this Section 2.2, Articles V, VI, IX or X of this Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Site Access Agreement, or the Confidentiality Agreement.
(a) Subject to the adjustments in Section 2.3(b), the aggregate consideration (the “Purchase Price”) for the Shares will be (i) $34,000,000 in cash and (ii) the assumption by Buyer of the Assumed Liabilities pursuant to Section 2.2.
(b) The Purchase Price shall be adjusted as follows:
(i) Seller shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain Working Capital of Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000) as of the Closing Date, which shall include cash in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000). As promptly as practicable, but in any event within sixty (60) days following the Closing, Seller shall cause to be prepared and delivered to Buyer a statement (the “Statement of Working Capital”) setting forth the Working Capital as of the Closing (the “Closing Working Capital”). The Statement of Working Capital will be prepared in accordance with GAAP, except that (A) no transfer costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby that are the responsibility of Seller will be included, (B) no Excluded Liabilities will be included, (C) no inter-company notes or accounts payable owed by an Acquired Company to a Seller Entity will be included, (D) no deferred Tax asset or deferred Tax liability will be included and (E) no Tax asset or Tax liability relating to income, franchise or similar Taxes (“Income Taxes”) will be included. Buyer will cooperate with and assist Seller, including through providing any reasonably requested documentation, in the preparation of the Statement of Working Capital. Seller will, upon Buyer’s written request, make available to Buyer and its auditors a copy of all workpapers and other books and records utilized by Seller in the preparation of the Statement of Working Capital.
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(ii) Subject to Section 2.3(b)(iii), within twenty-five (25) days following delivery of the Statement of Working Capital pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(i), (A) Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount, if any, that the Closing Working Capital reflected in the Statement of Working Capital exceeds Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000), or (B) Seller shall pay to Buyer the amount, if any, that Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000) exceeds the Closing Working Capital reflected in the Statement of Working Capital, in either case, plus interest calculated at the Prime Rate from the date of the Closing until the date of such payment. Any and all payments made pursuant to this Section 2.3(b)(ii) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the party to receive such payment. Any payment made pursuant to this Section 2.3(b)(ii) shall be deemed to be an adjustment to the Purchase Price. “Prime Rate” as such term is used herein shall mean the rate publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate per annum.
(iii) If Buyer disagrees in good faith with the Statement of Working Capital, then Buyer shall notify Seller in writing (the “Notice of Disagreement”) of such disagreement within twenty (20) days following delivery of the Statement of Working Capital. If Seller has not received a Notice of Disagreement within such twenty (20) day period, Buyer shall be deemed to have accepted the Statement of Working Capital. Any Notice of Disagreement shall set forth in reasonable detail the adjustments Buyer proposes to make to the Statement of Working Capital and the basis therefor and shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 2.3(b)(i). Thereafter, Seller and Buyer shall attempt in good faith to resolve and finally determine the amount of the Closing Working Capital. If Seller and Buyer are unable to resolve the disagreement within thirty (30) days following delivery of the Notice of Disagreement, then Seller and Buyer shall select a mutually acceptable, nationally recognized independent accounting firm that does not then have a relationship with Seller or Buyer (the “Independent Accountant”), to resolve the disagreement and make a determination with respect thereto. If Seller and Buyer are unable, within ten (10) days, to select a mutually acceptable Independent Accountant, then each of Seller and Buyer shall select a nationally recognized independent accounting firm that does not have a relationship with Seller or Buyer, and these two firms will choose a nationally recognized independent accounting firm who will serve as the Independent Accountant. The determination of the Independent Accountant to resolve the disagreement between Seller and Buyer as to the Statement of Working Capital will be made, and written notice thereof given to Seller and Buyer, within thirty (30) days after the selection of the Independent Accountant. The determination by the Independent Accountant shall be final, binding and conclusive upon Seller and Buyer. The scope of the Independent Accountant’s engagement (which will not be an audit) shall be limited to the resolution of the disputed items described in the Notice of Disagreement, and the recalculation, if any, of the Statement of Working Capital in light of such resolution. If an Independent Accountant is engaged pursuant to this Section 2.3(b)(iii), the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be borne equally by Seller and Buyer. Within ten (10) days after delivery of a notice of determination by the Independent Accountant as described above, any payment required by Section 2.3(b)(ii) shall be made, based on such determination.
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2.5 Closing Obligations. At the Closing:
(a) Seller will deliver to Buyer:
(i) certificates representing the Shares, duly endorsed (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers), for transfer to Buyer;
(ii) a duly executed Instrument of Assignment and Assumption from Seller on behalf of itself and the Seller Entities substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”);
(iii) a certificate executed by Seller and McClatchy representing and warranting to Buyer that each of Seller’s and McClatchy’s representations and warranties in this Agreement was accurate in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and is accurate in all material respects as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date (giving full effect to any supplements to the Disclosure Schedule that were delivered by Seller to Buyer prior to the Closing Date);
(iv) UCC termination statements releasing any liens against the Company, including, but not limited to the financing statements filed by The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company or Bank of America, N.A;
(v) a duly executed Transition Services Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Transition Services Agreement”);
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(vi) resignations of the officers and directors of the Company; and
(vii) if required by the Title Company in connection with the issuance of a Title Policy, a mechanic’s lien affidavit stating that the charges for all labor and material used or furnished by or on behalf of Seller or the Company before the Closing in connection with the Owned Real Property have been paid in full.
