EXHIBIT 4.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of April 22,
2002, by and among SONICblue Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, with
headquarters located at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
00000 (the "Company"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "Buyer" and
collectively, the "Buyers").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the
parties dated April 21, 2002 (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), the Company
has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Securities
Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Buyers an aggregate of (i)
$75,000,000 (the "Convertible Debentures") of the Company's 7 3/4% Secured
Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures due 2005 (the "Convertible
Debentures"), which will be convertible into shares of the Company's common
stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock") (as converted, the
"Conversion Shares") and (ii) warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase up to
7,500,000 shares of Common Stock (as exercised collectively, the "Warrant
Shares");
B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 Act"), and
applicable state securities laws; and
C. The location of defined terms in this Agreement is set forth on the
Index of Terms attached hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each
of the Buyers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
a. "Business Day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any
other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or
required by law to remain closed.
b. "Investor" means a Buyer, any transferee or assignee thereof to
whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become
bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any
transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its
rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
c. "Penalty Amount" shall be equal to the sum of:
(i) the product of (I) the number of Warrant Shares issued and still
held by such Buyer and (II) the Closing Sale Price (as defined in the Warrants)
on the trading day prior to the Filing Deadline, the Effectiveness Deadline or
the Selling Prohibition, as applicable;
(ii) the product of (I) the number of Warrant Shares issuable
pursuant to the Warrants still held by such Buyer and (II) the difference (if a
positive number) between the Closing Sale Price on the trading day prior to the
Filing Deadline, the Effectiveness Deadline or the Selling Prohibition, as
applicable, and the Warrant Exercise Price;
(iii) the product of (I) the number of Conversion Shares issued and
still held by such Buyer and (II) the Closing Sale Price on the trading day
prior to the Filing Deadline, the Effectiveness Deadline or the Selling
Prohibition, as applicable; and
(iv) the product of (I) the number of Conversion Shares issuable
pursuant to the Debentures still held by such Buyer and (II) the Closing Sale
Price on the trading day prior to the Filing Deadline, the Effectiveness
Deadline or the Selling Prohibition, as applicable.
d. "Person" means an individual, a limited liability company, a
partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated
organization and governmental or any department or agency thereof.
e. "register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to
Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering
securities on a continuous or delayed basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or
ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
f. "Registrable Securities" means (i) the Conversion Shares issued or
issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures, (ii) the Warrant Shares
issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, (iii) any shares of capital
stock issued or issuable as payment of interest under the Convertible Debentures
(the "Interest Shares") and (iii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable
with respect to the Conversion Shares, the Convertible Debentures, the Warrant
Shares, the Warrants or the Interest Shares as a result of any stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise,
without regard to any limitations on conversions of the Convertible Debentures
or exercises of Warrants.
g. "Registration Statement" means a registration statement or
registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the
Registrable Securities.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
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2. Registration.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as
practicable but in no event later than May 22, 2002 (the "Filing Deadline"),
file with the SEC the Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of
all of the Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for
such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for
such a registration, subject to the provisions of Section 2(d). The Registration
Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least 12,086,209
shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by
the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than September 4, 2002
(the "Effectiveness Deadline").
b. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro
rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by
each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial
number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is declared effective by
the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such
Investor's Registrable Securities then remaining unsold, each transferee shall
be allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable
Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any
shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain
allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered
by such Registration Statement shall be allocated to the remaining Investors,
pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by such
Investors which are covered by such Registration Statement. In no event shall
the Company include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any
Registration Statement without the prior written consent of Buyers holding at
least a majority of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may include on any Registration
Statement, without the prior written consent of the Buyers, shares of Common
Stock issued to vendors of the Company in an amount not to exceed 2,000,000
shares.
c. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Buyers holding at
least a majority of the Registrable Securities shall have the right to select
one legal counsel to review and oversee any registration pursuant to this
Section 2 ("Legal Counsel"), which shall be Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxx LLP or such
other counsel as thereafter designated by the holders of at least a majority of
the Registrable Securities. The Company and Legal Counsel shall reasonably
cooperate with each other in performing the Company's obligations under this
Agreement.
d. Ineligibility for Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not
available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable
Securities on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the holders of
at least a majority of the Registrable Securities and (ii) undertake to register
the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available,
provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3
covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.
