EXHIBIT 2
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of November 10,
2000, by and among The Netplex Group, Inc., a New York corporation, with
headquarters located at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
00000 (the "Company"), and the undersigned investors (each, an "Investor" and
collectively, the "Investors").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Exchange, Redemption and Conversion Agreement by
and among the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Exchange Agreement"),
the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Exchange Agreement, to issue to the Investors (i) shares of the Company's Series
E Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares"), which will be
convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "Common Stock") (as converted, the "Conversion Shares") in accordance
with the terms of the Company's Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of
Incorporation for the Preferred Shares (the "Certificate of Amendment") and (ii)
shares of Common Stock (the "New Common Shares");
B. To induce each Investor to execute and deliver the Exchange 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.
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
Investors hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
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As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a. "Holder" means an Investor, any transferee or assignee thereof to
whom an Investor 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.
b. "Person" means an individual, a limited liability company, a
partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated
organization and a governmental or any department or agency thereof.
c. "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").
d. "Registrable Securities" means (i) the Conversion Shares issued or
issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, (ii) the New Common Shares,
(iii) the Dividend Shares (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) issued in
relation to the Preferred Shares and (iv) any shares of capital stock issued or
issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares, the New Common Shares, the
Preferred Shares or the Dividend Shares issued in relation to the Preferred
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 Preferred Shares.
e. "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 Exchange Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
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a. Mandatory Registration. Subject to the performance of the Holders'
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obligations contained in Sections 4(a) and 4(b) below, the Company shall
prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than 20 days after
the Issuance Date (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) (the "Filing
Deadline"), file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the
resale of all of the Registrable Securities relating to the Preferred Shares
issued on such Closing Date. 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 that
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (x) 1.0 and (y) the
number of Registrable Securities as of the trading day immediately preceding the
date the Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 2(e). The Company shall use its best efforts
to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as
practicable, but in no event later than the date which is 90 days after the
Issuance Date (the "Effectiveness Deadline").
b. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
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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 Holders based on the number of Registrable Securities held by
each Holder 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 a Holder sells or otherwise transfers any of such Holder's
Registrable Securities, 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 Holders, pro rata based on the number of
Registrable Securities then held by such Holders which are covered by such
Registration Statement.
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c. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Investors holding
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at least two-thirds (_) of the Registrable Securities shall have the right to
select one legal counsel to review any offering pursuant to this Section 2
("Legal Counsel"), which shall be Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Zavis or such other counsel as
thereafter designated by the holders of at least two-thirds (_) of the
Registrable Securities. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal
Counsel in performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.
d. Ineligibility for Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not
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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 and (ii) undertake to register the
Registrable Securities on Form S-3 (by way of an amendment to an existing
Registration Statement or by filing a new Registration Statement) 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.
e. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number
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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 a Holder's allocated portion of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall amend the
Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form
available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least 100% 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) days after the necessity therefor arises. The Company shall use it
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 Preferred Shares covered by such Registration
Statement is greater than the quotient determined by dividing (i) the number of
shares of Common Stock available for resale under such Registration Statement by
(ii) 1.0. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence shall be made
without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares and
such calculation shall assume that the Preferred Shares are then convertible and
exercisable, respectively, into shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing
Conversion Rate (as defined in the Company's Certificate of Amendment).
f. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of
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Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement covering all the
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Registrable Securities and required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement is not (A) filed with the SEC on or before the Filing Deadline or (B)
declared effective by the SEC on or before the Effectiveness Deadline or (ii) on
any day after the 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 pursuant to the Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, because of a failure to keep the Registration
Statement effective, to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to
be made pursuant to the Registration Statement or to register sufficient shares
of Common Stock), 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
Preferred
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Shares an amount in cash per Preferred Share held equal to the product of (i)
$1,000 multiplied by (ii) the sum of (A) 0.02, if the Registration Statement is
not filed by the Filing Deadline (subject to the provisions of this Section
2(f)), plus (B) 0.02, if the Registration Statement is not declared effective by
the Effectiveness Deadline, plus, (C) the product of (I) 0.000667 multiplied by
(II) the sum of (x) the number of days after the Filing Deadline that such
Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC, plus (y) the number of days
after the Effectiveness Deadline that the Registration Statement is not declared
effective by the SEC, plus (z) the number of days after the Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the SEC that such Registration
Statement is not available for the sale of at least all the Registrable
Securities required to be included on such Registration Statement pursuant to
section 2(e). The payments to 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 Delayed 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 2.0% per month (prorated for partial months)
until paid in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company has
filed a Registration Statement covering all the Registrable Securities which has
been declared effective by the SEC on or before the Effectiveness Deadline, the
Company shall not be liable to any Holder for any failure to file the
Registration Statement by the Filing Deadline, including without limitation, any
Registration Delay Payments.
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
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At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration Statement
with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(e), the Company will use its 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 Filing Deadline) and use its best efforts to cause such
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become
effective as soon as practicable after such filing (but in no event later than
the 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 Holders 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 Holders
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 light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. The term
"best efforts" 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, 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.
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b. 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 such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed
of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or
sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. 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-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
the 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 the
Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment
upon (i) the Registration Statement at least three (3) business days prior to
its filing with the SEC and (ii) all other Registration Statements and 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, and (B) not file any document in a form to
which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a request
for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto without prior notification to each Holder and
Legal Counsel. The Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i)
any material 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 and all exhibits 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.
d. The Company shall furnish to each Holder 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, all
exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (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 Holder may reasonably request) and (iii) such other
documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such
Holder may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the
disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder.
e. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register and
qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such securities
or "blue sky" laws of all jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and
file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective
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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 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 Holder 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 Holder 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 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 Holder (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Holder may
reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and
each Holder 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 Holder 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.
g. The Company shall use its 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 Holder 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. At the request of any Holder and at such Holder's expense, the
Company shall furnish to such Holder, on the date of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as a
Holder may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company's
independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily
given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an
underwritten public offering, addressed to the Holders, 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 Holders.
