AGREEMENT AND PLANS OF MERGERS
dated
March
15,
2006
by
and
among
Accoona
Corp., a Delaware corporation,
as
the
Parent,
SN
Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation,
ZS
Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation,
as
the
Merger Subs,
Skynet
Communications Corp.
a
New
York corporation,
Zylonet
Systems Inc.
a
New
York corporation,
as
the
Companies,
the
Shareholders named herein
and
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
as
Representative
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS
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1
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1.1.
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Definitions
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1
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ARTICLE
II THE CLOSINGS
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8
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2.1.
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Effective
Time of the Mergers
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8
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2.2.
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Closings
.
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9
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2.3.
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Effects
of the Mergers.
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9
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2.4.
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Effect
on Capital Stock
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10
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2.5.
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Computation
of Merger Consideration
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11
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2.6.
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Procedure
to Establish Net Profits, Indebtedness, Tangible Personal Property
and
Minimum Required EBITDA.
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14
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ARTICLE
III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
COMPANIES AND SHAREHOLDERS
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16
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3.1.
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Corporate
Existence and Power
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16
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3.2.
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Corporate
Authorization.
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16
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3.3.
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Charter
Documents; Legality
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17
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|||||
3.4.
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Capitalization
and Ownership of the Companies
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17
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3.5.
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Subsidiaries
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17
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3.6.
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Affiliates
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17
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3.7.
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Assumed
Names
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18
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|||||
3.8.
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Governmental
Authorization
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18
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|||||
3.9.
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Consents
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18
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3.10.
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Financial
Statements.
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18
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3.11.
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Accounts
Receivable
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20
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|||||
3.12.
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Books
and Records.
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20
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3.13.
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Absence
of Certain Changes.
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20
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3.14.
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Real
Property.
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21
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|||||
3.15.
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Tangible
Personal Property.
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21
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3.16.
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Intellectual
Property.
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22
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3.17.
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Inventory.
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22
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3.18.
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Suppliers
and Business Relationships.
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23
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3.19.
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Litigation
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24
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3.20.
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Contracts.
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24
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3.21.
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Licenses
and Permits
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26
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3.22.
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
26
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3.23.
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Pre-payments
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26
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3.24.
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Employees
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26
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|||||
3.25.
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Compliance
with Labor Laws and Agreements
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26
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3.26.
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Pension
and Benefit Plans
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27
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3.27.
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Employment
Matters
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27
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3.28.
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Tax
Matters
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28
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3.29.
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Finders’
Fees
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28
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3.30.
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Investment
Representations.
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29
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i
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Page
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3.31.
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Software.
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33
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3.32.
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Business
Operations; Servers.
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34
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3.33.
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Powers
of Attorney and Suretyships
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35
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3.34.
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Other
Information
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35
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ARTICLE
IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
PARENT
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35
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4.1.
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Due
Incorporation
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35
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4.2.
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Corporate
Authorization
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35
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4.3.
|
Governmental
Authorization
|
36
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4.4.
|
No
Violation
|
36
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4.5.
|
Charter
Documents
|
36
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4.6.
|
Consents
|
36
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|||||
4.7.
|
Issuance
of Parent Class C Common Stock
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37
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4.8.
|
Finders’
Fees
|
37
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4.9.
|
Other
Information
|
37
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ARTICLE
V COVENANTS OF THE COMPANIES AND THE
SHAREHOLDERS PENDING CLOSING
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37
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5.1.
|
Conduct
of the Business
|
37
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5.2.
|
Access
to Information.
|
40
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5.3.
|
Notices
of Certain Events
|
40
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ARTICLE VI COVENANTS
OF THE COMPANIES AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
|
40
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6.1.
|
Confidentiality
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40
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6.2.
|
Conduct
of the Business
|
41
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6.3.
|
Exclusivity
|
42
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|||||
6.4.
|
Reporting
and Compliance With Law
|
42
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|||||
6.5.
|
Injunctive
Relief
|
42
|
|||||
6.6.
|
Covenants
with respect to Parent Class C Common Stock.
|
43
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|||||
ARTICLE
VII COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES
HERETO
|
45
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||||||
7.1.
|
Best
Efforts; Further Assurances
|
45
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|||||
7.2.
|
Confidentiality
of Transaction
|
45
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|||||
7.3.
|
Best
Efforts to Obtain Consents
|
45
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|||||
7.4.
|
Tax
Matters.
|
46
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ARTICLE
VIII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
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47
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8.1.
|
Condition
to the Obligations of Parent, Merger Subs and the
Companies
|
47
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|||||
8.2.
|
Conditions
to Obligations of Parent and Merger Subs
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48
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8.3.
|
Conditions
to Obligations of Companies
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50
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ii
Page
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ARTICLE
IX RELIANCE ON REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
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51
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9.1.
|
Reliance
on Representations and Warranties of each Company and the
Shareholders
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51
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9.2.
|
Reliance
on Representations and Warranties of Parent
|
51
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ARTICLE
X INDEMNIFICATION
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52
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10.1.
|
Indemnification
of Parent, Merger Subs and Surviving Corporations.