(b) Buyer will deliver to Seller:
(i) the Purchase Price by bank cashier’s or certified check payable to the order of, or by wire transfer to accounts specified by Seller;
(ii) a certificate executed by Buyer to the effect that, except as otherwise stated in such certificate, each of Buyer’s representations and warranties in this Agreement was accurate in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and is accurate in all respects as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date;
(iii) a duly executed copy of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement;
(iv) a duly executed copy of the Transition Services Agreement;
(v) a duly executed counterpart of Internal Revenue Service Form 8023, in form and substance as may be necessary in order to effect the Tax Election, if such form has not already been executed and delivered pursuant to Section 5.8; and
(vi) duly executed copies of all other instruments and certificates of assumption as Seller may reasonably request in order to effectively make Buyer responsible for all Assumed Liabilities to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Legal Requirements.
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule (it being agreed that any information set forth in one part of such Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to each other part thereof to which its relevance is reasonably apparent), Seller and McClatchy represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:
3.1 Organization and Good Standing.
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Alaska, with full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use. The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which either the ownership or use of the properties owned or used by it, or the nature of the activities conducted by it, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so incorporated, validly existing, qualified or in good standing, or to have such power and authority, would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of the Organizational Documents of the Company as currently in effect.
(c) The Company does not currently have, nor has it ever had, any Subsidiaries.
(a) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws from time to time in effect which affect the rights of creditors generally or by limitations upon the availability of equitable remedies. Seller has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority, and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Seller’s Closing Documents and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Seller’s Closing Documents.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):
(i) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of (A) any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Company, or (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the stockholders of the Company;
(ii) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which the Company or Seller, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, may be subject, other than any such contravention, conflict, violation, or right that would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate, or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company or that otherwise relates to the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, the Company, other than any such contravention, conflict, violation, or right that would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
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(iv) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify, any loan, guarantee of indebtedness or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement, contract, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, right or license binding upon the Company, other than any such contravention, conflict, violation or right that would not have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(v) to Seller’s Knowledge, result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the assets owned or used by the Company in the Business, other than any such Encumbrance (A) for Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment not yet due, being contested in good faith or for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established, (B) which is a statutory carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar lien arising in the Ordinary Course of Business, and not delinquent, (C) which is disclosed on the Business Financial Statements or securing liabilities reflected on such Business Financial Statements or (D) which was incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with past practice and not in violation of this Agreement since the date of the most recent Business Financial Statements and is immaterial in amount, and is not delinquent (each of the foregoing, a “Permitted Encumbrance”), upon any of the properties or assets of the Company.
No authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any Governmental Body is necessary, under applicable Legal Requirements, for the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for such authorizations, consents, approvals or filings that, if not obtained or made, would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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3.14 Compliance with Legal Requirements; Governmental Authorizations.
(a) Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or as set forth in Part 3.14 of the Disclosure Schedule:
(i) the Company is in compliance with and is not in default in any material respect under or in violation in any material respect of any Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of the Business or the ownership or use of any of its assets;
(ii) the Company has not received any written notice in the past five (5) years from any Governmental Body regarding (A) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement, or (B) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential obligation on the part of the Company to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature, which violation or obligation has not been remediated.
(b) The Company is in possession of all Governmental Authorizations necessary for the Company to own and use its assets or to carry on the Business as it is now being conducted, except where failure to obtain or maintain any such Governmental Authorization would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth in Part 3.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, each such Governmental Authorization is valid and in full force and effect, and the Company has complied in all material respects with all of the terms and requirements of each such Governmental Authorization. The Company has not received any written notice from any Governmental Body regarding (i) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of or failure to comply with any term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization, or (ii) any actual, proposed, possible, or potential revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination of, or modification to any Governmental Authorization.
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3.15 Legal Proceedings; Orders.
(a) Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth in Part 3.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement, there is no pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, Threatened Proceeding:
(i) that has been commenced by or against the Company or that otherwise relates to or may affect the Business or any of the assets owned or used by the Company; or
(ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 3.15 of the Disclosure Schedule:
(i) there is no Order to which any of the Company, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is subject;
(ii) Seller is not subject to any Order that relates to the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, the Company; and
(iii) to Seller’s Knowledge, no officer, director, agent, or employee of the Company is subject to any Order that prohibits such officer, director, agent, or employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity, or practice relating to the business of the Company.
(c) Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth in Part 3.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Orders affecting the Company or the Business.
