SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit
4.1
This
Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is
dated as of June ___, 2005 among Fellows Energy Ltd., a Nevada corporation
(the
“Company”),
and
each purchaser identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including
its
successors and assigns, a “Purchaser”
and
collectively the “Purchasers”).
WHEREAS,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant
to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”)
and
Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to
each
Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to purchase
from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of
which
are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.
In
addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement: (a) capitalized
terms
that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms
in
the Debentures (as defined herein), and (b) the following terms have the
meanings indicated in this Section 1.1:
“Action”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).
“Affiliate”
means
any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as
such
terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act.
With
respect to a Purchaser, any investment fund or managed account that is managed
on a discretionary basis by the same investment manager as such Purchaser
will
be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Purchaser.
“Closing”
means
the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section
2.1.
“Closing
Date”
means
the Trading Day when all of the Transaction Documents have been executed
and
delivered by the applicable parties thereto, and all conditions precedent
to (i)
the Purchasers’ obligations to pay the Subscription Amount and (ii) the
Company’s obligations to deliver the Securities have been satisfied or
waived.
-1-
“Closing
Price”
means
on any particular date (a) the last reported closing bid price per
share of
Common Stock on such date on the Trading Market (as reported by Bloomberg
L.P.
at 4:15 PM (New York time), or (b) if there is no such price on such date,
then
the closing bid price on the Trading Market on the date nearest preceding
such
date (as reported by Bloomberg L.P. at 4:15 PM (New York time) for the closing
bid price for regular session trading on such day), or (c) if the
Common
Stock is not then listed or quoted on the Trading Market and if prices for
the
Common Stock are then reported in the “pink sheets” published by the Pink
Sheets, LLC (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions
of
reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock
so
reported, or (d) if the shares of Common Stock are not then publicly
traded
the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by a qualified
independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority
in
interest of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures.
“Commission”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common
Stock”
means
the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other
class
of securities into which such securities may hereafter have been reclassified
or
changed into.
“Common
Stock Equivalents”
means
any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the
holder
thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation,
any
debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that
is at
any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise
entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company
Counsel”
means
Sichenzia Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP.
“Conversion
Price”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Debentures.
“Debentures”
means,
the Convertible Debentures due, subject to the terms therein, 27 months from
their date of issuance, issued by the Company to the Purchasers hereunder,
in
the form of Exhibit
A.
“Disclosure
Schedules”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1.
“Effective
Date”
means
the date that the initial Registration Statement filed by the Company pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement is first declared effective by the
Commission.
“Escrow
Agent”
shall
have the meaning set forth in the Escrow Agreement.
“Escrow
Agreement”
shall
mean the Escrow Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit
E
hereto
executed and delivered contemporaneously with this Agreement.
“Evaluation
Date”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(r).
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“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“Exempt
Issuance”
means
the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers
or
directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted
by
the Board of Directors of the Company, (b) securities upon the exercise or
exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or securities
exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock
issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such
securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase
the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise, exchange or
conversion price of any such securities, and (c) securities issued pursuant
to
acquisitions or strategic transactions, provided any such issuance shall
only be
to a Person which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company
in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and in which the
Company receives benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall
not
include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily
for
the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is
investing in securities.
“FW”
means
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx LLP with offices located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx
0000,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000.
“GAAP”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).
“Intellectual
Property Rights”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(o).
“Legend
Removal Date”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(c).
“Liens”
means a
lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive
right or other restriction.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
shall
have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).
“Material
Permits”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(m).
“Maximum
Rate”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.17.
“Participation
Maximum”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
“Person”
means
an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company,
government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any
kind.
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“Pre-Notice”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
“Principal
Amount”
shall
mean, as to each Purchaser, the amounts set forth below such Purchaser’s
signature block on the signature pages hereto and next to the heading “Principal
Amount”, in United States Dollars, which shall equal such Purchaser’s
Subscription Amount multiplied by 1.429.
“Proceeding”
means
an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without
limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition),
whether commenced or threatened.
“Purchaser
Party”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.11.
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
means
the Registration Rights Agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Company
and
the Purchasers, in the form of Exhibit
B
attached
hereto.
“Registration
Statement”
means a
registration statement meeting the requirements set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement and covering the resale of the Underlying Shares by each
Purchaser as provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Required
Approvals”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).
“Required
Minimum”
means,
as of any date, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then
issued or potentially issuable in the future pursuant to the Transaction
Documents, including any Underlying Shares issuable upon exercise or conversion
in full of all Warrants and Debentures, ignoring any conversion or exercise
limits set forth therein, and assuming that the Conversion Price is at all
times
on and after the date of determination 75% of the then Conversion Price on
the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination.
“Rule
144”
means
Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as
such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect
as such
Rule.
“SEC
Reports”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).
“Securities”
means
the Debentures, the Warrants, the Warrant Shares and the Underlying
Shares.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Short
Sales”
shall
include all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the
Exchange Act.
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“Subscription
Amount”means,
as
to each Purchaser, the aggregate amount
to be
paid for Debentures and Warrants purchased hereunder as specified below such
Purchaser’s name on the signature page of this Agreement and next to the heading
“Subscription Amount”, in United States Dollars and in immediately available
funds.
“Subsequent
Financing”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
“Subsequent
Financing Notice”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
“Subsidiary”
means
any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule
3.1(a).
“Trading
Day”
means a
day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading
Market”
means
the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or
quoted
for trading on the date in question: the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the American
Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market or
the
OTC Bulletin Board.
“Transaction
Documents”
means
this Agreement, the Debentures, the Warrants, the Escrow Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement and any other documents or agreements executed
in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Underlying
Shares”
means
the shares of Common Stock issued and issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
and upon exercise of the Warrants.
“Warrants”
means
collectively the Common Stock purchase warrants, in the form of Exhibit
C
delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a)
hereof, which Warrants shall be exercisable immediately and have a term of
exercise equal to three years.
“Warrant
Shares”
means
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
ARTICLE
II.
