JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT AMONG PULITZER INC., PULITZER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., THE HERALD COMPANY, INC. AND ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH LLC DATED AS OF May 1, 2000
EXHIBIT 10.4
AMONG
PULITZER INC.,
PULITZER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
THE HERALD COMPANY, INC.
AND
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH LLC
DATED AS OF May 1, 2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
Article I Organization of the Company | 2 | |||
1.1 |
Formation Of The Company | 2 | ||
Article II Contribution and Assumption | 2 | |||
2.1 |
Contribution of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities | 2 | ||
2.2 |
Closing of Transaction | 3 | ||
2.3 |
Retained Pulitzer Assets and Liabilities | 6 | ||
2.4 |
Retained Herald Assets And Liabilities | 6 | ||
2.5 |
Retained PTI Assets and Liabilities | 7 | ||
2.6 |
Agency Adjustment | 7 | ||
2.7 |
Transfer Taxes and Recording Fees | 7 | ||
2.8 |
Consents | 7 | ||
2.9 |
Closing Certificates | 8 | ||
2.8 |
Consents | 8 | ||
Article III Representations and Warranties of Herald Parties | 8 | |||
3.1 |
Organization And Qualification | 8 | ||
3.2 |
Corporate Authorization | 9 | ||
3.3 |
Consents And Approvals | 9 | ||
3.4 |
Non-Contravention | 9 | ||
3.5 |
Binding Effect | 9 | ||
3.6 |
Entire Business; Title To Property | 10 | ||
3.7 |
Finder’s Fees | 10 | ||
3.8 |
Indebtedness For Borrowed Money | 10 | ||
3.9 |
No Other Representations Or Warranties | 10 | ||
Article IV Representations And Warranties Of The PI Parties | 10 | |||
4.1 |
Organization and Qualification | 10 | ||
4.2 |
Corporate Authorization | 11 | ||
4.3 |
Consents And Approvals | 11 |
Page | ||||
4.4 |
Non-Contravention | 11 | ||
4.5 |
Binding Effect | 11 | ||
4.6 |
Entire Business; Title To Property | 12 | ||
4.7 |
Finder’s Fees | 12 | ||
4.8 |
Indebtedness For Borrowed Money | 12 | ||
4.9 |
Organization Of Company | 12 | ||
4.10 |
Authorization Of Company | 12 | ||
4.11 |
No Other Representations Or Warranties | 13 | ||
Article V Covenants | 13 | |||
5.1 |
Further Assurances | 13 | ||
5.2 |
Records And Retention And Access | 13 | ||
5.3 |
W-2 Matters | 13 | ||
Article VI Survival; Indemnification | 13 | |||
6.1 |
Survival | 13 | ||
6.2 |
Indemnification By PI | 14 | ||
6.3 |
Indemnification Procedures | 14 | ||
6.4 |
Characterization Of Indemnification Payments | 15 | ||
Article VII Miscellaneous | 15 | |||
7.1 |
Notices | 15 | ||
7.2 |
Amendment; Waiver | 16 | ||
7.3 |
Assignment | 16 | ||
7.4 |
Entire Agreement | 17 | ||
7.5 |
Fulfillment Of Obligations | 17 | ||
7.6 |
Parties In Interest | 17 | ||
7.7 |
Expenses | 17 | ||
7.8 |
Schedules | 17 | ||
7.9 |
Bulk Transfer Laws | 17 | ||
7.10 |
Governing Law; Submission To Jurisdiction; Selection Of Forum | 17 | ||
7.11 |
Counterparts | 18 | ||
7.12 |
Headings | 18 |
Page | ||||
7.13 |
Severability | 18 | ||
7.14 |
Injunctive Relief | 18 | ||
Article VIII Definitions and Terms | 18 | |||
8.1 |
Specific Definitions | 18 | ||
8.2 |
Other Terms | 27 | ||
8.3 |
Other Definitional Provisions | 27 |
This JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated as of May 1, 2000, among PULITZER INC., a Delaware corporation (“Pulitzer”), PULITZER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (“PTI” and together with Pulitzer, the “Pulitzer Parties”), THE HERALD COMPANY, INC. a New York corporation (“Herald”), and ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”).
