FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.29
FORM
OF
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of __________, 2005, by and among
Smart Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its headquarters located
at 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000 (the “Company”), and the
undersigned (together with its affiliates and any assignees or transferees
of
all of its respective rights hereunder, the “Investors”).
WHEREAS:
A. In
connection with the Subscription Agreement by and among the parties hereto
dated
as of the date hereof (the “Subscription Agreement”), the Company has agreed,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein, to issue
and
sell to the Investors shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”),
upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in
such
Subscription Agreement; and
B. To
induce
the Investors to execute and deliver the Subscription 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.
(a) As
used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
(i) “Investors”
means any person who acquires shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any
security of the Company pursuant to which the holder has a right to receive
shares of Common Stock of the Company upon exercise or conversion of such
security, who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement
or a
counterpart of this Agreement, and permitted transfers and assignees of
Investors in accordance with Section 9 hereof.
(ii) “Listing
Date” the date on which the Common Stock of the Company becomes listed on the
OTCBB.
(iii) “OTCBB”
the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.
(iv) “register,”“registered,”
and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a
Registration Statement or Statements 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 basis (“Rule 415”), and the declaration or
ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
(v) “Registrable
Securities” means (x) all shares of Common Stock sold by the Company pursuant to
the Subscription Agreement or pursuant to a warrant issued to Investor at
the
time of purchase of such shares of common stock; and (z) all shares of capital
stock issued or issuable as a dividend on or in exchange for or otherwise
with
respect to the foregoing.
(vi) “Registration
Statement” means a registration statement of the Company under the 1933
Act.
(b) Capitalized
terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings set forth in the Subscription Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
(a) Mandatory
Registration.
No
later than September 30, 2005 (the “Target Filing Date”), the Company shall
prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form X-0, XX-0
or SB-2
as determined by the Company in its sole discretion (or, if such Forms are
not
then available, on such form of Registration Statement as is then available)
to
effect a registration of the Registrable Securities covering the resale of
the
Registrable Securities. The Company may also include in such Registration
Statement in its sole discretion, shares for sale by the Company or the Company
may file a separate Registration Statement covering shares to be sold by
the
Company before, at the same time or after the Company files a Registration
Statement covering resale of Registrable Securities by Investors.
(b) Payments
by the Company.
The
Company shall use its best efforts to obtain effectiveness of the Registration
Statement as soon as reasonably practicable. If (i) the Registration Statement
covering the Registrable Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant
to Section 2(a) hereof is not filed by the Target Filing Date, then the Company
will make payments to the Investors in such amounts and at such times as
shall
be determined pursuant to this Section 2(b) as liquidated damages by reason
of
any such delay in their ability to sell the Registrable Securities (which
remedy
shall be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity).
The
Company shall pay to each holder of Registrable Securities an amount (the
“Damage Amount”) equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the purchase
price (the “Purchase Price”) paid for the Registrable Securities by the
Investor, by (ii) the Applicable Percentage (as defined below) by (iii) the
number of 30-day periods (prorated for partial periods) after the Target
Filing
Date that the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities
of the
Investor is actually filed; provided, however, that there shall be excluded
from
such period any delays which are attributable (i) to Investor, or any other
Investor who holds Registrable Securities, with respect to information relating
to the Investors, including, without limitation, the plan of distribution
or
beneficial ownership of securities, or (ii) to the failure of any Investor
(or
legal counsel to the Investor) to conduct their review of the Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 3(h) below in a reasonably prompt manner or
(iii)
any person or entity named in the Prospectus as an underwriter. The term
“Applicable Percentage” means one half of one percent. (For example, if the
Registration Statement is filed thirty days after the Target Filing Date,
the
Company would pay as the Damage Amount $500 for each $100,000 of the Purchase
Price. In the sole discretion of the Company, the Company may issue to Investor
in lieu of the cash payment described above, a number of shares of Common
Stock
of the Company equal to the quotient derived by dividing (i) the Damage Amount,
by (ii) Purchase Price per share (as defined above).
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(c) Eligibility
for Form S-3; Conversion to Form S-3.
If the
Company meets the registration eligibility and transaction requirements for
the
use of Form S-3 (or any successor form) for registration of the offer and
sale
by the Investor and any other Investors of their Registrable Securities before
the earlier of the dates stated in clauses (ii) and (iii) in the definition
of
the Registration Period (as defined in Section 3(a) below), the Company shall
file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or such successor form) with respect
to the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement, filed
pursuant to Section 2(a) (and include in such Registration Statement on Form
S-3
the information required by Rule 429 under the 0000 Xxx) or convert the
Registration Statement, filed pursuant to Section 2(a) to a Form S-3 pursuant
to
Rule 429 under the 1933 Act and cause such Registration Statement (or such
amendment) to be declared effective as soon as practicable after filing.
