Exhibit 10.21
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of July 17, 1998, between International Home
Security Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation ("Seller ")
the sole stockholder of Integrated International Home Security Limited, a
British Virgin Islands corporation (the "Company"), and Home Security
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser").
R E C I T A L S
A. Seller owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock ("Shares")
of the Company. The Company is the holder of 781,666 shares of capital stock
(each a "Ness Share") of Ness Security Products Pty Ltd., an entity incorporated
under the laws of Australia ("Ness").
B. Purchaser desires to purchase all the outstanding Shares from Seller
and Seller desires to sell such Shares to Purchaser, on the terms and subject to
the conditions contained herein.
A G R E E M E N T S
Therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Purchase and Sale of Shares; Closing and Manner of Payment
1.1 Agreement to Purchase and Sell Shares. On the terms and subject to the
conditions contained in this Agreement, Purchaser shall purchase from Seller,
and Seller shall sell to Purchaser, all of the outstanding Shares, free and
clear of all options, proxies, voting trusts, voting agreements, judgments,
pledges, charges, escrows, rights of first refusal or first offer, mortgages,
indentures, claims, transfer restrictions, liens, equities, encumbrances,
security interests and other encumbrances of every kind and nature whatsoever,
whether arising by agreement, operation of law or otherwise (collectively,
"Claims").
1.2 Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price of the Shares shall be
equal to twenty five million four hundred thousand Australian Dollars (Aus.
$25,400,000) (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price shall be equal to the
sum of (i) eleven million one hundred eighty two thousand dollars (U.S.
$11,182,000) payable at the Closing (the "Cash Portion"); (ii) 400,000 shares of
common stock ("HSI Common Stock"), U.S. $.001 par value per share of the
Purchaser, to be issued to Seller at the Closing, including any legends
restricting the transfer of such shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Share
Portion"); and (iii) a warrant to purchase 360,000 shares of HSI Common Stock
(the "Warrant") substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with
such changes thereto as may be agreed to by Seller and Purchaser. The shares to
be issued to Seller to satisfy the Share Portion, and the shares underlying the
Warrant have not been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, therefore,
can not be resold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or unless
an exemption from registration is available.
1.3 Manner of Payment of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be paid
or satisfied at the Closing (as herein defined) as follows: (i) the Cash Portion
shall be paid by Purchaser's delivery of (A) one hundred twenty six thousand
dollars (U.S. $126,000) ("Deposit") which shall be delivered by Purchaser to
Seller contemporaneous with the signing of this Agreement and shall be credited
against the Purchase Price; and (B) eleven million fifty six thousand dollars
(U.S. $11,056,000) by wire transfer of immediately available funds per the wire
transfer instructions attached hereto as Exhibit B; (ii) the Share Portion shall
be paid by Purchaser's delivery of a certificate representing 400,000 shares of
HSI Common Stock to the escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), as identified in the
escrow agreement (the "Escrow Agreement") substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit C, with such changes thereto as may be agreed to by the
parties hereto, to be held and distributed by the Escrow Agent in accordance
with the terms of the Escrow Agreement; and (iii) Purchaser's delivery of the
Warrant. In the event that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
not consummated and there is no Closing, the Seller shall be entitled to keep
the Deposit.
1.4 Appointment to Board of Directors. Subject to the approval of the Board
of Directors of Purchaser, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed,
Purchaser will cause Xxxx Xxxxx or his nominee to be elected to the Board of
Directors of Purchaser, on the Closing Date, or as soon as practicable
thereafter. Purchaser agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause
Xxxx Xxxxx or his nominee to be re-elected to the Board of Directors of
Purchaser until the earlier to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Closing
Date or (ii) the date on which Xxxx Xxxxx ceases to beneficially own (determined
in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, (the "Exchange Act")) a number of shares (including shares underlying
the Warrant) equal to at least five percent (5.0%) of the outstanding HSI Common
Stock.
1.5 Closing Deliveries. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser
(i) certificates evidencing the Shares (together with all rights then or
thereafter attaching thereto) duly endorsed in blank, or accompanied by valid
stock powers duly executed in blank, in proper form for transfer; and (ii)
certificates evidencing the Ness Shares. The parties shall also deliver such
other documents (including incumbency certificates, good standing certificates,
lien searches, corporate resolutions and resignations) as are reasonably
required under Australian, British Virgin Islands, U.S. laws, or the laws of any
other relevant jurisdiction, in order to effectuate the consummation of the
transaction contemplated hereby. Additionally, each party shall deliver all
documents referenced on the closing checklist (the "Closing Checklist"),
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, with such changes
thereto as may be reasonably agreed to by the parties hereto, to the other
party; and Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the Purchase Price in the manner
described in Section 1.3 above. All documents to be delivered by a party shall
be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other party.
1.6 Time and Place of Closing. The transaction contemplated by this
Agreement shall be consummated (the "Closing") at the offices of X'Xxxxxx &
Xxxxxx, 00 X. XxXxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 00000, as soon as
practicable after the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 (f) are satisfied
(assuming all other conditions set forth in Article IV are met), or on such
later date that the conditions of Closing set forth in Article IV hereof are
satisfied or waived (subject to Section 7.1 (b)), or on such other date, or at
such other place, as shall be agreed upon by Seller and Purchaser. The date on
which the Closing shall occur in accordance with the preceding sentence is
referred to in this Agreement as the "Closing Date". The Closing shall be deemed
to be effective as of 12:01 a.m., prevailing time at the place of Closing on the
Closing Date.
ARTICLE II
Representations and Warranties
2.1 Representations and Warranties of Purchaser. Purchaser represents and
warrants to Seller as follows:
(a) Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good
standing, under the laws of the state of Delaware.
(b) Purchaser has full corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform this Agreement. The execution and delivery by Purchaser of this
Agreement and the performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder have
been duly authorized and approved by all requisite corporate action. The
approval of its shareholders is not required in order to execute this Agreement,
or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of Purchaser.