3.16 Absence of Certain Changes and Events. Except as set forth in Part 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most recent Business Financial Statements, the Company has conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business and there has not been any:
(a) change in the Company’s authorized or issued capital stock; grant of any stock option or right to purchase shares of capital stock of the Company; issuance of any security convertible into such capital stock; grant of any registration rights; purchase, redemption, retirement, or other acquisition by the Company of any shares of any such capital stock; or declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution or payment in respect of shares of capital stock;
(b) amendment to the Organizational Documents of the Company;
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(c) entry by the Company into any employment, deferred compensation, severance or similar agreement (or amendment to any such agreement) with any Business Employee, or any agreement with any Business Employee to increase the compensation payable by it to any such Business Employee or to increase the coverage or benefits available under any severance pay, termination pay, vacation pay, salary continuation for disability, sick leave, deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan made to, for or with such Business Employees other than, in each case, in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(d) damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or property of the Company, whether or not covered by insurance, materially and adversely affecting the properties, assets, business, financial condition, or prospects of the Company, taken as a whole and having a replacement cost of more than $500,000;
(e) sale, other than sales in the Ordinary Course of Business), lease, or other disposition of any material asset or property of the Company or mortgage, pledge, or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance on any material asset or property of the Company, including the sale, lease, or other disposition of any of the material Intellectual Property Assets;
(f) cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights with a value to the Company in excess of $50,000;
(g) material change in the accounting methods used by the Company; or
(h) agreement, whether oral or written, by the Company to do any of the foregoing.
(a) Part 3.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of (the following being hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Business Material Contracts”):
(i) each Contract to which the Company is a party that involves performance of services or delivery of products by the Company of an amount or value in excess of $50,000;
(ii) each Contract to which the Company is a party that was not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and that involves expenditures or receipts of the Company in excess of $50,000;
(iii) each lease, rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment and conditional sale agreement, and other Contract to which the Company is a party affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other interest in, any real or personal property (except personal property leases and installment and conditional sales agreements having a value per item or aggregate payments of less than $100,000 and with terms of less than one year);
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(iv) each joint venture, partnership, and other Contract to which the Company is a party (however named) involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs, or liabilities by the Company with any other Person;
(v) each Contract containing covenants that in any way purport to restrict the business activity of the Company or limit the freedom of the Company to engage in any line of business or to compete with any Person, which restrictions or limitations will survive the Closing;
(vi) each written warranty, guaranty, and or other similar undertaking with respect to contractual performance extended by the Company other than in the Ordinary Course of Business and which will survive the Closing; and
(vii) each amendment, supplement, and modification (whether oral or written) in respect of any of the foregoing.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 3.17(b) of the Disclosure Schedule or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, each Business Material Contract is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) equitable remedies of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
(c) Except as set forth in Part 3.17(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor, to Seller’s Knowledge, any other party to any Business Material Contract, is in breach of or default under the terms of any Business Material Contract, except for breaches or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
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3.20 Labor Relations; Compliance
(a) Each of the Acquired Employees is employed by the Company. Part 3.20 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth respecting each Acquired Employee (including any Acquired Employee who is on an approved leave of absence): (i) the name and title of the Acquired Employee; (ii) the aggregate dollar amounts of the compensation (including wages, salary, commissions, fringe benefits, bonuses, matching or profit-sharing contributions and other payments or benefits of any type) received by the Acquired Employee from the Company for the one-year period ending February 28, 2014; and (iii) the aggregate dollar amount of vacation, sick and other paid time off that each Acquired Employee has accrued as of February 28, 2014. Neither the Company, Seller nor McClatchy is a party to or bound by, and has never been a party to or bound by, any written employment contract or any union contract, collective bargaining agreement or similar contract respecting any Acquired Employee. The employment of each of the Acquired Employees is terminable at will and no Acquired Employee is entitled to severance pay or other benefits following termination for cause or resignation, except as otherwise provided by applicable Legal Requirements, and provided that the parties acknowledge that the Company’s current practice is to offer severance benefits to Business Employees under certain circumstances, including to those whose positions are eliminated and who are offered a non-comparable position (as defined by a reduction in pay or hours of more than 20%).
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(b) There is no Proceeding pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, Threatened against or affecting the Company relating to the alleged violation of any Legal Requirement pertaining to labor relations or employment matters, including any charge or complaint filed by an employee or union with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any comparable Governmental Body, organizational activity, or other labor or employment dispute against or affecting the Company or its premises. To Seller’s Knowledge, there has been no application for certification of a collective bargaining agent. Except for such matters which would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company has complied in all material respects with all Legal Requirements relating to employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective bargaining, the payment of social security and similar taxes, occupational safety and health, and plant closing. No Acquired Employee is a party to, or is otherwise bound by, any agreement or arrangement with Company, Seller or McClatchy, including any confidentiality, noncompetition or proprietary rights agreement, that in any material way adversely affects or will affect the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company or the ability of the Company to conduct its business.