If the
Company becomes eligible to use Form S-3 during the Registration Period,
the
Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to file all reports required to
be
filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely manner so as to remain eligible
or
become eligible, as the case may be, and thereafter to maintain its eligibility,
for the use of Form S-3. After such Registration Statement on Form S-3 become
effective, subject to Section 3 hereof, the Company shall maintain such
Registration Statement in effect until the earlier of clauses (ii) and (iii)
in
the definition of Registration Period in Section 3(a) hereof.
3. OBLIGATIONS
OF THE COMPANY.
In
connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the Company
shall have the following obligations:
(a) The
Company shall prepare promptly, and use reasonable efforts to file with the
SEC
not later than the Target Filing Date, a Registration Statement with respect
to
the number of Registrable Securities provided in Section 2(a), and thereafter
use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to
Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as possible after such
filing, and use reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement effective
pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until such date as is the earlier of (i)
270
days after the effective date of the Registration Statement; (ii) the date
on
which all of the Registrable Securities have been sold by Investor and (iii)
the
date on which the Registrable Securities of Investor (in the opinion of counsel
to the Company) may be immediately sold to the public without registration
or
restriction (including without limitation as to volume by Investor) under
the
1933 Act (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
not misleading. The right of other Investors to have the Registration Statement
remain in effect shall not confer any rights on Investor.
(b) The
Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including
post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration Statements
and
the prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement as may
be
necessary to keep the 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 the Registration Statement until such time as all of such
Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended
methods of disposition by the Investor as set forth in the Registration
Statement.
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(c) If
requested, the Company shall furnish to one legal counsel for all Investors
whose Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement (i)
promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business days) after the same
is
prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the
Company, one copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment thereto,
each
preliminary prospectus and prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto,
and, in the case of the Registration Statement referred to in Section 2(a),
each
letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of
the
SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC,
in
each case relating to such Registration Statement (other than any portion
of any
thereof which contains information for which the Company has sought confidential
treatment), and (ii) promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business
days)
after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, such number
of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all
amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents as Investor may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by Investor. The Company will immediately notify one legal
counsel representing all Investors where Registrable Securities are included
in
a Registration Statement by facsimile of the effectiveness of each Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment. The Company will promptly respond
to
any and all comments received from the SEC (which comments shall promptly
be
made available to one legal counsel representing all Investors whose
Registration Securities are included in a Registration Statement upon request),
with a view towards causing the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable, and
(ii)
promptly file an acceleration request as soon as reasonably practicable (but
in
no event more than two (2) business days) following the resolution or clearance
of all SEC comments. If applicable, following notification by the SEC that
any
such Registration Statement or any amendment thereto will not be subject
to
review, the Company shall promptly file with the SEC a final prospectus as
soon
as reasonably practicable (but in no event more than two (2) business days)
following receipt by the Company from the SEC of an order declaring the
Registration Statement effective.
(d) The
Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such other securities
or
“blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Investors who
hold a majority of the Registrable Securities being offered by the Registration
Statement reasonably request or qualify for an exemption for resale afforded
companies listed in a Standard & Poor’s corporate handbook or similar
publications, (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 reasonably
necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect 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 (i) qualify to do business in any
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for
this
Section 3(d), (ii) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction,
(iii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction,
(iv) provide any undertakings that cause the Company undue expense or burden,
(v) make any change in its charter or bylaws, or (vi) spend more than $10,000
in
filing fees and legal fees and expenses for such “blue sky”
compliance.
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(e) If
the
Company has not selected an underwriter for the offering, and in the event
Investors who hold a majority of the Registrable Securities being offered
by the
Registration Statement select underwriters for the offering, the Company
shall
enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in
usual
and customary form, including, without limitation, customary indemnification
and
contribution obligations, with the underwriters of such offering.
(f) As
promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the Company shall
notify each Investor of the happening of any event, of which the Company
has
knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in any 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 not misleading, and use its best efforts promptly
to
prepare a supplement or amendment to any Registration Statement to correct
such
untrue statement or omission, and deliver such number of copies of such
supplement or amendment to each Investor as such Investor may reasonably
request; provided that, for not more than sixty (60) consecutive trading
days
(or a total of not more than ninety (90) trading days in any twelve (12)
month
period), the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public information
concerning the Company (as well as prospectus or Registration Statement
updating) the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion
of the Company, in the best interests of the Company (an “Allowed Delay”);
provided, further, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the Investors
in
writing of the existence of material non-public information giving rise to
an
Allowed Delay and (ii) advise the Investors in writing to cease all sales
under
such Registration Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay. Upon expiration
of the Allowed Delay, the Company shall again be bound by the first sentence
of
this Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise
thereto.
(g) The
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of
any
stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any Registration Statement,
and, if such an order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order within
a
reasonable time and to notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities
being sold (or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the managing
underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the resolution
thereof.