PURCHASE
AND SALE
2.1 Closing.
On the
Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties
hereto, the Company agrees to sell, and each Purchaser agrees to purchase
in the
aggregate, severally and not jointly, up to $6,300,000 principal amount of
the
Debentures. Each Purchaser shall deliver to the Company via wire transfer
or a
certified check immediately available funds equal to their Subscription Amount
and the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser their respective Debenture
and
Warrants as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and the other items set
forth
in Section 2.2 issuable at the Closing. Upon satisfaction of the conditions
set
forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Closing shall occur at the offices of
the
Escrow Agent, or such other location as the parties shall mutually
agree.
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2.2 Deliveries.
| a) |
On
the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered
to
the Escrow Agent with respect to each Purchaser the
following:
|
| (i) |
this
Agreement duly executed by the Company;
|
| (ii) |
a
legal opinion of Company Counsel, in the form of Exhibit
D
attached hereto;
|
| (iii) |
a
Debenture with a principal amount equal to such Purchaser’s Principal
Amount, registered in the name of such
Purchaser;
|
| (iv) |
a
Warrant registered in the name of such Purchaser to purchase up to
a
number of shares of Common Stock equal to 50% of such Purchaser’s
Principal Amount divided by the Conversion Price, with an exercise
price
equal to $_____1,
subject to adjustment therein;
|
| (v) |
the
Escrow Agreement duly executed by the Company;
and
|
| (vi) |
the
Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by the
Company.
|
| b) |
On
the Closing Date, each Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered
to
the Escrow Agent the following:
|
| (i) |
this
Agreement duly executed by such
Purchaser;
|
| (ii) |
such
Purchaser’s Subscription Amount by wire transfer to the account of the
Escrow Agent;
|
| (iii) |
the
Escrow Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser;
and
|
| (iv) |
the
Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by such
Purchaser.
|
2.3 Closing
Conditions.
| a) |
The
obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with the Closing
are
subject to the following conditions being
met:
|
| 1 |
110%
of the Closing Price on the Trading Day immediately prior to the
date
hereof.
|
-6-
| (i) |
the
accuracy in all material respects when made and on the Closing Date
of the
representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained
herein;
|
| (ii) |
all
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchasers required
to be
performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed;
and
|
| (iii) |
the
delivery by the Purchasers of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b)
of
this Agreement.
|
| b) |
The
respective obligations of the Purchasers hereunder in connection
with the
Closing are subject to the following conditions being
met:
|
| (i) |
the
accuracy in all material respects on the Closing Date of the
representations and warranties of the Company contained
herein;
|
| (ii) |
all
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to
be
performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed;
|
| (iii) |
the
delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a)
of this
Agreement;
|
| (iv) |
there
shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company
since the date hereof; and
|
| (v) |
from
the date hereof to the Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock
shall not
have been suspended by the Commission (except for any suspension
of
trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension
shall be terminated prior to the Closing), and, at any time prior
to the
Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg
Financial Markets shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum
prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades
are
reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking
moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New
York
State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak
or
escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity
of
such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in,
any
financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment
of each
Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the
Debentures at the Closing.
|
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ARTICLE
III.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
Except
as set forth under the corresponding section of the disclosure schedules
delivered to the Purchasers concurrently herewith (the “Disclosure
Schedules”)
which
Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof, the Company hereby makes
the
representations and warranties set forth below to each Purchaser.
(a) Subsidiaries.
All of
the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on
Schedule
3.1(a).
The
Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity
interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all the issued
and
outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued
and
are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights
to
subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries,
then
references in the Transaction Documents to the Subsidiaries will be
disregarded.
(b) Organization
and Qualification.
The
Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (as applicable), with the
requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and
to
carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary is in violation or default of any of the provisions of its respective
certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational
or
charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified
to
conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other
entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted
or
property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the
failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could
not
have or reasonably be expected to result in (i) a material adverse effect
on the
legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a
material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business,
prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the
Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its
obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a
“Material
Adverse Effect”)
and no
Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting
or
curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority
or
qualification.
(c) Authorization;
Enforcement.
The
Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
to
consummate the transactions contemplated by each of the Transaction Documents
and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The
execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents by the Company
and
the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby have been
duly
authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further
action is required by the Company, its board of directors or its stockholders
in
connection therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals.
Each
Transaction Document has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly
-8-
executed
by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and
thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except (i) as
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights
generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific
performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.
(d) No
Conflicts.
The
execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company
and the consummation by the Company of the other transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any
provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of
incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii)
conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse
of
time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any
Lien
upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or
give
to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
(with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit
facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt
or
otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary
is a
party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary
is
bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with
or
result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction,
decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which
the
Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities
laws
and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a
Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii)
and
(iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(e) Filings,
Consents and Approvals.
The
Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order
of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court
or
other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person
in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
the
Transaction Documents, other than (i) filings required pursuant to Section
4.6,
(ii) the filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement, (iii)
the
notice and/or application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the issuance
and sale of the Debentures and Warrants and the listing of the Underlying
Shares
for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, and (iv) the
filing
of Form D with the Commission and such filings as are required to be made
under
applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Required
Approvals”).
(f) Issuance
of the Securities.
The
Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance
with
the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company
other
than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents.
The
Underlying Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Transaction
Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and
clear
of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company has reserved from its duly
authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock for issuance
of the
Underlying Shares at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date hereof.
-9-
(g) Capitalization.
The
capitalization of the Company is as set forth on Schedule
3.1(g).
The
Company has not issued any capital stock since its most
recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act,
other
than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s
stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant
to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and pursuant to the conversion or
exercise of outstanding Common Stock Equivalents. No Person has any right
of
first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right
to
participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are
no
outstanding options, warrants, script rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights
or
obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving
any
Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock,
or
contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company
or
any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common
Stock
or Common Stock Equivalents. The issuance and sale of the Securities will
not
obligate the Company to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities
to any
Person (other than the Purchasers) and will not result in a right of any
holder
of Company securities to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset
price under such securities. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of
the Company are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued
in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such
outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar
rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or
authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors of the Company or
others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are
no
stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with
respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to
the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s
stockholders.