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i. During normal business hours and upon reasonable notification, the
Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any Holder, (ii) Legal
Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the
Holders (collectively, the "Inspectors"), 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 a Holder) 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 Holder 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.
j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of
information concerning a Holder 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 a Holder is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Holder
and allow such Holder, at the Holder'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 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 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 the
Registration Statement on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market System, or (iii) if,
despite the Company's 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 Over The Counter Bulletin Board for
such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, 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).
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l. The Company shall cooperate with the Holders 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 Holders may reasonably request and registered in such
names as the Holders may request.
m. Intentionally Omitted.
n. If requested by a Holder, the Company shall (i) as soon as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such reasonable information as a Holder 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 a Holder of such Registrable Securities.
o. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable
Securities covered by the 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.
p. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders
as soon as practical, but not later than 90 days after the close of the period
covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with 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 the Registration Statement.
q. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with
all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder.
r. 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 Holders 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.
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s. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by Holders of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement.
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4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE HOLDERS.
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a. At least five (5) business days prior to the anticipated filing
date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Holder in
writing of the information the Company requires from each such Holder if such
Holder elects to have any of such Holder'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 Holder that
such Holder 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
registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in
connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
b. Each Holder, by such Holder'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 Holder has notified the Company in writing of
such Holder's election to exclude all of such Holder's Registrable Securities
from such Registration Statement.
c. Each Holder 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 Holder will immediately discontinue disposition
of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering
such Registrable Securities until such Holder'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 a
Holder in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement in connection with
any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which a Holder has entered
into a contract for sale prior to the Holder'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 Holder has not yet settled.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
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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 Holders 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 reimbursement shall be not exceed
$5,000. The Company shall not be required to pay Legal Counsel for fees and
disbursements in connection with the filing of a prospectus supplement or
amendment solely relating to the transfer of Preferred Shares pursuant to
Section 11(g) of the Exchange Agreement.
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6. INDEMNIFICATION.
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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 Holder, the directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if
any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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 stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made,
(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,
(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 or (iv) any material
violation of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through
(iv) being, collectively, "Violations"). Subject to Section 6(c), the Company
shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such reasonable 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
10
rise to a violation and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice,
used it; (iii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a
failure of the Holder to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made
available by the Company, if such 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. 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 Holders pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder is
participating, each such Holder 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 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 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 Holder expressly for use in connection with such Registration
Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Holder will reimburse any
reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them 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 Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld; provided, further, however, that the Holder 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 Holder 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 Holders 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
11
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 Holders holding at least two-thirds (_) 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 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, firms
or corporations 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 seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be entitled to
contribution from any seller 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.
12
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
--------------------------
With a view to making available to the Holders 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 Holders to sell securities of the Company to
the public without registration ("Rule 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
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
Exchange Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is
required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Holder so long as such Holder owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company 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, and (iii)
such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Holders 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 Holders to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable Securities
if: (i) the Holder 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) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence 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 Exchange Agreement.
13
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 Holders who then hold at least two-thirds (_) of the Registrable Securities.
Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be
binding upon each Holder 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 respect to the same Registrable
Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or
election received from the registered 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:
The Netplex Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
With a copy to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, LLP
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
14
If to Legal Counsel:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Zavis
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 312-902-1061
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
If to an Investor, to its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule
of Investors attached hereto, with copies to such Investor's representatives as
set forth on the Schedule of Investors, 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
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
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
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
15
IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, the Exchange Agreement and the Certificate of
Amendment 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 Exchange Agreement and the Certificate of
Amendment supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Old Registration Rights
Agreement (as defined in the Exchange Agreement), the Old Certificate of
Amendment (as defined in the Exchange Agreement) and the 10% Letters (as defined
in the Exchange Agreement) shall remain in full force and effect with respect to
the securities and the transactions contemplated thereby.
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.
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 to be made by the Holders
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this
Agreement, by Holders holding at least two-thirds (_) of the Registrable
Securities, determined as if all of the Preferred Shares then outstanding have
been converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities without regard to
any limitations on conversion of the Preferred Shares.
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.
* * * * * *
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
COMPANY: INVESTORS:
THE NETPLEX GROUP, INC. HFTP INVESTMENT L.L.C.
By: By: Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C
------------------------ ----------------------------------
Name: Its: Investment Manager
-------------------
Its:
--------------------
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Its:
------------------------------
XXXXXX CAPITAL LTD.
By:
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Its: Authorized Signatory
XXXXXXX CAPITAL LTD.
By:
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Authorized Signatory
17
SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS
Investor's Address Investor's Legal Representatives'
Investor's Name and Facsimile Number Address and Facsimile Number
------------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
HFTP Investment L.L.C. _Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C. Promethean Investment Group, L.L.C.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxx., 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Zavis
000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxx Capital Ltd. _Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Zavis
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxxx Capital Ltd. _Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
18
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[TRANFER AGENT]
Attn:
-----------------------
RE: The NETPLEX GROUP, INC.
-----------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to The Netplex Group, Inc., a New York corporation (the
"Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain
Exchange, Redemption and Conversion Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") entered
into by and among the Company and the investors named therein (collectively, the
"Investors") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Investors (i) shares of
its Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the "Preferred Shares")
convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "Common Stock") and (ii) shares of Common Stock (the "New Common
Shares"). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company also has entered into
a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors (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 New Common Shares and the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the Company's obligations
under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 2000 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 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 INVESTORS]