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e. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a)
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities required to be
covered by such Registration Statement or an Investor's allocated portion of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall amend the
applicable Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the
short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least
125% of the number of such Registrable Securities as of the trading day
immediately preceding the date of the filing of such amendment or new
Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event
not later than fifteen (15) business days after the necessity therefor arises.
The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment and/or
new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following
the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to
cover all of the Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of
Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Debentures and upon exercise of the Warrants, if any, covered by such
Registration Statement is greater than the quotient determined by dividing (i)
number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under such Registration
Statement by (ii) 1.1. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence shall
be made without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Convertible
Debentures or the exercise of the Warrants and such calculation shall assume
that the Convertible Debentures and the Warrants are then convertible into
shares of Common Stock and are issuable at the then prevailing Conversion Rate
(as defined in the Convertible Debentures) or Warrant Exercise Price, as
applicable.
f. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of
Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement covering all the
Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby and required to be filed
by the Company pursuant to this Agreement is (A) not filed with the SEC on or
before the respective Filing Deadline or (B) not declared effective by the SEC
on or before the respective Effectiveness Deadline or (ii) on any day after such
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC sales of all the
Registrable Securities required to be included on such Registration Statement
cannot be made (other than during an Allowable Grace Period (as defined in
Section 3(r)) pursuant to such Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, because of a failure to keep such Registration Statement effective,
to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to
such Registration Statement or to register sufficient shares of Common Stock)
(the "Selling Prohibition"), then, as partial relief for the damages to any
holder by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the
underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any
other remedies available at law or in equity), the Company shall pay to each
holder of Convertible Debentures relating to such Registration Statement an
amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the Penalty Amount applicable to such
Investor multiplied by (ii) the product of (I) 0.0005 multiplied by (II) the sum
of (x) the number of days after the applicable Filing Deadline that the
Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC, plus (y) the number of days
after the applicable Effectiveness Deadline that the Registration Statement is
not declared effective by the SEC, plus (z) the number of days, in each
instance, after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
SEC that such Registration Statement is not available (other than during an
Allowable Grace Period) for the sale of all the Registrable Securities required
to be included on such Registration Statement. The payments to
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which a holder shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(f) are referred to
herein as "Registration Delay Payments." Registration Delay Payments shall be
paid on the earlier of (I) the last day of the calendar month during which such
Registration Delay Payments are incurred and (II) the third Business Day after
the event or failure giving rise to the Registration Delay Payments is cured. In
the event the Company fails to make Registration Delay Payments in a timely
manner, such Registration Delay Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5%
per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.
3. Related Obligations.
At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration
Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), 2(d) or 2(e), the Company will
use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable
Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and,
pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (but in no
event later than the applicable Filing Deadline) and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable
Securities required to be covered thereby to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing (but in no event later than the applicable
Effectiveness Deadline). The Company shall keep each Registration Statement
effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as
of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities covered by
such Registration Statement without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or
successor thereto) promulgated under the 1933 Act or (ii) the date on which the
Investors shall have sold all the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement (the "Registration Period"), which Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained
therein) shall 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 therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made,
not misleading. The term "reasonable best efforts" as used in this Section 3(a)
shall mean, among other things, that the Company shall submit to the SEC, within
two (2) Business Days after the Company learns that no review of a particular
Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff
has no further comments on the Registration Statement, as the case may be, and
the approval of Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 3(c), a request for
acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date
not later than 48 hours after the submission of such request.