(h) SEC
Reports; Financial Statements.
The
Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years
preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required
by
law to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits
thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively
referred to herein as the “SEC
Reports”)
on a
timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and
has
filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension.
As of
their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects
with
the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and none of the SEC
Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company
included in the SEC Reports
-10-
comply
in
all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules
and
regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time
of
filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (“GAAP”),
except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the
notes
thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all
footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the
financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of
and
for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal,
immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.
(i) Material
Changes.
Since
the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC
Reports, except as specifically disclosed in the SEC Reports, (i) there has
been
no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not
incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables
and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent
with
past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s
financial statements pursuant to GAAP or required to be disclosed in filings
made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of
accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or
distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased,
redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital
stock and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer,
director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans.
The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for
confidential treatment of information.
(j) Litigation.
There
is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting
the
Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by
any
court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority
(federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”)
which
(i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability
of
any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there
were
an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director
or
officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim
of
violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim
of
breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the
Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the
Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer
of
the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order
suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company
or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
-11-
(k) Labor
Relations.
No
material labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent
with respect to any of the employees of the Company which could reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Compliance.
Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary (i) is in default under or in violation of
(and
no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse
of
time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary
under),
nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it
is in
default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit
agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or
by
which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or
violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any order of any court,
arbitrator or governmental body, or (iii) is or has been in violation of
any
statute, rule or regulation of any governmental authority, including without
limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws applicable to its business
except in each case as could not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Regulatory
Permits.
The
Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and
permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory
authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described
in the
SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not have
or
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material
Permits”),
and
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings
relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
(n) Title
to Assets.
The
Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple
to all
real property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company
and
the Subsidiaries and good and marketable title in all personal property owned
by
them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
in
each case free and clear of all Liens, except for Liens as do not materially
affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the
use
made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the
Subsidiaries and Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes,
the
payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real
property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries
are
held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases of which the
Company
and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
(o) Patents
and Trademarks.
The
Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent
applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, licenses and other similar rights necessary or material for use
in
connection with their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports
and
which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively,
the “Intellectual
Property Rights”).
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a written notice that
the
Intellectual Property Rights used by the Company or any Subsidiary violates
or
infringes upon the rights of any Person. To the knowledge of the Company,
all
such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing
infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights
of
others.
-12-
(p) Insurance.
The
Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial
responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent
and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries
are
engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance
coverage at least equal to the aggregate Subscription Amount. To the best
knowledge of the Company, such insurance contracts and policies are accurate
and
complete. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe
that
it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when
such
coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may
be
necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in
cost.
(q) Transactions
With Affiliates and Employees.
Except
as set forth in the SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of the
Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the
Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any
Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors),
including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the
furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal
property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer,
director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity
in
which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest
or
is an officer, director, trustee or partner, in each case in excess of $60,000
other than (i) for payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered,
(ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii)
for
other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock
option plan of the Company.
(r) Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx;
Internal Accounting Controls.
The
Company is in material compliance with all provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act
of 2002 which are applicable to it as of the Closing Date. The
Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed
in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability,
(iii)
access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is
compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate
action
is taken with respect to any differences. The Company has established disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e)) for the Company and designed such disclosure controls and procedures
to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its
Subsidiaries, is made known to the certifying officers by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which the Company’s most recently
filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, as the case may be, is being
prepared. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of
the Company’s controls and procedures as of the date prior to the filing date of
the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date,
the
“Evaluation
Date”).
The
Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange
Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of
the
disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the
Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no significant
changes in the Company’s internal controls (as such term is defined in Item
307(b) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) or, to the knowledge of
the
Company, in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s internal
controls.
-13-
(s) Certain
Fees.
No
brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company
to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent,
investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the
Transaction Documents.
The
Purchasers shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect
to
any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated
in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the
Transaction Documents.
(t) Private
Placement.
Assuming the accuracy of the Purchasers representations and warranties set
forth
in Section 3.2, no registration under the Securities Act is required for
the
offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Purchasers as
contemplated hereby. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does
not
contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market.
(u) Investment
Company.
The
Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt
of
payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment
company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become
subject to the Investment Company Act.
(v) Registration
Rights.
Other
than each of the Purchasers, no Person has any right to cause the Company
to
effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the
Company.
(w) Listing
and Maintenance Requirements.
The
Company’s Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange
Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge
is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common
Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification
that
the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company
has
not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any
Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted
to the
effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance
requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is, and has no reason to
believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance
with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
(x) Application
of Takeover Protections.
The
Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any,
in
order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business
combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement)
or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of
incorporation that is or could become applicable to the Purchasers as a result
of the Purchasers and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising
their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation
as a
result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Purchasers’ ownership
of the Securities.
-14-
(y) Disclosure.
The
Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf
has
provided any of the Purchasers or their agents or counsel with any information
that constitutes or might constitute material, nonpublic information. The
Company understands and confirms that the Purchasers will rely on the foregoing
representations and covenants in effecting transactions in securities of
the
Company. All disclosure provided to the Purchasers regarding the Company,
its
business and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure
Schedules to this Agreement, furnished by or on behalf of the Company with
respect to the representations and warranties made herein are true and correct
with respect to such representations and warranties and do not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and
agrees
that no Purchaser makes or has made any representations or warranties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically
set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
(z) No
Integrated Offering.
Assuming
the accuracy of the Purchasers’ representations and warranties set forth in
Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any Person
acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers
or
sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under
circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated
with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act or
any
applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without limitation,
under
the rules and regulations of any Trading Market on which any of the securities
of the Company are listed or designated.
(aa) Solvency.