(a) Intellectual Property Assets. The term “Intellectual Property Assets” comprises the following:
(i) the domain names identified on Part 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule (the “Domain Names”);
(ii) the trademarks identified on Part 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule (the “Trademarks”);
(iii) all patents, patent applications, and inventions and discoveries that may be patentable, to the extent owned by the Company for use in the Business as conducted as of the date hereof;
(iv) all copyrights in both published works and unpublished works, to the extent owned by the Company for use in the Business as conducted as of the date hereof;
(v) all rights in mask works, to the extent owned by the Company for use in the Business as conducted as of the date hereof;
(vi) all know-how, trade secrets, confidential information, customer lists, software, technical information, data, process technology, plans, drawings, and blue prints to the extent owned or licensed by the Company, as licensee or licensor, for use in the Business as conducted as of the date hereof, and
(vii) all copyrights in published works and unpublished works, including archives to the extent owned by the Company, , digitized photo archives of the Company owned by McClatchy or the Company, any portion of the archives of Xxxxxx.xxx (if any) that pertains to Alaska and was provided by the Company, and archives of the Anchorage Times obtained by the Seller or the Company.
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(b) Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) as of the date hereof, there are no pending claims by any person alleging infringement, unauthorized use, misappropriation or violation by the Company or challenging the ownership, use, validity or enforceability of any Intellectual Property Assets; (ii) to Seller’s Knowledge, the conduct of the Business as conducted as of the date hereof does not infringe, constitute an unauthorized use or misappropriation of, or violate any intellectual property rights of any Person; (iii) as of the date hereof, the Company has not made any claim of a violation, infringement, misuse or misappropriation by any person of its rights to or in connection with any Intellectual Property Assets, and (iv) to Seller’s Knowledge, the Intellectual Property Assets, and all the Company’s rights in and to the Intellectual Property Assets, are valid and enforceable.
(a) No representation or warranty of Sellers in this Agreement and no statement in the Disclosure Schedule omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements herein or therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
(b) No notice given pursuant to Section 5.5 will contain any untrue statement or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein or in this Agreement, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:
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(a) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms. Buyer has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to be executed and delivered by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the members and/or managers of Buyer, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer are necessary to authorize the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions by Buyer will give any Person the right to prevent, delay, or otherwise interfere with any of the Contemplated Transactions pursuant to:
(i) any provision of Buyer’s Organizational Documents;
(ii) any resolution adopted by the members or managers of Buyer;
(iii) any Legal Requirement or Order to which Buyer may be subject; or
(iv) any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may be bound.
Buyer is not and will not be required to obtain any Consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.
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5.3 Operation of the Businesses of the Company. Between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Closing Date and the Termination Date, and except (i) as may be required by applicable Legal Requirements, (ii) as may be agreed in writing by Buyer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (iii) as may be contemplated or required by this Agreement or (iv) as set forth in Part 5.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller will, and will cause the Company to:
(a) conduct the business of the Company only in the Ordinary Course of Business; provided that this covenant shall not operate to prohibit distributions in any amount to Seller;
(b) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the current business organization of the Company, keep available the services of the current officers, employees, and agents of the Company, and maintain the relations and good will with suppliers, customers, landlords, creditors, employees, agents, and others having business relationships with the Company; and
(c) confer with Buyer concerning operational matters of a material nature.
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5.6 Notification. Prior to the Closing, Seller will promptly deliver notice to Buyer in writing of any specific event or circumstance of which it has Seller’s Knowledge, or of which it receives notice, that (a) Seller believes has had a Material Adverse Effect or (b) would result in the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 not being satisfied; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to Buyer. Prior to the Closing, Buyer will promptly deliver notice to Seller in writing of any specific event or circumstance of which it has Knowledge, or of which it receives notice, that (i) Buyer believes would materially impair or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) would result in the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1 or 8.2 not being satisfied; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to Seller.
5.8 Tax Election. Seller and Buyer agree that each party shall make an election under Section 338(h)(10) of the IRC, with respect to the Contemplated Transactions (“Tax Election”). Seller and Buyer represent and warrant that they are qualified to make such election. Buyer and Seller further agree to timely (but in any event not later than the Closing Date) (i) allocate the Purchase Price among the assets of the Corporation that are deemed to have been acquired pursuant to Section 338(h)(10) of the IRC (the “Section 338 Asset Allocation Schedule”), and (ii) exchange, complete, and properly execute copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 8023, and the required schedules related thereto, all of which shall be prepared on a basis consistent with the Section 338 Asset Allocation Schedule. The Section 338 Asset Allocation Schedule shall be based upon the allocations set forth on Exhibit D hereto. Seller, Buyer, and Company will timely prepare and file all further documents and materials necessary in connection with making a Section 338(h)(10) Election, and Seller and Buyer will cooperate in connection therewith. Seller and Buyer agree to prepare and file all tax returns and reports in a manner consistent with the Tax Election and the valuation of the assets as set forth in the Section 338 Asset Allocation Schedule.
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5.13 Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.