b. Subject to Section 3(r), the Company shall prepare and file with
the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to
a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during
such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such
Registration Statement until the end of the Registration Period. In the case of
amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be
filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by
reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-
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Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "1934 Act"), the Company shall have incorporated such report by
reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such
amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act
report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or
supplement such Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment
upon (i) a Registration Statement at least three (3) Business Days prior to its
filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to all Registration
Statements (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and any similar or successor reports)
within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC. The
Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) copies of any
correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its
representatives relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) promptly after the
same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement
and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all
documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, and
all exhibits, provided that if such Registration Statement and related documents
are filed with the SEC through XXXXX and are available to the Investors via
XXXXX then no such deliveries shall be required and (iii) upon the effectiveness
of any Registration Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such
Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto. The Company
shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the Company's
obligations pursuant to this Section 3.
d. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of
such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if
requested by an Investor, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, provided
that if such Registration Statement and related documents are filed with the SEC
through XXXXX and are available to the Investors via XXXXX then no such
deliveries shall be required, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration
Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of
copies as such Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents,
including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may
reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of
the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.
e. Subject to Section 3(r), the Company shall use its reasonable best
efforts to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and
qualification applies, the resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities
covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky"
laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file
in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments)
and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify
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the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify
Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt
by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose.
f. The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in
writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable after becoming
aware of such event, as a result of which the prospectus included in a
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such
notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and, subject to Section
3(r), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement
to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of
such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each Investor (or such other
number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may reasonably request). The
Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing
(i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be
delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile on the same day of
such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for
amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or
related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate
(provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic
information).
g. Subject to Section 3(r), the Company shall use its reasonable best
efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of
effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the
qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction
and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such
order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify Legal Counsel
and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of
such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the
initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
h. If an Investor has been deemed or may be deemed an underwriter
under the 1933 Act and the Investor reasonably believes it needs to avail itself
of the due diligence defense under the 1933 Act, at the reasonable request of
any Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on
such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date,
from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and
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substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors, and
(ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for
purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is
customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the
Investors.
i. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents
retained by the Investors (collectively, the "Inspectors"), after execution by
the Investors or the Inspectors of a confidentiality agreement (with appropriate
trading restrictions), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "Records"),
as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the
Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any
Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall
agree to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to
an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company
determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the
Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such
Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a
court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in
such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector
has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure
of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow
the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed
confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between
the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investors' ability to
sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with
applicable laws and regulations.
j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure
of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i)
disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of
such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or
governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt
written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.
k. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts either to (i)
cause all the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be
listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or
series issued by the Company are
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then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then
permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure designation and
quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement
on the Nasdaq National Market, or (iii) if, despite the Company's reasonable
best efforts to satisfy the preceding clause (i) or (ii), the Company is
unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clause (i) or (ii), to secure the
inclusion for quotation on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market for such Registrable
Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its
reasonable best efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register
with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") as such with
respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and
expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(k).
l. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, facilitate
the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive
legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a
Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations
or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and
registered in such names as the Investors may request.
m. If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as an Investor reasonably requests to be included therein
relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including,
without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable
Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any
other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such
offering; (ii) as soon as practicable make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; and (iii) as soon as practicable, supplement or make amendments to
any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by an Investor holding any
Registrable Securities.
n. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
o. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders
as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the
period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in
the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering
a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's
fiscal quarter next following the effective date of a Registration Statement.
p. The Company shall otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to
comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with
any registration hereunder.
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q. Within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which
covers Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall
deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the
transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors
whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement)
confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
r. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after
the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, the Company
may delay the disclosure of material non-public information concerning the
Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of
the Board of Directors of the Company and its counsel, in the best interest of
the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, otherwise required (a
"Grace Period"); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the
Investors in writing of the existence of material non-public information giving
rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each notice the Company will not
disclose the content of such material non-public information to the Investors)
and the date on which the Grace Period will begin (or has begun), and (ii)
notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and,
provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed twenty (20) consecutive days
and during any three hundred sixty five (365) day period such Grace Periods
shall not exceed an aggregate of forty-five (45) days and the first day of any
Grace Period must be at least two (2) trading days after the last day of any
prior Grace Period (an "Allowable Grace Period"). For purposes of determining
the length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include
the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall
end on the date the date referred to in the notice referred to in clause (ii).