(c) No consent, authorization, order or approval of, or filing or
registration with, any governmental commission, board or other regulatory body
of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof is required
for or in connection with the consummation by Purchaser of the transaction
contemplated hereby.
(d) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Purchaser, nor
the consummation by Purchaser of the transaction contemplated hereby, will
conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of its Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws, or of any statute or
administrative regulation, or of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree
of any court or governmental authority or of any arbitration award.
(e) Purchaser is not a party to any unexpired, undischarged or unsatisfied
written or oral contract, agreement, indenture, mortgage, debenture, note or
other instrument under the terms of which performance by Purchaser according to
the terms of this Agreement will be a
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default or an event of acceleration, or grounds for termination, or whereby
timely performance by Purchaser according to the terms of this Agreement may be
prohibited, prevented or delayed.
(f) The authorized capital stock of Purchaser consists of (i) 20,000,000
shares of HSI Common Stock, of which 5,150,500 are issued and outstanding, as of
the date hereof; and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value
per share, of which none are issued and outstanding, as of the date hereof.
There are no shares of capital stock of Purchaser of any other class authorized,
issued or outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of HSI Common
Stock have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable.
(g) The issuance and delivery of the Share Portion and the Warrant have
been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action. The Share
Portion and the shares to be issued in connection with the exercise of the
Warrant, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the
Warrant, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable. Purchaser has reserved and will continue to reserve until the
Warrant is exercised or expires in accordance with its terms, the number of
shares of HSI Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant.
(h) Purchaser has provided Seller with the opportunity to review each
registration statement, report, proxy statement or information statement (as
defined in Regulation 14C under the Exchange Act) filed by Purchaser with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") since its initial public offering
in July 1997, which reports constitute all of the documents required to be filed
by Purchaser with the SEC since such date, each in the form (including exhibits
and any amendments thereto) filed with the SEC (collectively, the "HSI
Reports"). As of their respective dates, the HSI Reports (a) complied as to form
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder; and (b) did not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(i) Purchaser has provided Seller with the opportunity to review the
registration statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") prepared by
Purchaser in connection with this transaction. Such Registration Statement (a)
complies as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; and (b) as of the
date on which it is filed with the SEC and as of the date it is declared
effective by the SEC will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements made therein not misleading.
(j) The audited consolidated financial statements of Purchaser included in
its annual report on Form 10-K and the unaudited statements of Purchaser
included in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q referred to in Section 2.2(h),
present fairly, in conformity with United
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States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent
basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated
financial position of Purchaser as of the dates thereof and its consolidated
results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject to
normal year end adjustments in the case of any interim financial statements).
2.2 Representations and Warranties of Seller. Seller represents and
warrants to Purchaser that, except as set forth in the schedule to be delivered
by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof and identified as the
"Disclosure Schedule":
(a) (i) (A) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands; and (B) Ness
and each of its subsidiaries are corporations duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdiction of
organization. (ii) Each of the Company and Ness has full corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as such business is now being conducted.
(iii) Except for the Foreign Investment Review Board approval, no consent,
authorization, order or approval of, or filing or registration with, any
governmental commission, board or other regulatory body of Australia or the
British Virgin Islands or any state or political subdivision thereof is required
for or in connection with the consummation by Seller of the transaction
contemplated hereby. (iv) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Seller, nor the consummation by Seller of the transaction contemplated
hereby, will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions
or provisions of the Company's or Ness' respective Memorandum and Articles of
Association or by-laws, or of any statute or administrative regulation, or of
any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental
authority or of any arbitration award to which Ness, the Company or Seller is a
party or by which Ness, the Company or Seller is bound; and (v) True and
complete copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and all amendments
thereto, the by-laws as amended and currently in force, all stock records, and
all corporate minute books and records of each of Ness and the Company, have
been furnished for inspection by Purchaser. Said stock records accurately
reflect all share transactions and the current stock ownership of Ness and the
Company, respectively. The corporate minute books and records of each of Ness
and the Company contain true and complete copies of all resolutions adopted by
the stockholders or the board of directors of the respective entity and any
other action formally taken by them respectively as such.
(b) Seller is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement by it and the performance by it of all of its obligations
under this Agreement have been duly approved prior to the date of this Agreement
by all requisite action of its board of directors. The approval of its
shareholders, for it to execute this Agreement or consummate the transaction
contemplated hereby has been duly given. This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by it. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Seller, nor the consummation by it of the transaction contemplated hereby, will
conflict with or constitute a breach of any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of its Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational
documents.
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(c) The authorized capital stock of (i) the Company consists of a single
class of ordinary shares of common stock, U.S. $1.00 par value, of which 52,557
Shares are issued and outstanding; and (ii) Ness consists of a single class of
ordinary shares of common stock, Australian $1.00 par value, of which 1,041,666
Ness Shares are issued and outstanding. There are no shares of capital stock of
the Company or Ness of any other class authorized, issued or outstanding. All of
the issued and outstanding Shares and Ness Shares have been validly issued, are
fully paid and nonassessable, and are owned beneficially and of record by Seller
or the Company, respectively. Seller has good and valid title to, and ownership
of all 52,557 outstanding Shares, and the Company has good and valid title to,
and ownership of 781,666 Ness Shares, in each case free and clear of all Claims.
There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights (including
preemptive rights), calls, convertible securities or other agreements or
commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or
other securities of the Company or Ness obligating the Company or Ness to issue
any securities of any kind.
(d) The Company has maintained its books, accounts and records in its
usual, regular and ordinary manner, in accordance with GAAP, and all
transactions to which the Company is or has been a party are properly reflected
therein.