NOW, THEREFORE, the Pulitzer Parties, Herald and the Company agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
1.1 Formation of the Company. Pulitzer has caused each of the following to occur:
(a) Organization of the Company. The Company has been organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) Organizational Documents. The Company’s Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 12, 2000, a copy of which is set forth as Exhibit 1.1(b) hereto.
ARTICLE II
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PTI Contributed Assets, free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances); and (ii) assign to the Company, and the Company shall assume and agree to pay, honor, discharge and perform, the PTI Assumed Liabilities. The parties agree that the PTI Assumed Liabilities are intended to be, and the parties shall treat them as, “qualified liabilities” under Regulations Section 1.707-5(a)(6) unless different treatment is required under applicable law.
(f) License Agreement. Pulitzer and the Company shall enter into a License Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(f) hereto.
(a) Herald Deliveries. Herald shall execute and deliver:
(i) to the Company, limited warranty deeds, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Pulitzer Parties, transferring all Herald Owned Real Property to the Company;
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(ii) to the Company, certificates of title, assignments, and all other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Pulitzer Parties, transferring to the Company all Herald Contributed Assets other than the Herald Real Property which is being transferred to the Company pursuant to the conveyance documents described in clause (i) above;
(iii) to the Company, such instruments of assumption and other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Pulitzer Parties, as may be necessary to effect assignment of the Herald Assumed Liabilities to the Company;
(iv) to the Company or Pulitzer, as appropriate, a duly executed copy of each of the Transaction Agreements to which Herald is a party, including the Operating Agreement, the Herald Indemnity and the Non-Confidentiality Agreement;
(v) to the Pulitzer Parties and the Company, the opinion of Xxxxx, Bermant & Xxxxx LLP, counsel to Herald, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(a)(v) hereto;
(vi) to the Company, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Pulitzer Parties that all Encumbrances, if any, other than Permitted Encumbrances on any of the Herald Contributed Assets have been released; and
(vii) to the Pulitzer Parties and/or the Company, as appropriate, such other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Pulitzer Parties and the Company, as may be necessary to effect the Closing and the contribution of the Herald Contributed Assets in accordance with this Agreement.
(b) Pulitzer Deliveries. Pulitzer shall execute and deliver:
(i) to the Company, limited warranty deeds, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, transferring all Pulitzer Owned Real Property to the Company;
(ii) to the Company, assignments or, where necessary, subleases, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, assigning or subleasing to the Company all Pulitzer Real Property Leases;
(iii) to the Company, certificates of title, assignments, and all other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, transferring to the Company all Pulitzer Contributed Assets other than the Pulitzer Real Property which is being transferred to the Company pursuant to the conveyance documents described in clauses (i) - (ii) above;
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(iv) to the Company, such instruments of assumption and other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, as may be necessary to effect assignment of the Pulitzer Assumed Liabilities to the Company;
(v) to the Company or Herald, as appropriate, a duly executed copy of each of the Transaction Agreements to which Pulitzer is a party, including the Operating Agreement, the Pulitzer Guaranty, the License Agreement and the Non-Confidentiality Agreement;
(vi) to the Company and Herald, a copy of the opinion of Fulbright & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P., counsel to the Pulitzer Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(b)(vi) hereto;
(vii) to the Company, evidence reasonably satisfactory to Herald that all Encumbrances, if any, other than Permitted Encumbrances on any of the Pulitzer Contributed Assets have been released; and
(viii) to Herald and/or the Company, as appropriate, such other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, as may be necessary to effect the Closing and the contribution of the Pulitzer Contributed Assets in accordance with this Agreement.
(c) PTI Deliveries. PTI shall execute and deliver:
(i) to the Company, certificates of title, assignments, and all other instruments of transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, transferring to the Company all PTI Contributed Assets;
(ii) to the Company, such instruments of assumption and other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, as may be necessary to effect assignment of the PTI Assumed Liabilities to the Company;
(iii) to the Company and Herald, a copy of the opinion of Fulbright & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P., counsel to the Pulitzer Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(b)(vi) hereto;
(iv) to the Company, assignments or, where necessary, subleases, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald, assigning or subleasing to the Company all PTI Real Property Leases;
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(v) to the Company evidence reasonably satisfactory to Herald that all Encumbrances, if any, other than Permitted Encumbrances on any of the PTI Contributed Assets have been released;
(vi) to the Company or Herald, as appropriate, a duly executed copy of each of the Transaction Agreements to which PTI is a party, including the Operating Agreement and the Non-Confidentiality Agreement; and
(vii) to Herald and/or the Company, as appropriate such other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald and the Company, as may be necessary to effect the Closing and the contribution of the PTI Contributed Assets in accordance with this Agreement.