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52
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10.2.
|
Indemnification
of Shareholders
|
53
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10.3.
|
Procedure
|
53
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10.4.
|
Periodic
Payments
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55
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10.5.
|
Right
of Set Off
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55
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10.6.
|
Payment
of Indemnification by Shareholders
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55
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10.7.
|
Insurance
|
56
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|||||
10.8.
|
Survival
of Indemnification Rights
|
56
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ARTICLE
XI DISPUTE RESOLUTION
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56
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11.1.
|
Arbitration.
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56
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11.2.
|
Waiver
of Jury Trial; Exemplary Damages
|
58
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11.3.
|
Attorneys'
Fees
|
58
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ARTICLE
XII TERMINATION
|
58
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12.1.
|
Termination
Without Default
|
58
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12.2.
|
Termination
Upon Default.
|
58
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12.3.
|
Survival
|
59
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|||||
ARTICLE
XIII MISCELLANEOUS
|
59
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||||||
13.1.
|
Notices
|
59
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|||||
13.2.
|
Amendments;
No Waivers.
|
60
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|||||
13.3.
|
Ambiguities
|
60
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13.4.
|
Publicity
|
60
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13.5.
|
Expenses
|
60
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|||||
13.6.
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
61
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13.7.
|
Governing
Law
|
61
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13.8.
|
Counterparts;
Effectiveness
|
61
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13.9.
|
Entire
Agreement
|
61
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13.10.
|
Severability
|
61
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13.11.
|
Captions
|
61
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13.12.
|
Construction.
|
61
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13.13.
|
Shareholders’
Representative.
|
62
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iii
AGREEMENT
AND PLANS OF MERGERS,
dated
as of March 15, 2006 (this “Agreement”), made by and among Accoona Corp., a
Delaware corporation (“Parent”), SN Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“SN Merger Sub”), ZS Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“ZS Merger Sub” and
together with SN Merger Sub, “Merger Subs” and each individually a “Merger
Sub”), Skynet Communications Corp., a New York corporation (“Skynet”), Zylonet
Systems Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“Zylonet” and together with Skynet, the
“Companies”, and each individually a “Company”), the persons listed on
Schedule
I
hereto
(each individually a “Shareholder” and collectively, the “Shareholders”) and
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx (“Xxxxxxxx”), in his capacity as Representative (as hereinafter
defined). Each of Parent, Merger Subs, the Companies and the Shareholders may
be
individually referred to herein as a “Party”, or collectively, the
“Parties”.
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1. Definitions.
The
following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“Accounts
Receivable” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.11.
“Action”
means any legal action, suit, investigation, hearing or proceeding, including
any audit for taxes or otherwise.
“Additional
Agreements” means each of the Employment Agreements and Restrictive Covenants
Agreements.
“Adjusted
Tangible Personal Property” means all Tangible Personal Property plus any cash
and cash equivalents, including any marketable securities (equal to the closing
price on the third business day prior to the Closing Date) (except for common
stock of Dynamic Marketing, Inc.), prepaid expenses, deposits and accounts
receivable (including credit card receivables but excluding any loans payable
and net of a reserve for doubtful accounts of 1%).
“Affiliate”
means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such other Person.
With
respect to any natural person, the term Affiliate shall also include any member
of said person's immediate family, any family limited partnership for said
person and any trust, voting or otherwise, of which said person is a trustee
or
of which said person or any of said person's immediate family is a beneficiary.
For avoidance of any doubt (i) with respect to all periods prior to the
Closing, each Shareholder and Buyer's Edge is an Affiliate of the Companies,
and
(ii) with respect to all periods subsequent to the Closing, Parent is an
Affiliate of the Companies.
“Arbitrator”
has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
“Asset
Purchase Agreement” means the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof by an among, Parent, BE Acquisition Corp., Buyer's Edge and the
Members.
“Authority”
shall mean any governmental, regulatory or administrative body, agency or
authority, any court or judicial authority, any arbitrator, or any public,
private or industry regulatory authority, whether international, national,
Federal, state, or local.
“Books
and Records” means all books and records, ledgers, employee records, customer
lists, files, correspondence, and other records of every kind (whether written,
electronic, or otherwise embodied) owned or used by a Company or in which a
Company's assets, business, or transactions are otherwise
reflected.
“Business”
means all services engaged in by the Companies including, internet retail sales
and related services.
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which
commercial banking institutions in New York are not open for
business.
“Buyers
Edge” means Internet Media Group, LLC, a New York limited liability
company.
“Charter
Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
“Closings”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Closing
Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Collection
Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
“Companies”
has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Company”
has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Company
Consents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9.
“Contingent
Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(c).