Based
on the financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date after giving
effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the
Securities hereunder, (i) the Company’s fair saleable value of its assets
exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the
Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent
liabilities) as they mature; (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute
unreasonably small capital to carry on its business for the current fiscal
year
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs
taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business
conducted by the Company, and projected capital requirements and capital
availability thereof; and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together
with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of
its
assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would
be
sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its debt when such amounts
are
required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its
ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing
and
amounts of cash to be
-15-
payable
on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts
or
circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization
or
liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction
within one year from the Closing Date. The SEC Reports set forth as of the
dates
thereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company
or any
Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For
the
purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness”
shall
mean (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of
$50,000
(other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business),
(b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect
of
Indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected
in
the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value
of
any lease payments
in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance
with GAAP. Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any
Indebtedness.
(bb) Form
S-3 Eligibility.The
Company is eligible to register the resale of the Underlying Shares for resale
by the Purchaser on Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(cc) Tax
Status.
Except
for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each
Subsidiary has filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and
franchise tax returns and has paid or accrued all taxes shown as due thereon,
and the Company has no knowledge of a tax deficiency which has been asserted
or
threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary.
(dd) No
General Solicitation.
Neither
the Company nor any person acting on behalf of the Company has offered or
sold
any of the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general
advertising. The Company has offered the Securities for sale only to the
Purchasers and certain other “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule
501 under the Securities Act.
(ee) Foreign
Corrupt Practices.
Neither
the Company, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any agent or other person
acting on behalf of the Company, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any
funds
for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses
related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful
payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any
foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds,
(iii)
failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company (or made by
any
person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation
of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
(ff) Accountants.
The
Company’s accountants are set forth on Schedule
3.1(ff)
of the
Disclosure Schedule. To the knowledge of the Company, such accountants, who
the
Company expects will express their opinion with respect to the financial
statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
year ended December 31, 2004 are a registered public accounting firm as required
by the Securities Act.
-16-
(gg) Seniority.
As of
the Closing Date, no indebtedness or other equity of the Company is senior
to
the Debentures in right of payment, whether with respect to interest or upon
liquidation or dissolution, or otherwise, other than indebtedness secured
by
purchase money security interests (which is senior only as to underlying
assets
covered thereby) and capital lease obligations (which is senior only as to
the
property covered thereby).
(hh) No
Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers.
There
are no disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated
by the Company to arise, between the accountants and lawyers formerly or
presently employed by the Company and the Company is current with respect
to any
fees owed to its accountants and lawyers.
(ii) Acknowledgment
Regarding Purchasers’ Purchase of Securities.
The
Company acknowledges and agrees that each of the Purchasers is acting solely
in
the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction
Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company further
acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary
of
the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby and any advice given by any Purchaser or
any of
their respective representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement
and
the transactions contemplated hereby is merely incidental to the Purchasers’
purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Purchaser
that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement has been based solely
on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by
the
Company and its representatives.
(jj) Acknowledgement
Regarding Purchasers’ Trading Activity.
Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding
(except for Section 4.16 hereof), it is understood and agreed by the Company
(i)
that none of the Purchasers have been asked to agree, nor has any Purchaser
agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities
of
the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the
Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term; (ii) that past
or
future open market or other transactions by any Purchaser, including Short
Sales, and specifically including, without limitation, Short Sales or
“derivative” transactions, before or after the closing of this or future private
placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s
publicly-traded securities; (iii) that any Purchaser, and counter parties
in
“derivative” transactions to which any such Purchaser is a party, directly or
indirectly, presently may have a “short” position in the Common Stock, and (iv)
that each Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control
over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction.
The
Company further understands and acknowledges that (a) one or more Purchasers
may
engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the
Securities are outstanding, including,
-17-
without
limitation, during the periods that the value of the Underlying Shares
deliverable with respect to Securities are being determined and (b) such
hedging
activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing stockholders'
equity
interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities
are
being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned
hedging
activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction
Documents.
(kk) Manipulation
of Price.
The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has,
(i)
taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result
in the
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company
to
facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for,
purchased, or, paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of
the
Securities (other than for the placement agent’s placement of the Securities),
or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting
another to purchase any other securities of the Company.
3.2 Representations
and Warranties of the Purchasers.
Each
Purchaser hereby, for itself and for no other Purchaser, represents and warrants
as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date to the Company as
follows:
(a) Organization;
Authority.
Such
Purchaser is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with full right,
corporate or partnership power and authority to enter into and to consummate
the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry
out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and
performance by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action on
the
part of such Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party
has
been duly executed by such Purchaser, and when delivered by such Purchaser
in
accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding
obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general
application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as
limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive
relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and
contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(b) Own
Account.
Such
Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have
not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities
law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and
not
with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part
thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities
law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in
violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and
has
no arrangement or understanding with any other persons regarding the
distribution of such Securities (this representation and warranty not limiting
such Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities pursuant to the Registration
Statement or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws) in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state
securities law. Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the
ordinary course of its business. Such Purchaser does not have any agreement
or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to distribute any
of the
Securities.
-18-
(c) Purchaser
Status.
At the
time such Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and at the date hereof
it is, and on each date on which it exercises any Warrants or converts any
Debentures it will be either: (i) an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act or (ii)
a
“qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the Securities
Act. Such Purchaser is not required to be registered as a broker-dealer under
Section 15 of the Exchange Act.
(d) Experience
of Such Purchaser.
Such
Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such
knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters
so as
to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment
in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment.
Such Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the
Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of
such
investment.
(e) General
Solicitation.
Such
Purchaser is not purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement,
article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published
in any
newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio
or
presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general
advertisement.
(f) Short
Sales and Confidentiality Prior To The Date Hereof.
Other
than the transaction contemplated hereunder, such Purchaser has not directly
or
indirectly, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any
understanding with such Purchaser, executed any disposition, including Short
Sales (but not including the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares
of
Common Stock), in the securities of the Company during the period
commencing from
the time
that such Purchaser first received a term sheet from the Company or any other
Person setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated
hereunder until the date hereof (“Discussion
Time”).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment
vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such
Purchaser's assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of
the
investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions
of
such Purchaser's assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply
with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that
made
the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.
Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement, such Purchaser has
maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection
with
this transaction (including the existence and terms of this
transaction).
The
Company acknowledges and agrees that each Purchaser does not make or has
not
made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in this Section
3.2.
-19-
ARTICLE
IV.
OTHER
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1 Transfer
Restrictions.
(a) The
Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal
securities laws. In connection with any transfer of Securities other than
pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144, to the Company
or
to an affiliate of a Purchaser or in connection with a pledge as contemplated
in
Section 4.1(b), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide
to the
Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably
acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall
be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer
does
not require registration of such transferred Securities under the Securities
Act. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing
to
be bound by the terms of this Agreement and shall have the rights of a Purchaser
under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
(b) The
Purchasers agree to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section
4.1(b), of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:
[NEITHER]
THESE SECURITIES [NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE
[EXERCISABLE] [CONVERTIBLE]] HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE
UPON
AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE
“SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT
TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT
TO
AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL
TO
THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY
ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THESE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON
EXERCISE OF THESE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE
MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
The
Company acknowledges and agrees that a Purchaser may from time to time pledge
pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer
or
grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial
institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the
Securities Act and who agrees to be bound by the provisions of this
-20-
Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement and, if required under the terms of
such
arrangement, such Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to
the
pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject
to
approval of the Company and no legal opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee,
secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further,
no
notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Purchaser’s expense,
the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee
or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with
a
pledge or transfer of the Securities, including, if the Securities are subject
to registration pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the preparation
and filing of any required prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b)(3) under
the
Securities Act or other applicable provision of the Securities Act to
appropriately amend the list of Selling Stockholders thereunder.
(c) Certificates
evidencing the Underlying Shares shall not contain any legend (including
the
legend set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof): (i) while a registration statement
(including the Registration Statement) covering the resale of such security
is
effective under the Securities Act, or (ii) following any sale of such
Underlying Shares pursuant to Rule 144, or (iii) if such Underlying Shares
are
eligible for sale under Rule 144(k), or (iv) if such legend is not required
under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial
interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission).
The
Company shall cause its counsel to issue a legal opinion to the Company’s
transfer agent promptly after the Effective Date if required by the Company’s
transfer agent to effect the removal of the legend hereunder. If all or any
portion of a Debenture or Warrant is converted or exercised (as applicable)
at a
time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale
of
the Underlying Shares, or if such Underlying Shares may be sold under Rule
144(k) or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements
of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations thereof) then such
Underlying Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees
that
following the Effective Date or at such time as such legend is no longer
required under this Section 4.1(c), it will, no later than three Trading
Days
following the delivery by a Purchaser to the Company or the Company’s transfer
agent of a certificate representing Underlying Shares, as applicable, issued
with a restrictive legend (such third Trading Day, the “Legend
Removal Date”),
deliver or cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certificate representing
such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company
may
not make any notation on its records or give instructions to any transfer
agent
of the Company that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this
Section. Certificates for Securities subject to legend removal hereunder
shall
be transmitted by the transfer agent of the Company to the Purchasers by
crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust
Company System.
(d) In
addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to
a Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty,
for
each $1,000 of Underlying Shares (based on the Closing Price of the Common
Stock
on the date such Securities are submitted to the Company’s transfer agent)
delivered for removal of the restrictive legend and subject to Section 4.1(c),
$10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day 5 Trading Days after
such
damages have begun to accrue) for each Trading Day after the Legend Removal
Date
until such certificate is delivered without a legend. Nothing herein shall
limit
such Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Company’s failure to
deliver certificates representing any Securities as required by the Transaction
Documents, and such Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies
available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree
of
specific performance and/or injunctive relief.
-21-
(e) Each
Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, agrees that
the
removal of the restrictive legend from certificates representing Securities
as
set forth in this Section 4.1 is predicated upon the Company’s reliance that the
Purchaser will sell any Securities pursuant to either the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, including any applicable prospectus delivery
requirements, or an exemption therefrom.
(f) Until
the
one year anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company shall not undertake
a
reverse or forward stock split or reclassification of the Common Stock without
the prior written consent of the Purchasers holding a majority in Principal
Amount outstanding of the Debentures.
4.2 Acknowledgment
of Dilution.
The
Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities may result in dilution
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution may be substantial
under certain market conditions. The Company further acknowledges that its
obligations under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation
its
obligation to issue the Underlying Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents,
are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any right of set off,
counterclaim, delay or reduction, regardless of the effect of any such dilution
or any claim the Company may have against any Purchaser and regardless of
the
dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership of the other
stockholders of the Company.
4.3 Furnishing
of Information.
As long
as any Purchaser owns Securities, the Company covenants to timely file (or
obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace
period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof
pursuant to the Exchange Act. As long as any Purchaser owns Securities, if
the
Company is not required to file reports pursuant to the Exchange Act, it
will
prepare and furnish to the Purchasers and make publicly available in accordance
with Rule 144(c) such information as is required for the Purchasers to sell
the
Securities under Rule 144. The Company further covenants that it will take
such
further action as any holder of Securities may reasonably request, all to
the
extent required from time to time to enable such Person to sell such Securities
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by Rule 144.
4.4 Integration.
The
Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise
negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities
Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in
a
manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the
sale
of the Securities to the Purchasers or that would be integrated with the
offer
or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any
Trading Market.
-22-
4.5 Conversion
and Exercise Procedures.
The
form of Notice of Exercise included in the Warrants and the form of Notice
of
Conversion included in the Debentures set
forth
the totality of the procedures required of the Purchasers in order to exercise
the Warrants or convert the Debentures. No additional legal opinion or other
information or instructions shall be required of the Purchasers to exercise
their Warrants or convert their Debentures. The Company shall honor exercises
of
the Warrants and conversions of the Debentures and shall deliver Underlying
Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth
in
the Transaction Documents.
4.6 Securities
Laws Disclosure; Publicity.