(d) Deliveries by the Company. The Company shall execute and deliver:
(i) to Herald and the Pulitzer Parties, such instruments of assumption and other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald and the Pulitzer Parties, as may be necessary to effect the Company’s assumption of the Assumed Liabilities;
(ii) to the Pulitzer Parties or Herald, as appropriate, a duly executed copy of each of the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party, including the Operating Agreement, the Note Agreement, the License Agreement and the Non-Confidentiality Agreement; and
(iii) to the Pulitzer Parties and Herald, as appropriate, such other instruments or documents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Herald and the Pulitzer Parties, as may be necessary to effect the Closing.
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(a) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit arising from the operation and ownership of the Business for any tax period or portion thereof beginning December 27, 1999 and ending at the Effective Time shall be accounted for under and in accordance with the Agency Agreement and prior practice thereunder, treating April 30, 2000 as the end of a period for which income and loss is calculated under the Agency Agreement. Within sixty (60) Business Days following the Closing Date, Pulitzer shall pay to Herald its share of “Excess of Income over Expenses” (as defined in the Agency Agreement and prior practice thereunder), if any, for such period to the extent the amount due to Herald with respect to such period has not previously been paid, or Herald shall pay to Pulitzer its share of “Excess of Expenses over Income” (as defined in the Agency Agreement and prior practice thereunder), if any, for such period to the extent the amount due to Pulitzer with respect to such period has not previously been paid.
(b) Any payments made to or from the Company pursuant to Section 2.6(a) shall not result in any change in the value of any party’s Contributed Assets (as set forth in the Operating Agreement) or any party’s Capital Account or Percentage Interest (as both terms are defined in the Operating Agreement).
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and liabilities and for substantially similar time periods, as the Company would have had if such Consent had been obtained as of Closing. Once such Consent for the transfer of a Contributed Asset not transferred at the Closing is obtained, the party receiving such Consent shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Contributed Asset to the Company for no additional consideration and without changing any party’s Capital Account or Percentage Interest (as both terms are defined in the Operating Agreement).
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HERALD
Herald represents and warrants to the Pulitzer Parties, the Company and the Lenders as follows:
3.1 Organization and Qualification.
(a) Herald is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a). Herald has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate the Herald Contributed Assets.
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(b) Herald is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in the jurisdictions listed on Schedule 3.1(b), which are the only jurisdictions where the ownership or operation of the Herald Contributed Assets requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
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parties thereto will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of Herald, enforceable with respect to Herald in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited or otherwise effected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability Relating to, or affecting, creditors rights and to general equity principles.
3.6 Entire Business; Title to Property.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6(a), the Herald Contributed Assets and the rights specifically provided or made available to the Company under the Transaction Agreements to which Herald is or becomes a party, include all of Herald’s right, title and interest in the buildings, machinery, equipment and other assets (whether tangible or intangible) utilized in connection with the operations of the Business immediately before Closing (subject to changes expressly permitted by the terms hereof to be made after the date hereof).
(b) Herald has good (and, in the case of its Owned Real Property, marketable) title to, or a valid and binding leasehold interest in, the Herald Contributed Assets, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except (i) as set forth in Schedule 3.6(b), and (ii) any Permitted Encumbrances.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PULITZER PARTIES
The Pulitzer Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Herald, the Company and the Lenders as follows:
4.1 Organization and Qualification. Pulitzer and PTI each is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its Contributed Assets. Pulitzer and PTI each is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in the jurisdictions respectively listed on Schedule 4.1,
10
which are the only jurisdictions where the ownership or operation of its Contributed Assets or the conduct of the Business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Pulitzer and PTI (to the extent it is or becomes a party to such Transaction Agreement), enforceable with respect to Pulitzer and PTI in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited or otherwise effected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability Relating to, or affecting, creditors rights and to general equity principles.