(a) For a period of three (3) years after the Closing Date, neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller shall, anywhere in the State of Alaska, without the express prior written consent of Buyer, directly or indirectly engage in any business or activity comprising the operation of a daily or weekly newspaper and Alaska news web properties related to such newspaper, if such business activity competes directly or indirectly with the Business. In addition, for a period of three (3) years, after the Closing Date, neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller will operate a website on which the majority of advertisers featured on such website, other than advertisers in the categories of travel, tourism and entertainment, are principally located in the State of Alaska.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller and/or its Affiliates may offer one or more websites that (i) contain travel, tourism and entertainment content about Alaska, (ii) is not primarily a “news” site about Alaska, (iii) on which the majority of advertisers featured on such website (other than advertisers in the categories of travel, tourism, and entertainment) are primarily located outside the State of Alaska, (iv) on which there are no Alaska job listings, (v) on which there are no Alaska real estate listings, except for advertisements for hotels, motels, inns, and similar establishments with eight (8) or more guest rooms, provided that no such website may contain advertisements or listings for bed and breakfasts, inns or similar establishments with less than eight (8) guest rooms, rooms in single-family homes, or single-family vacation home rentals (an “Approved Website”).
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(c) Buyer acknowledges and agrees that Seller and its Affiliates participate in a variety of third-party advertising networks, pursuant to which inventory on websites of Seller and its Affiliates is sold to advertisers by third parties. Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 5.13 to the contrary, in the event that any advertisement sold by any such third party which conflicts with the provisions of Section 5.13(a) or (b) appears on an Approved Website or other website of Seller or an Affiliate of Seller, neither Seller nor McClatchy shall be deemed to have violated such provisions so long as Seller, upon receipt of written notice from Buyer of such advertisements, uses good faith and reasonable efforts to work with such third parties promptly to remove such advertisements.
(d) Seller or its Affiliate is retaining ownership of the URL, “Xxxxxx.xxx.” All content of Xxxxxx.xxx owned by the Company will be made available to Buyer at Closing, and such content on Xxxxxx.xxx will be deleted. McClatchy and Buyer shall negotiate in good faith for a period of not more than sixty (60) days after Closing (the “Xxxxxx.xxx Negotiation Period”) for a possible purchase of the Xxxxxx.xxx URL by Buyer, provided that if the parties terminate such negotiations prior to the expiration of such 60-day period, then the Xxxxxx.xxx Negotiation Period shall be deemed to have expired as of the date of such termination. During the Xxxxxx.xxx Negotiation Period, neither McClatchy nor its Affiliates will market Xxxxxx.xxx for sale or engage in any discussions regarding the sale of Xxxxxx.xxx with any party except Buyer. During the Xxxxxx.xxx Negotiation Period, neither McClatchy nor its Affiliates will operate “Xxxxxx.xxx” as a travel or tourism site, and Buyer will not establish or operate a website or mobile app similar to Xxxxxx.xxx that is an Alaska-related travel and tourism site. However, Buyer shall not be restricted from including any travel or tourism news or advertising in the Company’s own publications. For three (3) years after Closing, McClatchy and its Affiliates will operate “Xxxxxx.xxx,” if at all, in compliance with the requirements for an Approved Website.
(e) For a period of two (2) years after the Closing Date, without the express prior written consent of Buyer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller shall knowingly solicit customers, clients, suppliers, agents or other Persons under contract or otherwise associated or doing business with the Company, to reduce or alter any such association or business with the Company in violation of any such contract.
(f) For a period of one (1) year after the Closing Date, without the express prior written consent of Buyer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller shall knowingly solicit any person in the employment of the Company or Buyer to (i) terminate such employment, and/or (ii) accept employment, or enter into any consulting arrangement, with Seller or any Affiliate of Seller. For avoidance of doubt, the term “solicit” as used in this paragraph does not include receiving unsolicited applications for employment, responses to public advertisements, or candidates submitted by recruiting firms, all without any direct contact between Seller or any Affiliate of Seller and the personnel of Company or Buyer.
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(g) Seller acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section 5.13 are necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of the Company acquired by Buyer hereunder and further acknowledges and agrees that the duration and geographic scope of the non-competition provisions set forth in this Section 5.13 are reasonable. In the event that any court determines that the duration or the geographic scope, or both, are unreasonable and that such provision is to that extent unenforceable, the parties agree that the provision shall remain in full force and effect for the greatest time period and in the greatest area that would not render it unenforceable.
(h) The covenants contained in this Section 5.13 relate to matters which are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of the terms of this Section 5.13(h) will cause irreparable injury to Buyer and the Company, the amount of which will be impossible to estimate or determine and which cannot be adequately compensated. Therefore, Buyer and the Company will be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in the event of any breach of this Section 5.13, and Seller hereby consents to the granting by any court of an injunction or other equitable relief, without the necessity of actual monetary loss being proved, in order that the breach or threatened breach of such provisions may be effectively restrained. The rights and remedies provided by this Section 5.13 are cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies which Buyer or the Company may have hereunder or at law or in equity.