The
Company shall, by 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on the Trading Day following the
date
hereof, issue a Current Report on Form 8-K, reasonably acceptable to each
Purchaser disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated
hereby,
and shall attach the Transaction Documents thereto. The Company and each
Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases
with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company
nor any
Purchaser shall issue any such press release or otherwise make any such public
statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press
release of any Purchaser, or without the prior consent of each Purchaser,
with
respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not
unreasonably be withheld, except if such disclosure is required by law, in
which
case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior
notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include
the name of any Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory
agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser,
except (i) as required by federal securities law in connection with the
registration statement contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement
and
(ii) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market
regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchasers with
prior
notice of such disclosure permitted under subclause (i) or (ii).
4.7 Shareholder
Rights Plan.
No
claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, to the knowledge of the
Company, any other Person that any Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any
shareholder rights plan or similar plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter
adopted by the Company, or that any Purchaser could be deemed to trigger
the
provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities
under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the
Company
and the Purchasers. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so
that
it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act.
4.8 Non-Public
Information.
The
Company covenants and agrees that neither it nor any other Person acting
on its
behalf will provide any Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information
that the Company believes constitutes material non-public information, unless
prior thereto such Purchaser shall have executed a written agreement regarding
the confidentiality and use of such information. The Company understands
and
confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing representations
in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
-23-
4.9 Use
of
Proceeds.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.9
attached
hereto, the Company shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities
hereunder for working capital purposes and not for the satisfaction of any
portion of the Company’s debt (other than payment of trade payables in the
ordinary course of the Company’s business and prior practices), to redeem any
Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or to settle any outstanding
litigation.
4.10 Reimbursement.
If any
Purchaser becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding by or against
any
Person who is a stockholder of the Company (except as a result of sales,
pledges, margin sales and similar transactions by such Purchaser to or with
any
current stockholder), solely as a result of such Purchaser’s acquisition of the
Securities under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse such Purchaser
for
its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation
preparation and travel in connection therewith) incurred in connection
therewith, as such expenses are incurred. The reimbursement obligations of
the
Company under this paragraph shall be in addition to any liability which
the
Company may otherwise have, shall extend upon the same terms and conditions
to
any Affiliates of the Purchasers who are actually named in such action,
proceeding or investigation, and partners, directors, agents, employees and
controlling persons (if any), as the case may be, of the Purchasers and any
such
Affiliate, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors,
assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Company, the Purchasers
and
any such Affiliate and any such Person. The Company also agrees that neither
the
Purchasers nor any such Affiliates, partners, directors, agents, employees
or
controlling persons shall have any liability to the Company or any Person
asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company solely as a result
of
acquiring the Securities under this Agreement.
4.11 Indemnification
of Purchasers.
Subject
to the provisions of this Section 4.11, the Company will indemnify and hold
the
Purchasers and their directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners,
employees and agents (each, a “Purchaser
Party”)
harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims,
contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts
paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of
investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result
of
or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other
Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against a Purchaser, or
any
of them or their respective Affiliates, by any stockholder of the Company
who is
not an Affiliate of such Purchaser, with respect to any of the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is based upon
a
breach of such Purchaser’s representations, warranties or covenants under the
Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser
may
have with any such stockholder or any violations by the Purchaser of state
or
federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser which constitutes
fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). If any action
shall
be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may
be
sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify
the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the
defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing. Any Purchaser Party shall
have
the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in
the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment
thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii)
the
Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense
and
to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion
of
such separate counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between
the
position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party. The Company
will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (i) for any
settlement by a Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (ii) to
the
extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is
attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Purchasers in this Agreement
or
in the other Transaction Documents.
-24-
4.12 Reservation
and Listing of Securities.
(a) The
Company shall maintain a reserve from its duly authorized shares of Common
Stock
for issuance pursuant to the Transaction Documents in such amount as may
be
required to fulfill its obligations in full under the Transaction
Documents.
(b) If,
on
any date, the number of authorized but unissued (and otherwise unreserved)
shares of Common Stock is less than the Required Minimum on such date, then
the
Board of Directors of the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to
amend the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation to increase the
number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to at least the
Required Minimum at such time, as soon as possible and in any event not later
than the 75th day after such date.
(c) The
Company shall, if applicable: (i) in the time and manner required by the
Trading
Market, prepare and file with such Trading Market an additional shares listing
application covering a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to
the
Required Minimum on the date of such application, (ii) take all steps necessary
to cause such shares of Common Stock to be approved for listing on the Trading
Market as soon as possible thereafter, (iii) provide to the Purchasers evidence
of such listing, and (iv) maintain the listing of such Common Stock on any
date
at least equal to the Required Minimum on such date on such Trading Market
or
another Trading Market.
4.13 Participation
in Future Financing.
(a) From
the
date hereof until the date that is the 12 month anniversary of the Effective
Date, upon any financing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common
Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (a “Subsequent
Financing”),
such
Purchaser shall have the right to participate in the Subsequent Financing
in an
amount equal to up to 100% of the Subsequent Financing (the “Participation
Maximum”).
(b) At
least
5 Trading Days prior to the closing of the Subsequent Financing, the Company
shall deliver to each Purchaser a written notice of its intention to effect
a
Subsequent Financing (“Pre-Notice”),
which
Pre-Notice shall ask such Purchaser if it wants to review the details of
such
financing (such additional notice, a “Subsequent
Financing Notice”).
Upon
the request of a Purchaser, and only upon a request by such Purchaser, for
a
Subsequent Financing Notice, the Company shall promptly, but no later than
1
Trading Day after such request, deliver a Subsequent Financing Notice to
such
Purchaser. The Subsequent Financing Notice shall describe in reasonable detail
the proposed terms of such Subsequent Financing, the amount of proceeds intended
to be raised thereunder, the Person with whom such Subsequent Financing is
proposed to be effected, and attached to which shall be a term sheet or similar
document relating thereto.