4.6 Entire Business; Title to Property.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.6(a), the Pulitzer Contributed Assets and the PTI Contributed Assets, and the rights specifically provided or made available to the Company under the Transaction Agreements, include all of Pulitzer’s and PTI’s respective right, title and interest in and to all the buildings, machinery, equipment and other assets (whether tangible or intangible) utilized in connection with the operations of the Post-Dispatch and the Contributed Entities immediately before Closing (subject to changes expressly permitted by the terms hereof to be made after the date hereof); provided, however, that no representation is made as to the assignability of Government Authorizations.
(b) Pulitzer and PTI each have good (and, in the case of its Owned Real Property, marketable) title to, or a valid and binding leasehold interest in, the Pulitzer Contributed Assets and PTI Contributed Assets, as the case may be, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except (i) as set forth in Schedule 4.6(b) and (ii) any Permitted Encumbrances.
4.9 Organization of Company. The Company is a limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
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Agreement and the agreements and contracts contemplated hereby, including the Transaction Agreements to which it is or becomes a party.
ARTICLE V
ARTICLE VI
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Indemnifying Party’s obligations with respect to such indemnification claim shall survive until such time as such claim is finally resolved.
6.3 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) Any Indemnified Person making a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 above (an “Indemnified Party”) must give the party from whom indemnification is sought (an “Indemnifying Party”) notice of such claim (in a manner consistent with Section 7.1 hereof) describing such claim with reasonable particularity and the nature and amount of the Loss to the extent that the nature and amount of such Loss is known at such time (an “Indemnification Claim Notice”) promptly after the Indemnified Party discovers the liability, obligations or facts giving rise to such claim for indemnification; provided that
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the failure to notify or delay in notifying an Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations pursuant to Section 6.2 except to the extent that (and only to the extent that) such failure shall have (i) caused or materially increased the Indemnifying Party’s liability, (ii) resulted in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of substantial rights and defenses or (iii) otherwise materially prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
(b) The Indemnifying Party shall have 60 days from the date the Indemnification Claim Notice is deemed given pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof (the “Notice Period”) to notify the Indemnified Party (i) whether or not the Indemnifying Party disputes the liability of the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party with respect to such claim or demand and (ii) whether or not it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against such claim or demand. If the Indemnifying Party elects to defend any such claim or demand, the Indemnifying Party shall have the sole power to direct and control such defense. If any Indemnified Party desires to participate in any such defense, it may do so at its sole cost and expense.
ARTICLE VII
To Pulitzer or PTI: |
PULITZER INC. | |
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx. | ||
Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
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With a copy to: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | |
Fulbright & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P. | ||
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
To Herald: |
THE HERALD COMPANY, INC. | |
c/o Newark Morning Ledger Co. | ||
Xxxx-Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
With a copy to: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq. | |
Xxxxx, Bermant & Xxxxx LLP | ||
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxx - 00xx Xxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
To the Company: |
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH LLC | |
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx. | ||
Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
With a copy to: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | |
Fulbright & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P. | ||
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 |
7.2 Amendment; Waiver. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by each of the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.
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Herald may transfer their Interests (as defined in the Operating Agreement) if permitted under the Operating Agreement.
7.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Selection of Forum. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware. Each party hereto agrees that it shall bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or Related to this Agreement or the transactions contained in or contemplated by this Agreement, whether in tort or contract or at law or in equity, exclusively in the United States District Court or the state court sitting in New Castle County, Delaware (the “Chosen Court”) and (i) irrevocably submits to the
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exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Court, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Court, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party hereto, and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 7.1 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
8.1.1 “Affiliate” of a Person shall mean any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person as
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of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made. For the purpose of this definition, “control” means (i) the direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 50% of the voting stock or other voting interest in any Person, or (ii) the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management or affairs of a Person, whether through the direct or indirect ownership of voting interests, by contract or otherwise.