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ARTICLE VI. EMPLOYMENT MATTERS
6.1 Employee and Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) Effective as of the Closing Date, the Acquired Employees will cease to participate in all Seller Benefit Plans, except to the extent required by applicable law or the terms and conditions of the applicable Seller Benefit Plan. Buyer shall not assume any Seller Benefit Plan.
(b) For a period of at least twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, Buyer will cause each Acquired Employee to be provided with compensation and employee benefits that are substantially similar, in the aggregate, to those employee benefits provided by Seller, McClatchy or the Company to similarly situated Business Employees prior to Closing Date. Buyer will cause each Acquired Employee’s service with the Company prior to the Closing Date to be counted for purposes of eligibility to participate in and vesting under (but not for purposes of benefit accrual under) any employee benefit plans, programs and policies of Buyer extended to Acquired Employees after the Closing (the “Buyer Plans”). In addition, with respect to each Buyer Plan that is a group health plan, Buyer will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its relevant insurance carriers to waive any and all preexisting condition limitations and exclusions and any and all eligibility waiting periods with respect to each of the Acquired Employees and their spouses and dependents. In the event that Buyer, after the exercise of good faith efforts, is unable establish medical, dental or vision insurance or to cause its relevant insurance carriers to waive eligibility waiting periods for such benefits so as to afford a transition of benefits coverage from Seller to Buyer, Buyer will reimburse McClatchy within fifteen (15) days after receipt of any invoice from McClatchy for any COBRA premiums for such continuation coverage under the applicable McClatchy medical, dental or vision plans, plus a two percent (2%) administration fee for each Acquired Employee who has affirmatively elected COBRA continuation coverage, until the later of: (i) the date medical, dental and visions plans are established, or (ii) the expiration of such waiting period(s). In the event that Buyer does not establish medical, dental and vision plans and/or any applicable eligibility waiting period is not expired within ninety (90) days after the Closing, then Buyer shall thereafter reimburse McClatchy within fifteen (15) days after receipt of any invoice from McClatchy for any COBRA premiums for such continuation coverage under the applicable McClatchy medical, dental or vision plans, plus a fifty percent (50%) administration fee for each Acquired Employee who has affirmatively elected COBRA continuation coverage, until the date Buyer establishes, and eligible Aquired Employees are eligible to participate in, the Buyer’s medical, dental and visions plans. Buyer will not charge any such administration fee to Acquired Employees. Acquired Employees may be required to pay premiums for such continuation coverage to Buyer, provided that Buyer shall be responsible for collecting such employee premiums, and provided further that failure to collect such premiums from Acquired Employees shall not relieve Buyer of its obligation to pay McClatchy the full COBRA premium plus applicable administrative fees pursuant to this Section 6.1(b).
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(c) Subject to satisfying the definition of “substantially similar” in this Section 6.1(c), nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed (i) to limit or otherwise affect the right of Buyer to modify or terminate any Buyer Plan after twelve (12) months following the Closing Date without establishing a replacement plan, in each case as Buyer may determine in its sole discretion, (ii) to require Buyer to provide employee benefits to Acquired Employees after their employment with Buyer has terminated other than as may be required under COBRA, or (iii) to incur additional costs to obtain waivers or recognition from any insurance carrier. Acquired Employees shall not be considered to be third-party beneficiaries (or to have any third party beneficiary or similar rights) with respect to this Section 6.1. For purposes of this Section 6.1, “substantially similar” compensation and benefits for any Acquired Employee means (i) base pay and bonus potential of not less than eighty percent (80%) of such Acquired Employee’s base pay and bonus potential immediately prior to the Closing Date; (ii) similar medical benefits; (iii) personal leave, that includes sick leave and vacation accrual, and severance comparable to those provided by Company and/or Seller immediately prior to the Closing; and (iv) a 401(k) plan; but specifically excludes retiree medical coverage, employee assistance plan, basic and supplemental life insurance, defined benefit retirement plan, supplemental executive retirement plan, benefit restoration plan (excess compensation for 401(k) plan), and restricted stock plan.
6.2 Reimbursement for Workers’ Compensation Claims. Workers’ compensation benefits for the Company’s employees are currently maintained by Seller or McClatchy. Liabilities and claims for workers’ compensation benefits arising out of occurrences affecting Business Employees before the Closing Date will be the responsibility of Seller and McClatchy (the “Retained Worker’s Compensation Claims”). Liabilities and claims for workers’ compensation benefits arising out of occurrences affecting Acquired Employees on or after the Closing Date will be the responsibility of Buyer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall reimburse Seller an amount not to exceed a total of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) for (i) workers’ compensation benefits claims (i.e., medical payments and wage replacement costs) paid to Business Employees or their medical provider(s) as part of the Retained Worker’s Compensation Claims on or after Closing, subject to Seller’s proper performance of its legal obligations in processing the Retained Worker’s Compensation Claims (through a third party administrator or otherwise); and (ii) the Seller’s reasonable third party administrative cost of processing, administering and closing the Retained Worker’s Compensation Claims, Buyer shall make such reimbursements within thirty (30) days of receipt of Seller’s invoices therefor, which shall include appropriate reasonable documentation of the payments and costs. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate in the defense, handling, and prompt closing of the Covered Claims to the full extent legally permissible.