(e) Purchaser has been previously provided complete and accurate copies of
the audited consolidated balance sheets, statements of income, retained earnings
and cash flows, notes to financial statements (together with any supplementary
information thereto) and any underlying financial statements of the
aforementioned, including financial statements for the corresponding periods of
Ness, prepared by Deloitte & Touche, of the Company as of and for the years
ended June 30, 1996, June 30, 1997 and June 30, 1998. The financial statements
described in the preceding sentence are hereinafter referred to as the
"Financial Statements". The Financial Statements present accurately and
completely the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the
results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods covered by
said statements, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
(f) Each of Ness and the Company has no obligation or liability of any
nature whatsoever (direct or indirect, matured or unmatured, absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise), whether or not required by GAAP to be provided or
reserved against on a balance sheet (all the foregoing herein collectively being
referred to as the "Liabilities") except for: (i) Liabilities provided for or
reserved against in the Financial Statements; (ii) Liabilities which have been
incurred by the Company or Ness, respectively, subsequent to June 30, 1998, in
the ordinary course of each of Ness' and the Company's respective business and
consistent with each of their respective past practices; and (iii) Liabilities
under the executory portion of any written purchase order, sales order, lease,
agreement or commitment of any kind by which Ness or the Company is bound and
which was entered into in the ordinary course of Ness' or the Company's
respective business and consistent with each of their respective past practices;
(iv) Liabilities under any material contract, lease, or agreement, oral or
written, which if written was previously provided to Purchaser, and if oral a
written description was previously provided to Purchaser; and (v) Liabilities
due to environmental issues affecting any property or other asset of the Company
or
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Ness, or use of the property or any other asset of the Company or Ness
previously disclosed to Purchaser. None of the Liabilities described in
subparagraphs (i) through (v) of this paragraph (e) relates to or has arisen out
of a breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort or infringement by or against
Ness or the Company, as the case may be, or any claim or lawsuit involving Ness
or the Company, as the case may be.
(g) (i) All contracts, leases and other instruments previously provided to
Purchaser, and all other contracts or instruments to which Ness or the Company
is a party, are in full force and binding upon the parties thereto. No default
by Ness or the Company has occurred thereunder and, to the best of Seller's
knowledge, no default by the other contracting parties has occurred thereunder.
No event, occurrence or condition exists which, with the lapse of time, the
giving of notice, or both, or the happening of any further event or condition,
would become a default by Ness or the Company thereunder. (ii) Neither the
Company nor Seller is a party to, or bound by, any unexpired, undischarged or
unsatisfied written or oral contract, agreement, indenture, mortgage, debenture,
note or other instrument under the terms of which performance by Seller
according to the terms or conditions of this Agreement will be a default or an
event of acceleration, or grounds for termination, or whereby timely performance
by Seller of this Agreement may be prohibited, prevented or delayed.
(h) Each of Ness and the Company has good and marketable title to its
assets, free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances and security
interests, except for liens for non-delinquent taxes. No unreleased mortgage,
trust deed, chattel mortgage, security agreement, financing statement or other
instrument encumbering any of Ness' or the Company's assets has been recorded,
filed, executed or delivered. All of the Company's assets are listed on Exhibit
E, attached hereto.
(i) Since June 30, 1998, the information included in the Financial
Statements has not been altered by: (i) the performance of any of the enumerated
actions in Section 3.1(d) of this Agreement; (ii) any casualty, damage,
destruction or loss, or interruption in use, of any asset or property (whether
or not covered by insurance), on account of fire, flood, riot, strike or other
hazard or Act of God; and (iii) without limitation by the enumeration of any of
the foregoing, the entrance into any transaction other than in the usual and
ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices (the foregoing
representation and warranty shall not be deemed to be breached by virtue of the
entry by Seller into this Agreement or its consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby).
(j) Neither the Company, nor to the best of Seller's knowledge, Ness, has
suffered or been threatened with any material adverse change in the business,
operations, assets, liabilities, financial condition or prospects of Ness,
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the existence or
threat of a labor dispute, or any material adverse change in, or loss of, any
relationship between Ness and any of its customers, suppliers or key employees.
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(k) (i) There is no litigation or proceeding, in law or in equity, and
there are no proceedings or governmental investigations before any commission or
other administrative authority, pending or to the best of Seller's knowledge
threatened against the Company, and (ii) to the best of Seller's knowledge,
there is no litigation or proceeding, in law or in equity, and there are no
proceedings or governmental investigations before any commission or other
administrative authority, pending or threatened against Ness or any of Ness' or
the Company's officers, directors or Affiliates, with respect to or affecting
Ness' or the Company's operations, business, products, sales practices or
financial condition, or related to the consummation of the transaction
contemplated hereby.
(l) Neither the Company, nor to the best of Seller's knowledge Ness, is in
violation of, or delinquent in respect to, any decree, order or arbitration
award or law, statute, or regulation of or agreement with, or permit from, any
governmental authority (or to which the property, assets, personnel or business
activities of the Company or Ness is subject or to which it, itself, is
subject), including, without limitation, laws, statutes and regulations relating
to equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, unfair labor
practices, terms of employment, occupational health and safety, wages and hours,
discrimination, and zoning ordinances and building codes.
(m) All statutory and other licenses, leases, permissions and authorities
required for the proper and lawful carrying on of the business of the Company
and to the best of Seller's knowledge, Ness, have been duly obtained and are
valid and subsisting and have not been breached;
(n) (i) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings: (A) the term "Taxes" means all net income, gross income,
gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license,
lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs,
duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatever,
together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional
amounts with respect thereto; and (B) the term "Returns" means all returns,
declarations, reports, statements and other documents required to be filed in
respect of Taxes, and the term "Return" means any one of the foregoing Returns.
(ii) There have been properly completed and filed on a timely basis and in
correct form all Returns required to be filed by the Company. The Company has
timely paid all Taxes and filed all Returns and correctly reflected the facts
regarding the income, business, assets, operations, activities, status or other
matters of the Company, or any other information required to be shown thereon.
All tax deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of any
examinations have been fully paid, or are fully reflected as a liability in the
Financial Statements, or are being contested and an adequate reserve therefor
has been established and is fully reflected as a liability in the Financial
Statements.