8.1.2 “Agency Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.3 “Agreement” shall mean this Agreement (including the Preliminary Statements set forth above and all Schedules and Exhibits), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
8.1.4 “Assumed Liabilities” shall mean all debts, liabilities, commitments, or obligations whatsoever, other than Retained Liabilities, Related to the Business or Related to any of Herald’s, PTI’s or Pulitzer’s Contributed Assets, whether arising before or after the Closing and whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, including the following:
(i) all debts, liabilities, obligations or commitments Related to or arising under the Contracts to the extent such Contracts are assigned to the Company, including the Real Estate Leases, and the Employee Plans with respect to Employees, former Employees or their covered dependents and beneficiaries;
(ii) all debts, liabilities, obligations or commitments Related to the Real Property;
(iii) the current liabilities of the Business, including trade accounts payable, current lease obligations, salaries, wages and commissions, and workers compensation obligations;
(iv) all liabilities under environmental Laws Related to the ownership, operation or conduct of the Business or the Real Property; and
(v) subject to Section 7.4, all liabilities with respect to all actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims or investigations Related to the Business or that otherwise are Related to the Contributed Assets, at law, in equity or otherwise.
8.1.5 “Books And Records” shall mean originals or true and correct copies of all lists, files, data and databases and documents Relating to customers, suppliers and products of the Business, the Contributed Assets, or the Assumed Liabilities, all personnel records or files regarding any Employee of the Business or the Contributed Entities, and all general ledgers and underlying books of original entry and other financial records of the Business, except to the extent included in the Retained Assets.
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8.1.6 “Business” shall mean the assets, operations and activities of the Post-Dispatch and the Contributed Entities.
8.1.7 “Business Day” shall mean a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banks generally are open in New York, New York, St. Louis, Missouri and Wilmington, Delaware for a full range of business.
8.1.8 “Chosen Court” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.10.
8.1.9 “Closing” shall mean the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.1.10 “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
8.1.11 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
8.1.12 “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.13 “Company Debt” shall mean the loan in the aggregate principal amount of $306 million to the Company pursuant to the Note Agreement.
8.1.14 “Consent” shall mean any consent, approval, authorization, waiver, permit, grant, franchise, concession, agreement, license, exemption or order of, registration, certificate, declaration or filing with, or report or notice to any Person, including any Governmental Authority Relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.1.15 “Contracts” shall mean all agreements, contracts, leases, purchase orders, trade billback, refund and other arrangements, incentive agreements, commitments, collective bargaining agreements, and licenses that are Related to the Business or the Contributed Assets or to which such Contributed Assets are subject, except to the extent included in any party’s Retained Assets.
8.1.16 “Contributed Assets” shall mean all of the assets of a party which Relate to the Business, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal, as they exist on the date hereof, with such changes, deletions or additions thereto as may occur from the date hereof to the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business or are otherwise permitted by this Agreement (except, in each case, for the Retained Assets), including the following:
(i) the Real Property;
(ii) the Fixtures and Equipment;
(iii) the current assets, including cash and deposits, trade accounts receivable, newsprint inventory and prepaid expenses;
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(iv) Intellectual Property;
(v) the Books and Records;
(vi) the Contracts;
(vii) the stock or other ownership interests of the Contributed Entities;
(viii) all Governmental Authorizations which are transferable without obtaining any Consent;
(ix) subject to Section 7.4, the Agency Agreement; and
(x) any other assets of the kind or similar to those set forth on the balance sheet attached hereto as Schedule 8.1.16.
8.1.17 “Contributed Entities” shall mean xxxx-xxx.xxx LLC, Arch Distribution, Gateway Consumer Services and SCR Associates LLC, or their respective successors in interest.
8.1.18 “Disclosure Schedules” shall mean the Disclosure Schedules dated the date hereof delivered by Pulitzer or Herald in connection with this Agreement.
8.1.19 “Effective Time” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
8.1.20 “Employee” shall mean, with respect to the Business, an individual who is or was employed directly and primarily in the Business by Pulitzer, PTI, any Contributed Entity or their respective predecessors, whether salaried or hourly and whether, at the time of the Closing, on lay-off or medical, family or other authorized leave of absence; provided, however, that any individual who is designated as a “corporate employee” of Pulitzer will be deemed not to be an Employee notwithstanding the participation by such individual in the Business.
8.1.21 “Employee Plans” shall mean any “employee welfare benefit plans” and “employee pension benefit plans” as defined in Sections 3(1) and 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any other compensatory plan, program or arrangement with or for the benefit of Employees, former Employees and their covered dependents and beneficiaries, but only to the extent Related to the Business.