The provisions of Section 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period
of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the Company
shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the
information giving rise thereto unless such material non-public information is
no longer applicable.
4. Obligations Of The Investors.
a. At least seven (7) days prior to the first anticipated filing date
of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing
of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such Investor
elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of
the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect
to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the
effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall
execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may
reasonably request.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
10
c. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or
the first sentence of 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s)
covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies
of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the
first sentence of 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is
required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its
transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of
an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in
connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an
Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of
a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 3(g) or the first sentence of 3(f) and for which the Investor has not
yet settled.
d. Each Investor agrees that it will comply with any prospectus
delivery requirements pursuant to the 1933 Act.
5. Expenses Of Registration.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company.
The Company shall also reimburse the Investors for the fees and disbursements of
Legal Counsel in connection with registration, filing or qualification pursuant
to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall be limited to $10,000
for the Registration Statement.
6. Indemnification.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and
hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if
any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934
Act (each, an "Indemnified Person"), against any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys'
fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively,
"Claims") incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim,
suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by
or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency,
body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified
party is or may be a party thereto ("Indemnified Damages"), to which any of them
may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing
made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities
or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are
offered ("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact required to be
11
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such
Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or
supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material
fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or
(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities
law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the
foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, "Violations"). Subject
to Section 6(c), the Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly
as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal
fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this
Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person
for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation
of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(d); (ii) with respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure
to the benefit of any such person from whom the person asserting any such Claim
purchased the Registrable Securities that are the subject thereof (or to the
benefit of any person controlling such person) if the untrue statement or
omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected
in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such prospectus was
timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d), and the
Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect
prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation and such Indemnified
Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it or failed to deliver the correct
prospectus as required by the 1933 Act and such correct prospectus was timely
made available pursuant to Section 3(d); (iii) shall not be available to the
extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause
to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company, including a
corrected prospectus, if such prospectus or corrected prospectus was timely made
available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); and (iv) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without
the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified
Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the
Investors to permitted assignees under the Transaction Documents (as defined in
the Securities Purchase Agreement) pursuant to Section 9 hereof.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor
is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly
indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner
as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each,
an "Indemnified Party"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any
of
12
them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise,
insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with
such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Investor will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified
Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided,
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the
agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without
the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that the Investor
shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or
Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall
survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to
Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party
if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as
then amended or supplemented.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or
proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim,
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6,
deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof,
and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the
extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party,
if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In the case of an
Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at least a majority in
interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to
which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall
cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation
or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall
furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim.
The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person
fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement
negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any
13
settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written
consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably
withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other
compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by
the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a
release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation. Following
indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be
subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with
respect to all third parties or Persons relating to the matter for which
indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the
indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such
action.
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by
periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation
or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to
(i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. Contribution.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited
or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which person is
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 0000 Xxx) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution
from any person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of
Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds
received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to
such Registration Statement.
8. Reports Under The 1934 Act.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule
144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of
the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the
Company to the public without registration ("Rule 144"), the Company agrees to
use reasonable best efforts to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
14
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if
true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933
Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report
of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company (if
such reports are not available on XXXXX), and (iii) such other information as
may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities
pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. Assignment of Registration Rights.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the
Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of such Investor's Registrable
Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or
assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the
Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is,
within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with
written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and
(b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment
the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws; (iv) the
transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of
the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase
Agreement.
10. Amendment of Registration Rights.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof
may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and Investors who then hold at least a majority of the Registrable Securities
then remaining unsold. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this
Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. No such
amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of
the holders of the Registrable Securities. 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 this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered
to all of the parties to this Agreement.