-25-
(c) Any
Purchaser desiring to participate in such Subsequent Financing must provide
written notice to the Company by not later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City
time)
on the 5th
Trading
Day after all of the Purchasers have received the Pre-Notice that the Purchaser
is willing to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the amount of the
Purchaser’s participation, and that the Purchaser has such funds ready, willing
and available for investment on the terms set forth in the Subsequent Financing
Notice. If the Company receives no notice from a Purchaser as of such
5th
Trading
Day, such Purchaser shall be deemed to have notified the Company that it
does
not elect to participate.
(d) If
by
5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the 5th
Trading
Day after all of the Purchasers have received the Pre-Notice, notifications
by
the Purchasers of their willingness to participate in the Subsequent Financing
(or to cause their designees to participate) is, in the aggregate, less than
the
total amount of the Subsequent Financing, then the Company may effect the
remaining portion of such Subsequent Financing on the terms and to the Persons
set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice.
(e) If
by
5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the 5th
Trading
Day after all of the Purchasers have received the Pre-Notice, the Company
receives responses to a Subsequent Financing Notice from Purchasers seeking
to
purchase more than the aggregate amount of the Participation Maximum, each
such
Purchaser shall have the right to purchase the greater of (a) their Pro Rata
Portion (as defined below) of the Participation Maximum and (b) the difference
between the Participation Maximum and the aggregate amount of participation
by
all other Purchasers. “Pro
Rata Portion”
is the
ratio of (x) the Subscription Amount of Securities purchased on the Closing
Date
by a Purchaser participating under this Section 4.13 and (y) the sum of the
aggregate Subscription Amounts of Securities purchased on the Closing Date
by
all Purchasers participating under this Section 4.13.
(f) The
Company must provide the Purchasers with a second Subsequent Financing Notice,
and the Purchasers will again have the right of participation set forth above
in
this Section 4.13, if the Subsequent Financing subject to the initial Subsequent
Financing Notice is not consummated for any reason on the terms set forth
in
such Subsequent Financing Notice within 60 Trading Days after the date of
the
initial Subsequent Financing Notice.
(g) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section 4.13 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt
Issuance.
4.14 Subsequent
Equity Sales.
(a) From
the
date hereof until 90 days after the Effective Date, neither the Company nor
any
Subsidiary shall issue shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents;
provided,
however,
the 90
day period set forth in this Section 4.14 shall be extended for the number
of
Trading Days during such period in which (i) trading in the Common Stock
is
suspended by any Trading Market, or (ii) following the Effective Date, the
Registration Statement is not effective or the prospectus included in the
Registration Statement may not be used by the Purchasers for the resale of
the
Underlying Shares.
-26-
(b) From
the
date hereof until such time as no Purchaser holds any of the Debentures,
the
Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement
to
effect any Subsequent Financing involving a “Variable Rate Transaction”. The
term “Variable
Rate Transaction”
shall
mean a transaction in which the Company issues or sells (i) any debt or equity
securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or
include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock either (A)
at a
conversion, exercise or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or
varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common
Stock
at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities,
or (B)
with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset
at
some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security
or
upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly
related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock
or
(ii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity
line of
credit, whereby the Company may sell securities at a future determined price.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section 4.14 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt
Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt
Issuance.
4.15 Equal
Treatment of Purchasers.
No
consideration shall be offered or paid to any person to amend or consent
to a
waiver or modification of any provision of any of the Transaction Documents
unless the same consideration is also offered to all of the parties to the
Transaction Documents. Further, the Company shall not make any payment of
principal on the Debentures in amounts which are disproportionate to the
respective Principal Amounts outstanding on the Debentures at any applicable
time. For clarification purposes, this provision constitutes a separate right
granted to each Purchaser by the Company and negotiated separately by each
Purchaser, and is intended for the Company to treat the Purchasers as a class
and shall not in any way be construed as the Purchasers acting in concert
or as
a group with respect to the purchase, disposition or voting of Securities
or
otherwise.
4.16 Short
Sales and Confidentiality After The Date Hereof.
Each
Purchaser severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers covenants that
neither it nor any affiliates acting on its behalf or pursuant to any
understanding with it will execute any Short Sales during the period after
the
Discussion Time and ending at the time that the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement are first publicly announced as described in Section 4.6.
Each
Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants
that
until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly
disclosed by the Company as described in Section 4.6, such Purchaser will
maintain, the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection
with
this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction).
Each
Purchaser understands and acknowledges, severally and not jointly with any
other
Purchaser, that the Commission currently takes the position that coverage
of
short sales of shares of the Common Stock “against the box” prior to the
Effective Date of the Registration Statement with the Securities is a violation
of Section 5 of the Securities Act, as set forth in Item 65, Section 5 under
Section A, of the Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations,
dated
July 1997, compiled by the Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Corporation
Finance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Purchaser makes any representation,
warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in Short Sales in
the
securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement are first publicly announced as described in Section 4.6.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a
multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage
separate portions of such Purchaser's assets and the portfolio managers have
no
direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers
managing other portions of such Purchaser's assets, the covenant set forth
above
shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio
manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered
by
this Agreement.
-27-
ARTICLE
V.
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated by any Purchaser, as to such Purchaser’s
obligations hereunder only and without any effect whatsoever on the obligations
between the Company and the other Purchasers, by written notice to the other
parties, if the Closing has not been consummated on or before June ___, 2005;
provided,
however,
that no
such termination will affect the right of any party to xxx for any breach
by the
other party (or parties).
5.2 Fees
and Expenses.
Except
as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each
party
shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and
other
experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to
the
negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
The Company shall pay all transfer agent fees, stamp taxes and other taxes
and
duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities.
5.3 Entire
Agreement.
The
Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto,
contain
the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written,
with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged
into such documents, exhibits and schedules.
5.4 Notices.
Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to
be
provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective
on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature
pages attached hereto prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading
Day,
(b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or
communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth
on
the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or
later
than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the 2nd
Trading
Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized
overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom
such
notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications
shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.
5.5 Amendments;
Waivers.
No
provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended except in a written
instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and each
Purchaser or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement
of
any such waiver is sought. No waiver of any default with respect to any
provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to
be a
continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or
a
waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall
any
delay or omission of either party to exercise any right hereunder in any
manner
impair the exercise of any such right.