8.1.22 “Encumbrances” shall mean liens, charges, encumbrances, security interests, options or any other restrictions or third-party rights, including any third party Consents.
8.1.23 “Fixtures And Equipment” shall mean all furniture, fixtures, furnishings, machinery, vehicles, equipment (including computer hardware, computer terminals, network servers, and research and development equipment) and other tangible personal property Related to the Business.
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8.1.24 “Governmental Authority” shall mean any nation or government, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any government authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of the United States, any State of the United States or any political subdivision thereof.
8.1.25 “Governmental Authorizations” shall mean all licenses, permits, franchises, certificates of occupancy, other certificates and other authorizations and approvals required to carry on a Business as currently conducted under the applicable laws, ordinances or regulations of any Governmental Authority.
8.1.26 “Herald” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.27 “Herald Assumed Liabilities” shall mean all Assumed Liabilities transferred to the Company by Herald.
8.1.28 “Herald Contributed Assets” shall mean all Contributed Assets, owned by Herald or in which Herald has a beneficial interest either directly or indirectly through the Contributed Entities, Related to the Business.
8.1.29 “Herald Indemnity” shall mean the Indemnity Agreement between Herald and Pulitzer, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(h) hereto, pursuant to which Herald has agreed to indemnify Pulitzer against certain amounts which may be incurred or paid by, or assessed against, Pulitzer under the Pulitzer Guaranty.
8.1.30 “Herald Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).
8.1.31 “Herald Leased Real Property” shall mean the Leased Real Property of Herald.
8.1.32 “Herald Owned Real Property” shall mean the Real Property owned in whole or in part by Herald and utilized in the Business.
8.1.33 “Herald Real Property” shall mean the Real Property owned by Herald and utilized in the Business.
8.1.34 “Herald Retained Assets” shall mean the Retained Assets of Herald.
8.1.35 “Herald Retained Liabilities” shall mean the Retained Liabilities of Herald.
8.1.36 “Indemnification Claim Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
8.1.37 “Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
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8.1.38 “Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
8.1.39 “Intellectual Property” shall mean (except to the extent included in the Retained Assets) all of the intellectual property (and the rights associated therewith) Related to the Business or the Contributed Assets, including:
(a) trademarks, service marks, brand names, certification marks, trade dress, assumed names, Internet domain names, trade names and other indications of origin, the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations in any jurisdiction of, and applications in any jurisdiction to register, the foregoing (including any extension, modification or renewal of any such registration or application);
(b) non-public information, trade secrets, confidential information, know how, proprietary technology and rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any Person;
(c) copyrighted works and registrations or applications for registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or extensions thereof;
(d) any similar intellectual property or proprietary rights; and
(e) any claims or causes of action arising out of or Related to any infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing occurring before or after the Closing.
8.1.40 “Laws” shall mean any federal, state, foreign or local law, statute, ordinance, rule, code, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority.
8.1.41 “Leased Real Property” shall mean all land, buildings, fixtures and other Real Property leased on the date hereof by any of the Pulitzer Parties, Herald or any of the Contributed Entities as lessee and used in the Business.
8.1.42 “Lenders” shall mean the Purchasers (as defined in the Note Agreement).
8.1.43 “License Agreement” means the License Agreement between Pulitzer and the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(f).
8.1.44 “Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
8.1.45 “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any and all events, changes or effects that have occurred which would materially and adversely affect the value of the Contributed Assets as a whole or the Business as a whole.
8.1.46 “Note Agreement” shall mean the Note Agreement entered into as of the Closing Date by and among the Company, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and certain other institutional lenders Relating to the Company Debt.
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8.1.47 “Notice Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
8.1.48 “Operating Agreement” shall mean that certain Operating Agreement among Pulitzer, PTI and Herald to be dated as of the Closing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(d), that shall govern the rights and obligations of the Members of the Company.
8.1.49 “Owned Real Property” shall mean all land and all buildings, fixtures, and other improvements owned by any of the Pulitzer Parties, Herald or any of the Contributed Entities and utilized in the Business.