11. Miscellaneous.
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities
whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more Persons with
15
respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis
of instructions, notice or election received from the such record owner of such
Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required
or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing
and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of
transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the
sending party); or (iii) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the
party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
SONICblue Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
With a copy to:
Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. del Xxxxx
If to Legal Counsel:
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule of
Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives as set forth
on the Schedule of Buyers, or to such other address and/or facsimile number
and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has
specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the
effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the
recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B)
mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine
containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first
page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier
16
service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile
or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance
with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement
and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of
the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of
law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other
jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions
other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the
non- exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting 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, 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 brought
in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is
improper. 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 to such party at the address for such 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.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the
validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND
AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE
HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Warrants,
the Pledge and Security Agreement and the Convertible Debentures constitute the
entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This
Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Warrant, the Pledge and
Security Agreement and the Convertible Debentures supersede all prior agreements
and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns
of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
17
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to
the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
j. All consents and other determinations required to be made by the
Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified
in this Agreement, by Investors holding at least a majority of the Registrable
Securities then remaining unsold, determined as if all of the Convertible
Debentures held by Investors then outstanding have been converted into
Registrable Securities and all Warrants then outstanding have been exercised for
Registrable Securities without regard to any limitations on conversion of the
Convertible Debentures or on exercises of the Warrants.
k. 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.
l. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the
benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
* * * * * *
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
COMPANY:
SONICBLUE INCORPORATED
By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXX
------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Chief Operating Officer
BUYERS:
PORTSIDE GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY FUND
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Managing Officer
SMITHFIELD FIDUCIARY LLC
By: /s/ XXXX X. CHILL
------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Chill
Title: Authorized Signatory
CITADEL EQUITY FUND LTD.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. SIMPLER
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Simpler
Title: Vice President
19
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
Investor Investor Address Investor's Representative's Address
-------- and Facsimile Number and Facsimile Number
-------------------- --------------------
Portside Growth & c/o Ramius Capital Group, L.L.C. Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxx LLP
Opportunity Fund 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Smithfield Fiduciary LLC c/o Highbridge Capital Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxx LLP
Management, LLC 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
0 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Attention: Xxx X. Xxxxxx Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxx X. Chill Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. c/o Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Simpler Attention: Xxxxxx X.
Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[Transfer Agent]
Attn:
Re: SONICblue Incorporated
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to SONICblue Incorporated, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that
certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") entered into by
and among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the "Holders")
pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders its 7 3/4% Secured Senior
Subordinated Convertible Debentures due 2005 (the "Convertible Debentures")
convertible into shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per
share (the "Common Stock") and warrants exercisable for shares of its Common
Stock (the "Warrants"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has
entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the "Registration
Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to
register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Convertible Debentures and exercise of the Warrants under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the Company's obligations
under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 200_, the Company
filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_____________) (the
"Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as
a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of
the SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that as of [time] on
[date] any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any
proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and
the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant
to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
[ISSUER'S COUNSEL]
By:_____________________
CC: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]
INDEX OF TERMS
Page
----
1933 Act.....................................................................................1
1934 Act.....................................................................................5
Agreement....................................................................................1
Allowable Grace Period.......................................................................9
Blue Sky Filing.............................................................................11
Business Day.................................................................................1
Buyer........................................................................................1
Claims......................................................................................11
Common Stock.................................................................................1
Company......................................................................................1
Conversion Shares............................................................................1
Convertible Debentures.......................................................................1
Convertible Debentures.......................................................................1
Effectiveness Deadline.......................................................................2
Filing Deadline..............................................................................2
Grace Period.................................................................................9
Indemnified Damages.........................................................................11
Indemnified Party...........................................................................12
Indemnified Person..........................................................................11
Inspectors...................................................................................7
Interest Shares..............................................................................2
Investor.....................................................................................1
Legal Counsel................................................................................3
NASD.........................................................................................8
Penalty Amount...............................................................................2
Person.......................................................................................2
Records......................................................................................7
Register.....................................................................................2
Registrable Securities.......................................................................2
Registration Delay Payments..................................................................4
Registration Period..........................................................................5
Registration Statement.......................................................................2
Rule 144....................................................................................14
Rule 415.....................................................................................2
SEC..........................................................................................2
Securities Purchase Agreement................................................................1
Selling Prohibition..........................................................................4
Violations..................................................................................11
Warrant Shares...............................................................................1
Warrants.....................................................................................1