5.6 Headings.
The
headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this
Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions
hereof. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language
chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict
construction will be applied against any party.
5.7 Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of each Purchaser. Any Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights
under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Purchaser assigns or transfers
any Securities, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with
respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions hereof that apply
to
the “Purchasers”.
5.8 No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any
provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set
forth
in Section 4.11.
-28-
5.9 Governing
Law.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard
to
the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal
proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents
(whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors,
officers, shareholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively
in
the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party
hereby
irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal
courts sitting in the City of New York, borough of Manhattan for the
adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any
transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect
to
the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably
waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim
that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court,
that
such suit, action or proceeding is improper or inconvenient venue for such
proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process
and
consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by
mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery
(with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices
to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute
good
and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein
shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner
permitted by law. The parties hereby waive all rights to a trial by jury.
If
either party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions
of
the Transaction Documents, then the prevailing party in such action or
proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its attorneys’ fees and
other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and
prosecution of such action or proceeding.
5.10 Survival.
The
representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing
and
the delivery, exercise and/or conversion of the Securities, as applicable
for
the applicable statue of limitations.
5.11 Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when
taken
together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered
to the
other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same
counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation
of the
party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the
same
force and effect as if such facsimile signature page were an original
thereof.
5.12 Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity and enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions
of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and
the
parties will attempt to agree upon a valid and enforceable provision that
is a
reasonable substitute therefor, and upon so agreeing, shall incorporate such
substitute provision in this Agreement.
5.13 Rescission
and Withdrawal Right.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting
any
similar provisions of) the Transaction Documents, whenever any Purchaser
exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document
and
the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods
therein provided, then such Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole
discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant
notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future
actions and rights; provided,
however,
in the
case of a rescission of a conversion of a Debenture or exercise of a Warrant,
the Purchaser shall be required to return any shares of Common Stock subject
to
any such rescinded conversion or exercise notice.
5.14 Replacement
of Securities.
If any
certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen
or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and
substitution for and upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and substitution
therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction
and
customary and reasonable indemnity, if requested. The applicants for a new
certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable
third-party costs associated with the issuance of such replacement
Securities.
-29-
5.15 Remedies.
In
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted
by
law, including recovery of damages, each of the Purchasers and the Company
will
be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The
parties
agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of any breach of obligations described in the foregoing
sentence and hereby agrees to waive in any action for specific performance
of
any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
5.16 Payment
Set Aside.
To the
extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Purchaser pursuant
to
any Transaction Document or a Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights
thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement
or
exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are
required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee,
receiver or any other person under any law (including, without limitation,
any
bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action),
then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof
originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full
force
and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff
had not occurred.
5.17 Usury.
To the
extent it may lawfully do so, the Company hereby agrees not to insist upon
or
plead or in any manner whatsoever claim, and will resist any and all efforts
to
be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, usury laws wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, in connection with any claim, action
or
proceeding that may be brought by any Purchaser in order to enforce any right
or
remedy under any Transaction Document. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary contained in any Transaction Document, it is expressly agreed and
provided that the total liability of the Company under the Transaction Documents
for payments in the nature of interest shall not exceed the maximum lawful
rate
authorized under applicable law (the “Maximum
Rate”),
and,
without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any rate of interest or
default interest, or both of them, when aggregated with any other sums in
the
nature of interest that the Company may be obligated to pay under the
Transaction Documents exceed such Maximum Rate. It is agreed that if the
maximum
contract rate of interest allowed by law and applicable to the Transaction
Documents is increased or decreased by statute or any official governmental
action subsequent to the date hereof, the new maximum contract rate of interest
allowed by law will be the Maximum Rate applicable to the Transaction Documents
from the effective date forward, unless such application is precluded by
applicable law. If under any circumstances whatsoever, interest in excess
of the
Maximum Rate is paid by the Company to any Purchaser with respect to
indebtedness evidenced by the Transaction Documents, such excess shall be
applied by such Purchaser to the unpaid principal balance of any such
indebtedness or be refunded to the Company, the manner of handling such excess
to be at such Purchaser’s election.
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5.18 Independent
Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights.
The
obligations of each Purchaser under any Transaction Document are several
and not
joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall
be
responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other
Purchaser under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in
any
Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant thereto,
shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association,
a
joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the
Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to
such
obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
Each
Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights,
including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement or
out of
the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other
Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such
purpose. Each Purchaser has been represented by its own separate legal counsel
in their review and negotiation of the Transaction Documents. For reasons
of
administrative convenience only, Purchasers and their respective counsel
have
chosen to communicate with the Company through FW. FW does not represent
all of
the Purchasers but only HPC Capital Management (“HPC”).
The
Company has elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and
Transaction Documents for the convenience of the Company and not because
it was
required or requested to do so by the Purchasers.
5.19 Liquidated
Damages.
The
Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts
owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company
and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other
amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security
pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due
and
payable shall have been canceled.
5.20 Construction.
The
parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel has reviewed
and
had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the
normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be
resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation
of the Transaction Documents or any amendments hereto.
(Signature
Pages Follow)
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories
as of
the date first indicated above.
|
|
Address
for Notice:
|
|
By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:
|
|
|
With
a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
|
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
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[PURCHASER
SIGNATURE PAGES TO FLWE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement
to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the
date
first indicated above.
Name
of
Purchaser: ________________________________________________________
Signature
of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser:
__________________________________
Name
of
Authorized Signatory:
____________________________________________________
Title
of
Authorized Signatory:
_____________________________________________________
Email
Address of
Purchaser:________________________________________________
Address
for Notice of Purchaser:
Address
for Delivery of Securities for Purchaser (if not same as above):
Subscription
Amount:
Principal
Amount: (1.429
multiplied by the Subscription Amount)
Warrant
Shares:
EIN
Number: [PROVIDE
THIS UNDER SEPARATE COVER]
[SIGNATURE
PAGES CONTINUE]
-33-