8.1.50 “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean, with respect to any party’s Encumbrances, (i) liens for taxes (which are not related to income, sales or withholding taxes), assessments and other governmental charges not yet due and payable or due but not delinquent as of the Closing Date or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established on the Final Statement; (ii) mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s, carrier’s, or other like liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts which are not delinquent and which will not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, original purchase price conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business; (iii) with respect to either the Pulitzer Real Property, PTI Real Property or the Herald Real Property, (A) easements, quasi-easements, licenses, covenants, rights-of-way and other similar restrictions, including any other agreements, conditions, restrictions, or other matters which would be shown by a current title report or other similar report or listing, (B) any conditions that may be shown by a current survey, title report or physical inspection, and (C) zoning, building and other similar restrictions; (iv) the failure to obtain or give any Consent; and (v) Encumbrances not described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) and which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, including any matter set forth in Schedules 3.6(a) and (b) or 4.6(a) and (b).
8.1.51 “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust or other entity or organization.
8.1.52 “Post-Dispatch” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.53 “PTI” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.54 “PTI Assumed Liabilities” shall mean the Assumed Liabilities transferred to the Company by PTI.
8.1.55 “PTI Contributed Assets” shall mean the Contributed Assets, owned by PTI or in which PTI has a beneficial interest either directly or indirectly through the Contributed Entities, Related to the Business.
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8.1.56 “PTI Real Property Leases” shall mean the leases Relating to the Leased Real Property entered into by PTI and utilized in the Business.
8.1.57 “PTI Retained Assets” shall mean the Retained Assets of PTI.
8.1.58 “PTI Retained Liabilities” shall mean the Retained Liabilities of PTI incurred in connection with the Business.
8.1.59 “Pulitzer” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.60 “Pulitzer Assumed Liabilities” shall mean the Assumed Liabilities transferred to the Company by Pulitzer.
8.1.61 “Pulitzer Contributed Assets” shall mean the Contributed Assets, owned by Pulitzer or in which Pulitzer has a beneficial interest either directly or indirectly through the Contributed Entities, Related to the Business.
8.1.62 “Pulitzer Guaranty” shall mean the Guaranty Agreement made as of the Closing by Pulitzer in connection with the Note Agreement.
8.1.63 “Pulitzer Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
8.1.64 “Pulitzer Owned Real Property” shall mean the Owned Real Property of any of the Pulitzer Parties and utilized in the Business.
8.1.65 “Pulitzer Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
8.1.66 “Pulitzer Real Property” shall mean the Real Property owned by any of the Pulitzer Parties and utilized in the Business.
8.1.67 “Pulitzer Real Property Leases” shall mean the leases Relating to the Leased Real Property entered into by Pulitzer or any of the Contributed Entities and utilized in the Business.
8.1.68 “Pulitzer Retained Assets” shall mean the Retained Assets of Pulitzer.
8.1.69 “Pulitzer Retained Liabilities” shall mean the Retained Liabilities of Pulitzer incurred in connection with the Business.
8.1.70 “Real Property” shall mean the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property.
8.1.71 “Regulations” shall mean the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department pursuant to the Code.
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8.1.72 “Related to” or “Relating to” shall mean primarily related to, or used primarily in connection with.
8.1.73 “Retained Assets” shall mean all of the assets of a party which do not Relate to the Business, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal, as they exist on the date hereof, (except, in each case, for the Contributed Assets), including the following:
(a) the assets (including Real Property, tangible personal property, accounts receivable, intellectual property and contracts) Related to any business conducted by Herald, Pulitzer or PTI and any of their respective Affiliates other than the Business;
(b) the stock or other ownership interests of all subsidiaries of Pulitzer, PTI or Herald other than the Contributed Entities;
(c) all cash and cash accounts, disbursement accounts, outstanding checks and disbursements, investment securities and other short-term and medium-term investments;
(d) all deferred tax assets of Pulitzer, PTI or Herald;
(e) all tax returns and related work papers of Pulitzer, PTI, Herald or any of their respective Affiliates;
(f) all assets held by or under any funded Employee Plans to the extent such Employee Plans and the assets thereunder are not specifically assumed by the Company or a Contributed Entity hereunder;
(g) all Governmental Authorizations to the extent not transferable without obtaining a Consent;
(h) the Retained Real Property and any financial instruments Related to the Retained Real Property;
(i) all of Pulitzer’s or Herald’s insurance policies, subject to their rights under such insurance policies and the rights of the Company if any under such policies;
(j) all of Pulitzer’s right, title and interest in and to the name “Pulitzer” or any part thereof whether alone or in combination with one or more other words;
(k) all of Pulitzer’s right, title and interest in the name “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” and certain other rights as set forth in the License Agreement;
(l) all rights of the Pulitzer Parties under this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements, and all rights of Herald under this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements; and
(m) all contracts which are not transferred to the Company in accordance with Section 2.8 hereof, subject to the provisions thereof.