(o) Seller has disclosed to Purchaser a true and correct list showing: (i)
the name of each bank, safe deposit company or other financial institution in
which the Company has an
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account, lock box or safe deposit box; (ii) the names of all persons authorized
to draw thereon or to have access thereto and the names of all persons and
entities, if any, holding powers of attorney from the Company; and (iii) all
instruments or agreements to which the Company is a party as an endorser, surety
or guarantor, other than checks endorsed for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business.
(p) Purchaser has been previously provided with a list and description of
all benefits pursuant to any employment agreement, employee pension benefit
plan, including, without limitation, employee welfare benefit plans, bonus,
deferred compensation, stock purchase, stock option, superannuation funds,
severance plan, salary continuation, vacation, sick leave, fringe benefit,
incentive, insurance, welfare or similar plans or arrangements which the Company
maintains, administers or contributes to.
(q) Seller certifies that neither it, nor any of its directors, officers,
employees, or agents is an official, agent, or employee of any government or
governmental agency or political party or a candidate for any political office
on the date hereof. Seller has not, directly or indirectly, in the name of, on
behalf of, or for the benefit of Purchaser offered, promised or authorized to
pay, or paid any compensation, or gave anything of value to, any official,
agent, or employee of any government or governmental agency, or to any political
party or officer, employee, or agent thereof.
(r) The representations and warranties of Seller or Seller's designee in
this Agreement and any schedule or exhibit attached hereto do not, and the
representations and warranties to be made in the Disclosure Schedule will not,
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the representations,
warranties or statements contained herein or therein not misleading.
(s) The copies of all documents furnished by Seller, any designee of Seller
or the Company to Purchaser pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement are
true, correct, complete and accurate.
(t) As used in this Agreement, "Seller's knowledge" and words of similar
import shall mean the actual knowledge of Xxxx Xxxxx, the sole director of
Seller after due inquiry, which for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean the
same inquiry that a reasonable person who is a beneficial owner of the entire
equity interest in the Company and the beneficial owner of 75.04% of the
outstanding capital stock of Ness would make under these circumstances.
ARTICLE III
Conduct Prior to the Closing
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3.1 General. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date:
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(a) Seller shall and shall cause the Company and Ness to give to
Purchaser's officers, employees, agents, attorneys, consultants, accountants and
lenders reasonable access during normal business hours to all of the properties,
books, contracts, documents, records and personnel of the Company and shall
furnish to Purchaser and such persons as Purchaser shall designate to Seller
such information as Purchaser or such persons may at any time and from time to
time reasonably request. Purchaser agrees not to disclose any such information
to any third party other than as set forth below; and to take all reasonable
steps as may be necessary to protect as confidential any such information. The
obligations imposed upon Purchaser shall not apply to information: (i) which at
the time of disclosure is in the public domain or to which Purchaser has prior
knowledge (which was not improperly disclosed to Purchaser); (ii) which is made
available to the general public other than as a result of a disclosure by
Purchaser; (iii) which is disclosed pursuant to a valid order of a court or
regulatory agency or other governmental body or any political subdivision
thereof; or (iv) which the Seller gives prior written consent for disclosure by
Purchaser.
(b) Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts and make every good
faith attempt (and Purchaser shall cooperate with Seller) to cause the Company
and Ness to (i) obtain all consents specified by Purchaser to the consummation
of the transaction contemplated hereby under or with respect to, any contract,
lease, agreement, purchase order, sales order or other instrument, permit or
environmental permit, where the consummation of the transaction contemplated
hereby would be prohibited or constitute an event of default, or grounds for
acceleration or termination, in the absence of such consent; and (ii) appoint a
designee of Purchaser, on the date hereof or as soon as practicable thereafter,
as an observer to the Board of Directors of Ness, to be given at least two days
prior written notice of every Ness Board of Director meeting, and be allowed to
be present at all portions of all Ness Board of Director meetings.
(c) Seller shall cause the Company and Ness to carry on its business in the
usual and ordinary course, consistent with past practices and shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the each of Ness' and Company's
business and the goodwill of its customers, suppliers and others having business
relations with each of the Company and Ness and to retain the business
organization of each of the Company and Ness intact, including keeping available
the services of its present employees, representatives and agents, and to
maintain all of its properties in good operating condition and repair, ordinary
wear and tear excepted.
(d) Without the prior written consent of Purchaser, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or unduly delayed, and without limiting the generality of
any other provision of this Agreement, Seller shall cause each of the Company
and Ness not to:
(i) amend the applicable Memorandum and Articles of Association;
(ii) make any change to the applicable authorized shares of stock,
or issue any shares of stock of any class or issue or become a party to any
subscriptions, warrants,
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rights, options, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments
of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of Ness
or the Company, or to other equity securities of Ness or the Company, or
grant any stock appreciation or similar rights;
(iii) increase the compensation payable to any employee;
(iv) hire any new employee who shall have, or terminate, other than
for cause, the employment of any employee who has, an annual salary in
excess of $U.S. 50,000 (In the event any employee is terminated for cause,
Seller agrees to give Purchaser written notice upon the termination);
(v) adopt or amend any Employee Benefit Plan;
(vi) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset or property,
except for sales of inventory in the usual and ordinary course of business
and except for cash applied in payment of either Ness' or the Company's, as
the case may be, liabilities in the usual and ordinary course of business;
(vii) incur or commit to incur any capital expenditures in excess
of U.S. $20,000 in the aggregate;
(viii) incur, assume or guarantee any long-term or short-term
indebtedness, other than short term indebtedness incurred in the ordinary
course of business;
(ix) directly or indirectly, enter into or assume any contract,
agreement, obligation, lease, license or commitment other than in the usual
and ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices; and
(x) pay, declare, accrue or set aside any dividends or any other
distributions, in cash, property or otherwise, on its securities of any
class or purchase, exchange or redeem any of its securities of any class.
(e) Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into an
underwriting agreement with L.H. Friend, Weinress, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, Inc.
containing customary terms and conditions, have the SEC declare its S-1
Registration Statement for a public offering of its common stock ("Public
Offering") effective and close such Public Offering.