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(h) The
Company shall permit a single firm of legal counsel designated by Investors
who
own a majority of the Registrable Securities offered under the Registration
Statement to review such Registration Statement and all amendments and
supplements thereto (as well as all requests for acceleration or effectiveness
thereof) a reasonable period of time prior to their filing with the SEC.
The
role of such legal counsel to the Investors shall be to confirm that the
sections of such Registration Statement covering information with respect
to the
Investors, the Investor’s beneficial ownership of securities of the Company and
the Investors intended method of disposition of Registrable Securities shall
conform to the information provided to the Company by each of the Investors,
subject to review and approval by the Company and its legal counsel. Such
legal
counsel for the Investors shall not have the right to require changes to
the
description of the Company, its business or other matters not related to
selling
stockholders.
(i) The
Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as
practicable, but not later than ninety (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.
(j) Until
the
Registration Statement ceases to be effective, the Company shall make available
for inspection following reasonable prior written notice by (i) any underwriter
participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration Statement, (ii)
one
firm of attorneys or other agents retained by the Investors who own a majority
of the Registrable Securities, and (iii) one firm of attorneys retained by
all
such underwriters (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 to enable each Inspector to exercise its due diligence responsibility,
and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all
information which any Inspector may reasonably request for purposes of such
due
diligence; provided, however, that each Inspector shall hold in confidence
and
shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) 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 release
of
such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court
or
government body of competent jurisdiction, or (b) 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. The Company shall not be required
to allow such inspection more than once per calendar year. Following such
due
diligence review, Investor may require the Company to withdraw the Registrable
Securities of such Investor from the Registration Statement, if the Company
does
not make changes to the Registration Statement requested by such
Investor.
(k) The
Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential information in
such
Records to any Inspector or to any Investor pursuant to this Agreement until
and
unless such Inspector and Investor shall have entered into confidentiality
agreements (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) with the Company
with respect thereto. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that
disclosure of such Records or other information 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 Investor’s ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which
is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
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(l) The
Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities exchange,
if
any, 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) to the extent the securities
of the same class or series are not then listed on a national securities
exchange, to use reasonable 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.
(m) The
Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar, which may be a single
entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the effective date
of the
Registration Statement.
(n) At
the
request of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities offered
pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Company shall prepare and file
with
the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements
to
a Registration Statement and any prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement.
(o) The
Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and
facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities pursuant
to a
Registration Statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS
OF THE INVESTORS.
In
connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the Investors
shall have the following obligations:
(a) 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 registration of such Registrable
Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration
as the Company may reasonably request. At least five (5) business days prior
to
the first anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, the Company
shall notify each Investor of the information the Company requires from each
such Investor.
(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 the Registration Statements 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 the Registration
Statements.
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(c) In
the
event the Company or Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities
being registered determine to engage the services of an underwriter, each
Investor agrees to enter into and perform such Investor’s obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with
the
managing underwriter of such offering and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
the
Registrable Securities, 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.
(d) 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(f) or 3(g), such
Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities
until such Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or 3(g) and, if so directed by the
Company, such Investor shall deliver to the Company (at the expense of the
Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction)
all copies in such Investor’s possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
(e) No
Investor may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless
such
Investor if requested by the Company (i) agrees to sell such Investor’s
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
in
usual and customary form entered into by the Company, (ii) completes and
executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of
all
underwriting discounts and commissions and any expenses in excess of those
payable by the Company pursuant to Section 5 below. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, there is no obligation on the part of the Company or any underwriter
to include Registrable Securities of Investor in the securities to be purchased
or sold by the underwriter.
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
qualification fees, printers and accounting fees, the fees and disbursements
of
counsel for the Company, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one
counsel selected by the Investors holding a majority of the Registrable
Securities shall be borne by the Company, provided the Company shall not
be
required to pay legal fees and disbursements of such legal counsel in excess
of
$15,000.
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6. INDEMNIFICATION.
In
the
event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement
under
this Agreement:
(a) To
the
extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify, hold harmless and defend
(i) each Investor who holds such Registrable Securities, (ii) the directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents and each person who controls any Investor
within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended (the “1934 Act”), if any, (iii) any underwriter (as defined in the 0000
Xxx) for the Investors, and (iv) the directors, officers, partners, employees
and each person who controls any such underwriter within the meaning of the
1933
Act or the 1934 Act, if any (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any joint
or several losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (collectively,
together with actions, proceedings or inquiries by any regulatory or
self-regulatory organization, whether commenced or threatened, in respect
thereof, “Claims”) to which any of them may become subject insofar as such
Claims arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement of a material
fact in a Registration Statement or the omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; (ii) any 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 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 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 (the matters in the foregoing clauses
(i)
through (iii) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to the restrictions
set forth in Section 6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the
Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Person, 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 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 any Indemnified Person or underwriter for such Indemnified Person,
or
any of their legal counsel, expressly for use in connection with the preparation
of such Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement
thereto; (ii) 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; and (iii) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified
Person
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. 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 pursuant to Section 9.