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8.1.74 “Retained Liabilities” shall mean all of the following debts, liabilities, commitments or obligations, whether arising before or after the Closing and whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, not Related to the Business, including the following:
(a) all liabilities Related to the Retained Assets;
(b) all liabilities which are retained by Pulitzer, PTI or Herald under the Transaction Agreements or this Agreement;
(c) all liabilities under the Employee Plans, except to the extent such liabilities are specifically assumed by the Company or a Contributed Entity hereunder;
(d) all liabilities for taxes imposed with respect to the taxable periods, or portions thereof, ending on or before the Closing Date;
(e) all liabilities for indebtedness for borrowed money and any other obligation which are fixed as to amount and certainty as of the Closing or which are secured by a lien that is not a Permitted Encumbrance on any of the Contributed Assets, but not including liabilities under Contracts included in the Contributed Assets and Assumed Liabilities; and
(f) all other debts, liabilities or obligations whatsoever that do not Relate to the Business or that do not otherwise Relate to the Contributed Assets.
8.1.75 “Retained Real Property” shall mean the Real Property retained by Herald or Pulitzer.
8.1.76 “Survival Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
8.1.77 “Transaction Agreements” shall mean the Operating Agreement, the Pulitzer Guaranty, the Herald Indemnity, the Non-Confidentiality Agreement, the License Agreement and the Note Agreement.
8.1.78 “Transfer Costs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
8.3 Other Definitional Provisions.
(a) The words “whereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “including” means “including without limitation.”
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(b) The terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa.
(c) The terms “dollars” and “$” shall mean United States dollars.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Joint Venture Agreement as of the date first written above.
PULTIZER INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX | |||
Name: |
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: |
Senior Vice President - Finance |
PULITZER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ XXX X. XXXX | |||
Name: |
Xxx X. Xxxx | |||
Title: |
Treasurer |
THE HERALD COMPANY, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ X. X. XXXXXXXX, JR. | |||
Name: |
X.X. Xxxxxxxx, Jr. | |||
Title: |
Vice President |
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXX | |||
Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: |
Vice President - Finance |
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SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
SCHEDULES
Schedule 3.1(a) |
Herald State of Organization | |
Schedule 3.1(b) |
Herald Qualification in Foreign Jurisdictions | |
Schedule 3.3 |
Herald Consents | |
Schedule 3.4 |
Herald Non-Contravention | |
Schedule 3.6(a) |
Herald Title | |
Schedule 3.6(b) |
Herald Leases | |
Schedule 4.1 |
Pulitzer and PTI Qualification in Foreign Jurisdictions | |
Schedule 4.3 |
Pulitzer and PTI Consents | |
Schedule 4.4 |
Pulitzer and PTI Non-Contravention | |
Schedule 4.6(a) |
Pulitzer and PTI Title | |
Schedule 4.6(b) |
Pulitzer and PTI Leases | |
Schedule 4.8 |
Pulitzer and PTI Indebtedness | |
Schedule 8.1.16 |
Balance Sheet |
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1.1 | (b) | Certificate of Formation | |
Exhibit 2.1 | (d) | Form of Operating Agreement | |
Exhibit 2.1 | (f) | Form of License Agreement | |
Exhibit 2.1 | (h) | Form of Herald Indemnity | |
Exhibit 2.1 | (i) | Form of Non-Confidentiality Agreement | |
Exhibit 2.2 | (a)(v) | Opinion of Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP | |
Exhibit 2.2 | (b)(vi) | Opinion of Fulbright & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P. | |
Exhibit 2.9 | Draft Forms of Note Agreement and Pulitzer Guaranty |
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