(f) No party shall intentionally perform any act which, if performed, or
omit to perform any act which, if omitted to be performed, would prevent or
excuse the performance of this Agreement by any party hereto or which would
result in any representation or warranty herein contained of said party being
untrue in any material respect as if originally made on and as of the Closing
Date.
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ARTICLE IV
Conditions to Closing
---------------------
4.1 Conditions to Seller's Obligations. The obligation of Seller to
close the transaction contemplated hereby is subject to the fulfillment of all
of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing Date, upon the non-
fulfillment of any of which, this Agreement may, at Seller's option, be
terminated pursuant to and with the effect set forth in Article VII:
(a) Each and every representation and warranty made by Purchaser shall have
been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct in all material
respects as if originally made on and as of the Closing Date.
(b) All obligations of Purchaser to be performed hereunder through, and
including on, the Closing Date (including, without limitation, all obligations
which Purchaser would be required to perform at the Closing if the transaction
contemplated hereby was consummated) shall have been performed.
(c) No suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or
threatened by any governmental authority or private person on any grounds to
restrain, enjoin or hinder, or to seek material damages on account of, the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
(d) The Foreign Investment Review Board shall have approved the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with Exhibit F
attached hereto.
4.2 Conditions to Purchaser's Obligations. The obligation of Purchaser
to close the transaction contemplated hereby is subject to the fulfillment of
all of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing Date, upon the non-
fulfillment of any of which, this Agreement may, at Purchaser's option, be
terminated pursuant to and with the effect set forth in Article VII:
(a) Purchaser shall have thirty days from the date hereof to complete its
due diligence review of the Company and Ness to its sole satisfaction (the
"Review Period"), which review shall be conducted by officers and other
employees of Purchaser and Purchaser's attorneys, accountants and other
advisors. Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a final Disclosure Schedule not
later than five days prior to the end of the Review Period (the "Delivery
Date"). If the Disclosure Schedule is not delivered by the Delivery Date, the
Review Period shall be extended by a number of days equal to the actual number
of days after the Delivery Date that the Disclosure Schedule is delivered.
(b) Each and every representation and warranty made by Seller shall have
been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct in all material
respects as if originally made on and as of the Closing Date.
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(c) All obligations of Seller to be performed hereunder through, and
including on, the Closing Date (including, without limitation, all obligations
which Seller would be required to perform at the Closing if the transaction
contemplated hereby was consummated) shall have been performed.
(d) All of the consents referred to in Section 3.1(b) shall have been
obtained (without cost to Purchaser or the Company in excess of the normal and
customary cost associated therewith) or, to the extent the permits and
environmental permits held by either the Company or Ness would terminate upon a
change of control of the Company or Ness, as the case may be, Purchaser shall
have either obtained licenses and permits on substantially the same terms as
such permits and environmental permits, or shall have obtained binding
commitments from the applicable governmental authorities to issue such licenses
and permits to the Company or Ness, as the case may be, following the Closing.
(e) No suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or
threatened by any governmental authority or private person on any grounds to
restrain, enjoin or hinder, or to seek material damages on account of, the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
(f) Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser the written opinion of counsel
to Seller, dated as of the Closing Date, in a form reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser and Purchaser's counsel.
(g) The SEC shall have declared an S-1 Registration Statement for a Public
Offering effective, and the closing of such Public Offering shall have occurred,
resulting in net proceeds to the Company in an amount not less than the sum of
the Cash Portion plus U.S. $6,000,000.
(h) The Foreign Investment Review Board shall have approved the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with Exhibit F
attached hereto.
4.3 Casualty. If, prior to the Closing, any material damage to or loss
of any of the assets of or premises occupied by the Company or Ness occurs due
to fire, flood, riot, theft, Act of God or other casualty, which damage or loss
constitutes a material adverse change in the business, operations, assets,
liabilities, financial condition or prospects of the Company or Ness, and if the
parties can not agree on an amount by which to reduce the Purchase Price within
twenty business days from the date of such damage or loss, Purchaser shall, in
its sole discretion, have the right to terminate this Agreement. The adjustments
in accordance with this Section 4.3 are the exclusive adjustments to be made by
reason of such occurrence for the purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
Post-Closing Agreements
-----------------------
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5.1 Post-Closing Agreements. From and after the Closing, the parties
shall have the respective rights and obligations which are set forth in the
remainder of this Article V.
5.2 Disclosure of Confidential Information. As a further inducement for
Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller agrees that for the longest
period permitted by law after the Closing Date, Seller shall, and shall cause
its Affiliates to, hold in strictest confidence, and not, without the prior
written approval of Purchaser, use for its own benefit or the benefit of any
party other than Purchaser or disclose to any person, firm or corporation other
than Purchaser (other than as required by law) any information of any kind
relating to the Company's or Ness' business, except such information as was
publicly available prior to the Closing Date.
5.3 Use of Trademarks. Seller shall not use and shall not license or
permit any third party to use, any name, slogan, logo or trademark which is
similar or deceptively similar to any of the names or trademarks used in
connection with the business of the Company or Ness.
5.4 Hiring Away Employees. For a period of two (2) years from the
Closing Date, Seller shall not take any actions which are calculated to persuade
any salaried, technical or professional employees, representatives or agents of
the Company or Ness to terminate their association with the Company or Ness, as
the case may be.
5.5 Covenant Not to Compete. As an inducement for Purchaser to enter
into this Agreement, Seller agrees that:
(a) from and after the Closing and continuing for the lesser of five (5)
years from the Closing Date or the longest time permitted by applicable law,
neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates shall do any one or more of the
following, directly or indirectly:
(i) engage or participate, anywhere in the continental United
States, New Zealand or Australia, as an owner, partner, shareholder,
consultant or (without limitation by the specific enumeration of the
foregoing) otherwise in any business which is
competitive with Ness' business, as conducted on the Closing Date or as
about to be conducted on the Closing Date; or
(ii) solicit any customer of Ness which has been a customer of Ness
or its Affiliates within the past two (2) years, to purchase from any
source other than Ness any product or service which could be supplied by
Ness;
(iii) disclosing or using to its advantage the name of any customer
of Ness or of Seller in relation to the business of the Company or Ness; or
(iv) disclosing or using to its advantage any Confidential
Information as defined herein about Ness and its businesses, for the
restraint period;
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For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all information
in any form (written, oral, photographic, electronic, magnetic, or otherwise),
including, without limitation: technical data; sales, marketing, business and
financial information and plans, pro forma financial statements and projections;
customer lists; internal memoranda; and correspondence.