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ARTICLE
VII. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S
OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
Buyer’s obligation to purchase the Shares, assume the Assumed Liabilities and to take the other actions required to be taken by Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Buyer, in whole or in part):
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7.5 No Claim Regarding Stock Ownership or Sale Proceeds. There must not have been made or Threatened by any Person any claim asserting that such Person (a) is the holder or the beneficial owner of, or has the right to acquire or to obtain beneficial ownership of, any stock of, or any other voting, equity, or ownership interest in, any of the Company, or (b) is entitled to all or any portion of the Purchase Price payable in Shares.
ARTICLE
VIII. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S
OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
Seller’s obligation to sell the Shares and to take the other actions required to be taken by Seller at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Sellers, in whole or in part):
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(a) All of the covenants and obligations that Buyer is required to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing (considered collectively), and each of these covenants and obligations (considered individually), must have been performed and complied with in all material respects.
(b) Buyer must have delivered each of the documents required to be delivered by Buyer and must have made the cash payments required to be made by Buyer pursuant to Section 2.5(b).
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(a) by Seller, if Buyer shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Article VIII that cannot be cured by the End Date, provided Seller shall have given Buyer written notice, delivered at least thirty (30) days prior to such termination, notifying Buyer of such breach or failure to perform;
(b) by Buyer, if Seller shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of their representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Article VII that cannot be cured by the End Date, provided Buyer shall have given Seller written notice, delivered at least thirty (30) days prior to such termination, notifying Seller of such breach or failure to perform;
(c) (i) by Buyer if any of the conditions in Article VII has not been satisfied as of the Closing Date or if satisfaction of such a condition is or becomes impossible (other than through the failure of Buyer to comply with its obligations under this Agreement) and Buyer has not waived such condition on or before the Closing Date; or (ii) by Seller, if any of the conditions in Article VIII has not been satisfied as of the Closing Date or if satisfaction of such a condition is or becomes impossible (other than through the failure of Seller to comply with its obligations under this Agreement) and Seller has not waived such condition on or before the Closing Date;
(d) by any of Seller or Buyer if any Governmental Body shall have issued an Order permanently enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of transaction contemplated under this Agreement and such Order shall have become final and nonappealable (but only if the party seeking to terminate pursuant to this clause (d) shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to oppose and remove such Order);
(e) by mutual consent of Buyer and Seller; or
(f) by either Buyer or Seller if the Closing has not occurred (other than through the failure of any party seeking to terminate this Agreement to comply fully with its obligations under this Agreement) on or before May 2, 2014, or such later date as the parties may agree upon in writing (the “End Date”).
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INITIALS OF SELLER | INITIALS OF BUYER |
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ARTICLE X. INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES
The parties acknowledge that the time periods set forth in this Article X and elsewhere in this Agreement for the assertion of claims and notices under this Agreement are the result of arms’ length negotiation between the parties and that they intend for the time periods to be enforced as agreed by the parties. The parties further acknowledge that the time periods set forth in this Article X and elsewhere in the Agreement may be shorter than otherwise provided by applicable Legal Requirements and that the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement shall in no event be affected by any investigation, inquiry or examination made for or on behalf of any party or the acceptance by any party of any certificate hereunder
The waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any representation or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any covenant or obligation, will not affect the right to indemnification, payment of Damages, or other remedy based on such representations, warranties, covenants, and obligations.
(a) Any and all of the Excluded Liabilities;
(b) the Breach of any of the representations and warranties of McClatchy and Seller contained in this Agreement or the Seller’s closing certificates, and
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(c) the Breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of Seller under this Agreement.
(a) any and all of the Assumed Liabilities,
(b) the Breach of any of the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement or the Buyer’s closing certificates, and
(c) the Breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of Buyer under this Agreement.
10.4 Time Limitations. If the Closing occurs, Seller will have no liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to any representation or warranty, or covenant or obligation to be performed and complied with prior to the Closing Date, unless on or before the day which is one (1) year after the Closing Date Buyer notifies Seller of a claim specifying the factual basis of that claim in reasonable detail. If the Closing occurs, Buyer will have no liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to any representation or warranty or covenant or obligation to be performed and complied with prior to the Closing Date, unless on or before the day which is one (1) year after the Closing Date Seller notifies Buyer of a claim specifying the factual basis of that claim in reasonable detail.
10.5 Procedure for Indemnification.
(a) Promptly after receipt by an party entitled to indemnification under this Article X (the “Indemnified Party”) of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding against it, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim is to be made against a party required to provide such indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) , give notice to the Indemnifying Party of the commencement of such Proceeding, but the failure to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Party, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party demonstrates that the defense of such Proceeding is prejudiced by the Indemnifying Party’s failure to give such notice.