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(b) In
connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is
participating, each such Investor agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify,
hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner 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, any underwriter and any other
shareholder selling securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or
any of
its directors or officers or any person who controls such shareholder or
underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (collectively
and
together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim
to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act
or
otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out of or is based upon any Violation
by
such Investor, 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, or its legal counsel, expressly
for
use in connection with such Registration Statement; and subject to Section
6(c)
such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses (promptly as such
expenses are incurred and are due and payable) 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) 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; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall
be
liable under this Agreement (including this Section 6(b) and Section 7) for
only
that amount 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 (including any governmental action),
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 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. The indemnifying
party shall pay for only one separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons
or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such legal counsel shall be
10
selected
by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities included in
the
Registration Statement to which the Claim relates (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Investors), if the Investors are entitled to
indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, as applicable. 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 actually prejudiced in its ability
to
defend such action. 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 such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred
and is due and payable.
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 contribution
shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable
for
indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6, (ii) 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 such fraudulent
misrepresentation, and (iii) contribution (together with any indemnification
or
other obligations under this Agreement) 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.
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 its best efforts
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 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 that it has complied
with
the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and
(ii)
such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors
to
sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
11
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 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) 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, (v) such transfer shall have been made in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Subscription Agreement,
and
(vi) such transferee shall not be a “U.S. Person” as that term defined in
Regulation S promulgated under the 1933 Act.
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 written consent of the Company and Investors who
hold
a majority of the Registrable Securities, except that any person or entity
who
acquires Registrable Securities may become a part to this Agreement by the
Company and such person or entity signing a counterpart of this Agreement.
Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be
binding
upon each Investor and the Company. In the event the Company becomes a
subsidiary of any company whose Common Stock is publicly traded (“Holding
Company”), and the Investor receives shares of Common Stock of such Holding
Company, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall terminate
upon such Holding Company assuming this Agreement, which may be done without
the
consent or approval of Investor.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) A
person
or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such
person or entity owns of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company
receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more
persons
or entities 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 required or permitted to be given under the terms hereof shall be
sent
by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) or delivered
personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery service)
or
by facsimile and shall be effective five days after being placed in the mail,
if
mailed by regular United States mail, or upon receipt, if delivered personally
or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery service) or by
facsimile, in each case addressed to a party. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
12
If
to the
Company:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Smart
Online, Inc.
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxx 00000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
E-mail:
xxxxxx@xx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
With
copies to:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, P.A.
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx 00000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@x0xxxx.xxx
If
to an
Investor:
to
the
address set forth immediately below such Investor’s name on the signature pages
to the Subscription Agreement, or on the address set forth immediately below
such Investor’s name on the agreement entered into pursuant to Section 9 of this
Agreement.
(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) THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE ENFORCED, GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO
BE
PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICT OF LAWS.
(e) In
the
event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under
any
applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed
inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed
modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof
which
may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
(f) This
Agreement constitutes 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 supersede all prior agreements and understandings
among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof.
13
(g) Subject
to the requirements of Section 9 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding
upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and
assigns.
(h) The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not
form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
(i) This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement
and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party
and
delivered to the other party. 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.
(j) 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.
(k) Except
as
otherwise provided herein, all consents and other determinations to be made
by
the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by Investors holding
a
majority of the Registrable Securities, determined as if the all options,
warrants and convertible securities then outstanding have been issued and/or
converted into Registrable Securities.
(l) The
Company and each Investor acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations
hereunder will cause irreparable harm by vitiating the intent and purpose
of the
transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the parties acknowledge that
the
remedy at law for breach of its obligations under this Agreement will be
inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any
of
the provisions under this Agreement, that the other parties shall be entitled,
in addition to all other available remedies in law or in equity, and in addition
to the penalties assessable herein, to an injunction or injunctions restraining,
preventing or curing any breach of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof, without the necessity of showing economic
loss
and without any bond or other security being required.
(m) 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.
(n) No
Investor may bring any legal or other action or proceeding for breach of
this
Agreement or arising out of any matter related to this Agreement, unless
the
Investors who own a majority of the Registrable Securities consent to the
bringing of such action. Any claim may be settled by the Company and the
Investors who own a majority of the Registrable Securities.
[The
Remainder of this Page is Blank.]
14
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the undersigned Investors have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date on the first page of this
Agreement.
SMART
ONLINE, INC.
By:
______________________________
Name:
___________________________
Title:
____________________________
INVESTOR:
By:_________________________________
Name:
______________________________
Address:
____________________________
____________________________________
Telephone:___________________________
Facsimile:___________________________
Email:_______________________________
Initial
Number of Registrable Securities: _______________ Shares
15