(b) in the event of any breach of paragraph (a) the time period of the
breached covenant shall be extended for the period of such breach. Seller and
its Affiliates recognize that the territorial, time and scope limitations set
forth in this Section 5.5 are reasonable and are required for the protection of
Purchaser and in the event that any such territorial, time or scope limitation
is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, Purchaser and
Seller agree to the reduction of either or any of said territorial, time or
scope limitations to such an area, period or scope as said court shall deem
reasonable under the circumstances.
5.6 Further Assurances. The parties shall execute such further
documents, and perform such further acts, as may be necessary to transfer and
convey the Shares to Purchaser on the terms and subject to the conditions herein
contained and to otherwise comply with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
5.7 Injunctive Relief. Seller specifically recognizes that any breach
of Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 or 5.5 will cause irreparable injury to Purchaser and
that actual damages may be difficult to ascertain, and in any event, may be
inadequate. Accordingly (and without limiting the availability of legal or
equitable, including injunctive, remedies under any other provisions of this
Agreement), Seller agrees that in the event of any such breach, Purchaser shall
be entitled to injunctive relief in addition to such other legal and equitable
remedies that may be available. Seller and Purchaser recognize that the absence
of a time limitation in Section 5.2 is reasonable and properly required for the
protection of Purchaser and in the event that the absence of such limitation is
deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, Seller agrees
and submits to the imposition of such a limitation as said court shall deem
reasonable.
ARTICLE VI
Indemnification
---------------
6.1 General. From and after the Closing, the parties shall indemnify
each other as provided in this Article VI. No specifically enumerated
indemnification obligation with respect to a particular subject matter as set
forth below shall limit or affect the applicability of a more general
indemnification obligation as set forth below with respect to the same subject
matter.
6.2 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the indicated meanings:
(a) "Damages" shall mean all liabilities, demands, claims, actions or
causes of action, regulatory, legislative or judicial proceedings or
investigations, assessments, levies,
15
losses, fines, penalties, damages, costs and expenses, net of any insurance
proceeds, damage recovery or tax benefits, including, without limitation, any
increased premiums, reasonable attorneys', accountants', investigators', and
experts' fees and expenses, sustained or incurred in connection with the defense
or investigation of any such claim;
(b) "Indemnified Party" shall mean a party hereto who is entitled to
indemnification from another party hereto pursuant to this Article VI;
(c) "Indemnifying Party" shall mean a party hereto who is required to
provide indemnification under this Article VI to another party hereto; and
(d) "Third Party Claims" shall mean any claims for Damages which are
asserted or threatened by a party other than the parties hereto, their
successors and permitted assigns, against any Indemnified Party or to which an
Indemnified Party is subject.
6.3 Indemnification Obligations of Seller. Seller shall indemnify, save
and keep harmless Purchaser and its successors and permitted assigns against and
from all Damages sustained or incurred by Purchaser resulting from or arising
out of or by virtue of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation and warranty made
by Seller in this Agreement; and
(b) any breach by Seller of, or failure by Seller to comply with, any of
its respective covenants or obligations under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, its respective obligations under this Article VI).
6.4 Purchaser's Indemnification Covenants. Purchaser shall indemnify,
save and keep harmless Seller and its successors and permitted assigns against
and from all Damages sustained or incurred by Seller resulting from or arising
out of or by virtue of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation and warranty made
by Purchaser in this Agreement or in related document;
(b) any breach by Purchaser of, or failure by Purchaser to comply with,
any of its respective covenants or obligations under this Agreement (including,
without limitation, its obligations under this Article VI); and
(c) any Third Party Claims or Damages that arise out of the Registration
Statement declared effective by the SEC or the Public Offering, other than Third
Party Claims or Damages that arise out of information provided by Seller or Xxxx
Xxxxx, which Seller or Xxxx Xxxxx have been advised by Purchaser or otherwise
reasonably believe based on the specific nature of such information will be
relied upon by Purchaser for inclusion in the Registration Statement.
16
6.5 Limitation on Indemnification Obligations. (a) All representations
and warranties made by any party to this Agreement shall survive the Closing for
a period of twelve (12) months (the "Survival Period"). (b) (i) The Indemnified
Party shall only be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article VI hereof
once such Indemnified Party's aggregate claims for indemnification exceed
seventy five thousand U.S. dollars (U.S. $75,000), but after such claims exceed
such amount, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to seek indemnification for
all indemnification claims in excess of fifty thousand U.S. dollars (U.S.
$50,000) of Damages; and (ii) the indemnification obligations of each party
shall be limited to an amount equal to sixty-five percent (65%) of the Purchase
Price in the aggregate. No party shall be entitled to indemnification for
Damages arising from the breach of any representation or warranty if such party
had actual knowledge of such breach or inaccuracy prior to the Closing.
6.6 Cooperation. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.9, the
Indemnifying Party shall have the right, at its own expense, to participate in
the defense of any Third Party Claim, and if said right is exercised, the
parties shall cooperate in the investigation and defense of said Third Party
claim.
6.7 Subrogation. The Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to
require that any action be brought against any other person before action is
brought against it hereunder by the Indemnified Party but shall be subrogated to
any right of action to the extent that it has paid or successfully defended
against any Third Party Claim.