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(b) If any Proceeding referred to in Section 10.5(a) is brought against an Indemnified Party and it gives notice to the Indemnifying Party of the commencement of such Proceeding, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it wishes (unless (i) the Indemnifying Party is also a party to such Proceeding and the Indemnified Party determines in good faith that joint representation would be inappropriate, or (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails to provide reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Party of its financial capacity to defend such Proceeding and provide indemnification with respect to such Proceeding), to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and, after notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the Indemnifying Party will not, as long as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the Indemnified Party under this Article X for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense of such Proceeding, other than reasonable costs of investigation. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Proceeding, (i) it will be conclusively established for purposes of this Agreement that the claims made in that Proceeding are within the scope of and subject to indemnification; (ii) no compromise or settlement of such claims may be effected by the Indemnifying Party without the Indemnified Party’s consent unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Legal Requirements or any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other claims that may be made against the Indemnified Party, and (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party; and (iii) the Indemnified Party will have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such claims effected without its consent. If notice is given to an Indemnifying Party of the commencement of any Proceeding and the Indemnifying Party does not, within thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party’s notice is given, give notice to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the Indemnifying Party will be bound by any determination made in such Proceeding or any compromise or settlement effected by the Indemnified Party.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Indemnified Party determines in good faith that there is a reasonable probability that a Proceeding may adversely affect it or its affiliates other than as a result of monetary damages for which it would be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, by notice to the Indemnifying Party, assume the exclusive right to defend, compromise, or settle such Proceeding, but the Indemnifying Party will not be bound by any determination of a Proceeding so defended or any compromise or settlement effected without its consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld if the sole relief provided thereby is monetary damages).
(d) A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a third party claim may be asserted by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought.
10.6 Limitations on Indemnification.
(a) An Indemnifying Party shall not have any liability under Section 10.2(b), Section 10.2(c), Section 10.3(b) or Section 10.3(c) unless the aggregate amount of Losses incurred by the Indemnified Party and indemnifiable thereunder arising out of, resulting from, related to or associated with the breach of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements exceeds $100,000 (the “Basket”) and, in any event (except with regard to Buyer’s obligations to pay the Purchase Price), only the aggregate amount of such Damages in excess of the Basket shall be indemnifiable hereunder.
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(b) Neither Seller nor Buyer shall be required to indemnify any person under Section 10.2(b), Section 10.2(c), Section 10.3(b) or Section 10.3(c) for an aggregate amount of Damages exceeding $5,000,000 (the “Cap”) in connection with Damages related to the breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of Seller or Buyer, respectively.
(c) An Indemnifying Party shall not have any liability under Section 10.2(b), Section 10.2(c), Section 10.3(b), or Section 10.3(c) (except with regard to Buyer’s obligations to pay the Purchase Price) for any Damages unless an Indemnified Party shall have delivered to the Indemnifying Party a claim in accordance with the provisions of this Article X and identifying such Damages (and stating in reasonable detail the basis of the claim for indemnification and the Section or Sections of this Agreement providing for such indemnification with regard to such Damages) prior to the termination of the Survival Period.
(d) For purposes of indemnification, qualifications in the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be given no effect in determining the amount of any Loss incurred as a result of breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Buyer Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification under Section 10.2, such Buyer Indemnified Person shall be entitled to such indemnification in accordance with this Article X notwithstanding its obligations under Section 10.3(a) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Ancillary Agreement; provided, however, in no event shall any Buyer Indemnified Person be entitled to any duplicative recovery for such items.
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ARTICLE XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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11.3 Notices. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing and may be given (a) by hand delivery, (b) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (c) by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), or sent via facsimile (with confirmation of receipt), in each case to the appropriate addresses set forth below (or to such other addresses as a party may designate by notice to the other parties), with delivery charges prepaid. Notices shall be effective upon the earlier of (i) actual delivery or, (ii) in the case of a notice sent by mail, three business days after being deposited in the U.S. mail properly addressed with postage prepaid. Notices shall be addressed as follows:
Seller and McClatchy: | McClatchy Newspapers, Inc., and |
The McClatchy Company | |
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx, Esq. | |
0000 X Xxxxxx | |
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | |
Fax: 000-000-0000 | |
Buyer: | Alaska Dispatch Publishing, LLC |
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx | |
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
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11.12 Time of Essence. With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence.
11.13 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware regardless of any laws that might otherwise govern the applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
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SELLER: | McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS, INC. | |
By: | /s/ R. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Its: | VP, Asst. Secretary and Treasurer | |
XXXXXXXX: | THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY | |
By: | /s/ R. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Its: | VP and Chief Financial Officer | |
BUYER: | ALASKA DISPATCH PUBLISHING, LLC | |
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Its: | Managing Member |
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