6.8 Third Party Claims Subject to Indemnification.
(a) Promptly following the receipt of notice of a Third Party Claim, the
party receiving the notice of the Third Party Claim shall notify the other party
hereto of such Third Party Claim. The failure to give such notice shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Agreement except to
the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced as a result of the failure
to give such notice. Within fifteen business days after receipt of the notice
by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Indemnifying
Party shall notify the Indemnified Party whether it elects to control the
defense of the Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party elects to undertake
the defense of such Third Party Claim, it shall do so at its own expense with
counsel of its own choosing and it shall acknowledge in writing without
qualification its indemnification obligations as provided in this Agreement to
the Indemnified Party as to such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party
elects not to defend the Third Party Claim or fails to pursue such Third Party
Claim diligently, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to undertake,
conduct and control the defense of such Third Party Claim through counsel of its
own choosing. The party that litigates or contests the Third Party Claim shall
keep the other party fully advised of the progress and disposition of such
claim.
(b) In the event the Indemnifying Party elects not to undertake the
defense of the Third Party Claim or fails to pursue diligently the defense of
such a claim and the Indemnified
17
Party litigates or otherwise contests or settles the Third Party Claim, then,
provided that a final determination has been made that the Indemnified Party is
entitled to indemnification hereunder, the Indemnifying Party shall promptly
reimburse the Indemnified Party for all amounts paid to settle such claim or all
amounts paid in satisfaction of a judgment against the Indemnified Party in
contesting such claim and in providing its right to indemnification hereunder,
all in accordance with the provisions of this Article VI.
(c) No Third Party Claim will be settled by the Indemnifying Party
without the consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if such claim asserts that the
Indemnifying Party is jointly and severally liable and the Indemnified Party
shall be fully released from all liability relating to such Third Party Claim in
connection with such settlement, the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to
obtain the consent of the Indemnified Party. If, however, the Indemnified Party
refuses to consent to a bona fide offered settlement which the Indemnifying
Party wishes to accept, the Indemnified Party may continue to pursue such Third
Party Claim free of any participation by the Indemnifying Party, at the sole
expense of the Indemnified Party. In such event, the Indemnifying Party shall
pay to the Indemnified Party the amount of the offer of settlement which the
Indemnified Party refused to accept, plus the costs and expenses incurred by the
Indemnified Party prior to the date the Indemnifying Party notifies the
Indemnified Party of the offer of settlement, all in accordance with the terms
of this Article VI, and, upon the payment or receipt of such amount, as the case
may be, the Indemnifying Party shall have no further liability with respect to
such Third Party Claim. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to recover
from the Indemnified Party any additional expenses incurred by such Indemnifying
Party as a result of the decision of the Indemnified Party to pursue the matter.
6.9 Third Party Claims Not Subject to Indemnification. Seller and
Purchaser shall cooperate with each other with respect to the defense of any
claims or litigation made or commenced by third parties subsequent to the
Closing Date which are not subject to the indemnification provisions contained
in this Article VI, provided that the party requesting cooperation shall
reimburse the other party for the other party's reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses of furnishing such cooperation.
ARTICLE VII
Effect of Termination/Proceeding
--------------------------------
7.1 Right to Terminate. Anything to the contrary herein
notwithstanding, this Agreement and the transaction contemplated hereby may be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing by prompt notice given in accordance
with Section 8.3:
(a) by the mutual written consent of Purchaser and Seller; or
18
(b) by either of such parties if the Closing shall not have occurred at or
before 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 1998; provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any
party whose failure to fulfill any material obligation under this Agreement has
been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior
to the aforesaid date; or
(c). by Purchaser in accordance with Section 4.3.
7.2 Remedies. In the event of a breach of this Agreement, the non-
breaching party shall not be limited to the remedy of termination of this
Agreement, but shall be entitled to pursue all available legal and equitable
rights and remedies, and shall be entitled to recover all of its reasonable
costs and expenses incurred in pursuing them (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees).
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
-------------
8.1 Fees. Seller and Purchaser shall each be solely responsible for any
and all of their respective costs, fees and expenses, including, without
limitation, expenses of legal counsel, brokers, accountants, and other advisors,
incurred at any time in connection with pursuing or consummating the
transactions contemplated hereby.
8.2 Publicity. Press releases concerning this transaction shall be made
only with the prior agreement of Seller and Purchaser, provided however that
releases otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange rules, may be
issued by Purchaser upon granting Seller a reasonable opportunity to review and
comment on such release.
8.3 Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be in writing and may be delivered by hand, by facsimile, or by
internationally recognized private courier. Notices delivered by hand by
facsimile, or by nationally recognized private carrier shall be deemed given on
the first business day following receipt; provided, however, that a notice
delivered by facsimile shall only be effective if such notice is also delivered
by hand, or deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or
certified mail, on or before two (2) business days after its delivery by
facsimile. All notices shall be addressed as follows:
If to Seller:
c/o Xxxx Xxxxx/International Home Security Investments Limited
x/x Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx X.X.X.
Xx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx XX
00 Xxx Xxxxxxxx
XX 00000 XXXXXX
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Fax: 000 00 00 00 00
With a copy to:
Xxxx, Gerber and Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx XxXxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: 000-000-0000
If to Purchaser:
Home Security International, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx 0
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxx 2060
Australia
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Fax: 000-000-0000-0000
With a copy to:
X'Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx
00 Xxxxx XxXxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
and/or to such other respective addresses and/or addressees as may be designated
by notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.3.
8.4 Transfer Taxes. Seller shall pay the cost of all sales, use, excise
and transfer taxes, which may be payable in connection with the transaction
contemplated hereby.
8.5 Arbitration. All disputes, differences, or questions arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, or the validity, interpretation, breach, or
violation or termination thereof, shall be finally and solely determined and
settled by arbitration in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association. Within twenty (20) days of Seller's and
Purchaser's failure to resolve a dispute pursuant to this Agreement, each of
Purchaser and Seller shall appoint one person to serve as an arbitrator;
provided, however, that neither Purchaser nor Seller shall appoint any person
that either Purchaser, Seller or their respective affiliates has had
20
any material business dealings with at any time during the previous five (5)
year period from the date of appointment. The two arbitrators so appointed shall
mutually select the third arbitrator hereunder within ten (10) days of their
respective appointment. The three (3) arbitrators shall jointly resolve the
dispute within thirty (30) days after the appointment of the third arbitrator.
If either Purchaser or Seller has not properly appointed an arbitrator within
the time period above who meets the criteria set forth above, the arbitrator
properly appointed shall serve as the sole arbitrator to resolve the dispute
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Arbitrators' determination as to a
dispute shall be final and binding on the parties hereto. The party deemed to be
at fault in arbitration shall pay all fees and expenses of the arbitration.
8.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the instruments to be delivered by
the parties pursuant to the provisions hereof constitute the entire agreement
between the parties and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, successors and
permitted assigns. Each exhibit and schedule, shall be considered incorporated
into this Agreement. Any amendments, or alternative or supplementary provisions
to this Agreement must be made in writing and duly executed by an authorized
representative or agent of each of the parties hereto .
8.7 Survival; Non-Waiver. All representations and warranties shall survive
the Closing regardless of any investigation or lack of investigation by any of
the parties hereto. The failure in any one or more instances of a party to
insist upon performance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this
Agreement, to exercise any right or privilege in this Agreement conferred, or
the waiver by said party of any breach of any of the terms, covenants or
conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as a subsequent waiver of
any such terms, covenants, conditions, rights or privileges, but the same shall
continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver
had occurred. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by
an authorized representative of the waiving party. A breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant shall not be affected by the fact that a
more general or more specific representation, warranty or covenant was not also
breached.
8.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall
constitute but one instrument.
8.9 Severability. The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement or
portion of a provision shall not affect the validity of any other provision of
this Agreement or the remaining portion of the applicable provision.
8.10 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed and controlled as to
validity, enforcement, interpretation, construction, effect and in all other
respects by the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts
made in that State.
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8.11 Binding Effect; Benefit. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the parties hereto, and their successors and permitted
assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on
any person other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and
permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by
reason of this Agreement.
8.12 Assignability. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party
without the prior written consent of the other party, except that after the
Closing, Purchaser may assign its rights and delegate its duties under this
Agreement to any third party. No such assignment shall relieve Purchaser of any
of its liabilities under this Agreement.
8.13 Amendments. This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except
pursuant to an instrument in writing executed and delivered on behalf of each of
the parties hereto.
8.14 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
8.15 Representation. Each of the parties acknowledges that (i) each party
has had an opportunity to consult with independent legal counsel concerning the
terms of this Agreement before executing it; (ii) it fully understands all of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (iii) it is entering into this
Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and without coercion, promises or
representations not expressly contained herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date
first above written.
INTERNATIONAL HOME SECURITY
INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:____________________________________________
Its:____________________________________________
HOME SECURITY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:____________________________________________
Its:____________________________________________
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Exhibit F
Foreign Investment Review Board Approval
1 For the purpose of this Exhibit F unless contrary to or inconsistent with
the context:
"FIRB" means the Foreign Investment Review Board of the Commonwealth of
Australia.
"Notification" means notification pursuant to section 26 of the Takeovers
Act,
"Prohibition Date" means the date (if any) on which the Purchaser serves
the Seller with a copy of an order under the Takeovers Act prohibiting the
Purchaser from purchasing the Shares.
"Takeovers Act" means the Foreign Acquisition & Takeovers Xxx 0000 of the
Commonwealth of Australia.
"Treasurer" means the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia.
2 If in the reasonable opinion of the Purchaser, the Purchaser is required to
seek the consent of the Treasurer to the acquisition of the Shares pursuant
to the Takeovers Act Closing is conditional on:
(a) the Treasurer having consented under the Takeovers Act to the purchase
by the Purchaser of the Shares. This consent ("FIRB Approval") will be
deemed to have been granted on the earlier of:
(I) the Purchaser receiving written notice from the Treasurer, (or
on his behalf), which is not subject to any condition which the
Purchaser considers in Its discretion to be unacceptable, to the
effect that there is no objection under the Takeovers Act to the
purchase of the Shares by the Purchaser;
(ii) the expiration of the period during which the Treasurer may make
an order under Part II of the Takeovers Act prohibiting the
purchase of the Shares by the Purchaser without any such order
having been made; or
(iii) if an Interim order prohibiting the purchase of the Shares by
the Purchaser has been made under section 22 of the Takeovers
Act, the expiration of the period provided under the Takeovers
Act for the making of a final order prohibiting the purchase
without any such final order having been made.
24
3 The Purchaser must lodge no later than 5 days after the date of this
agreement Notification with FIRB for FIRB Approval which must comply with
the relevant requirements of the Takeovers Act and the regulations in force
under it. Immediately following lodgment of the Notification the Purchaser
must give written confirmation of the details of the lodgment to Seller.
4 The Purchaser must use its reasonable endeavors to pursue and obtain the
FIRB Approval as promptly as possible and must expeditiously respond to any
requests by FIRB for Information.
5 Seller agrees to use all reasonable endeavors, at the written request of
the Purchaser, to assist the Purchaser in obtaining the FIRB Approval.
6 The Purchaser must:
(a) keep Seller informed as to the progress in relation to the
Notification and as to the date of the FIRB Approval or the
Prohibition Date (if either occurs); and
(b) immediately after the FIRB Approval or the Prohibition Date occurs (as
the case may be) notify Seller in writing specifying whether the FIRB
Approval or the Prohibition Date has occurred and also provide copies
of all relevant correspondence, notices and orders in relation to it,
7 The service by the Purchaser of notice on Seller specifying that the
Prohibition Date has occurred will have the effect of immediately
rescinding this Agreement and:
(a) neither party will have any further rights or obligations pursuant to
this agreement except in relation to any antecedent breach of this
agreement; and
(b) any amount paid by the Purchaser to Seller must be refunded to the
Purchaser.
8 If neither the Prohibition Date nor the FIRB Approval has occurred within
42 days from the date of this agreement, then either party will be entitled
at any time prior to the occurrence of the first of those dates by written
notice to the other party to rescind this agreement and clause X.7 will
apply.
25