“Contingent
Payment Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
“Contracts”
means Real Property Leases and all the other contracts, agreements, leases
(including equipment leases and capital leases), licenses, commitments, client
contracts, sales and purchase orders and other instruments to which each
respective Company is a party or by which any of any Company's assets are bound
and all rights and benefits thereunder, including all rights and benefits
thereunder with respect to all cash and other property of third parties under
such Company's dominion or control.
“Constituent
Corporations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
2
“EBITDA”
means earnings with respect to any Person before interest income and expense,
income Taxes (whether federal, state or local, and domestic or foreign),
depreciation and amortization, and in each case shall be determined pursuant
to
GAAP on a consolidated basis (but after subtracting any minority interests)
consistent with Parent's accounting practices; provided,
that in
making such determinations advertising costs shall be expensed as incurred
and
neither the proceeds from nor any dividends or refunds with respect to, nor
any
increases in the cash surrender value of, any life insurance policy under which
such Person, or any subsidiary thereof, is the named beneficiary or otherwise
entitled to recovery, shall be included as income, and the premium expense
related to any such life insurance policy shall not be treated as an expense;
provided further that the amount of earnings for the relevant period shall
only
be from the sale of electronic products and other goods through the Websites
and
telephone orders, and, in the case of Skynet, its retail store, amounts paid
for
services related to the foregoing, including for coverage for repairs or
warranties, special handling charges, restocking fees, supplier rebates, spiffs
and co-op and marketing funds from suppliers, payments for advertising received
by such Person, net of all factoring charges and commissions, other rebates,
discounts, refunds, credits, cancellations and similar items and shall not
include: any amounts until the cash with respect thereto is received, or, in
the
case of checks or money orders, until such amounts have cleared (provided such
cash is collected within, or within 30 days after the termination of, the
applicable earnings period); reserves released by banks or credit card
companies; commissions, fees or similar payments made by banks or credit card
companies, whether for signing up customers or otherwise; cancellation fees;
any
sales until the expiration date for the return period has passed and no notice
of return had been given (provided once such return period has passed without
notice of return then the sale will be counted as of the date of the sale,
rather than the date of the expiration of the return period); and sales tax
and
any other pass through items and shall be after subtracting all costs and
expenses paid or payable by the Companies with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
“Effective
Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Employment
Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(1).
“ERISA”
means the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from
time to time.
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Excluded
Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
“Financial
Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10.
“GAAP”
means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
“GCL”
means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as
amended.
“Holdback
Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(i).
3
“Indebtedness”
means with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person for
borrowed money, or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind (including
amounts by reason of overdrafts and amounts owed by reason of letter of credit
reimbursement agreements) including with respect thereto, all interests, fees
and costs, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under
conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property
purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed
as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than accounts
payable to creditors for goods and services incurred in the ordinary course
of
business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder
of
such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any lien or security interest on property owned or acquired by such Person,
whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) all
obligations of such Person under leases required to be accounted for as capital
leases under GAAP, and (g) all guarantees by such Person other than intercompany
guarantees.
“Indemnification
Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
“Indemnified
Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
“Indemnifying
Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
“Initial
Payment” is the aggregate of the consideration paid to the Shareholders,
pursuant to Sections 2.5(a)(i) and (ii) and (b)(i) and (ii).
“Initial
Public Offering” means the registration of any class of Parent’s securities with
the SEC under the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
“Intellectual
Property Right” means any trademark, service xxxx, registration thereof or
application for registration therefor, trade name, license, invention, patent,
patent application, trade secret, trade dress, know-how, copyright,
copyrightable materials, copyright registration, application for copyright
registration, software programs, data bases, the “Skynet” or “Zylonet” name and
all derivations thereof, u.r.l.s, and any other type of proprietary intellectual
property right, and all embodiments and fixations thereof and related
documentation, registrations and franchises and all additions, improvements
and
accessions thereto, in each case which is owned or licensed or filed by the
respective Company or used or held for use in the Business, whether registered
or unregistered or domestic or foreign.
“Interim
Balance Sheets” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10.
“Interim
Parent Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.
“Labor
Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.26(a).
“Law”
means any domestic or foreign Federal, state, municipality or local law,
statute, ordinance, code, rule or regulation or common law.
“Lien”
means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security
interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, including any
agreement to give any of the foregoing and any conditional sale and including
any voting agreement or proxy.
“Loss(es)”
has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
4
“Material
Adverse Change” means a material adverse change in the business, assets,
condition (financial or otherwise), liabilities, and results of operations
or
prospects of the Business individually or as a whole; provided,
however,
without
prejudicing whether any other matter qualifies as a Material Adverse Change,
any
matter involving a loss or payment in excess of $200,000 shall constitute a
Material Adverse Change, per se.
“Material
Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, assets,
condition (financial or otherwise), liabilities, results of operations or
prospects of the Business individually or as a whole; provided, however,
without
prejudicing whether any other matter qualifies as a Material Adverse Effect,
any
matter involving a loss or payment in excess of $200,000 shall constitute a
Material Adverse Effect, per se.
“Members”
means each of the holders of membership interests of Buyer's Edge.
“Merger”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“Merger
Consideration” means the aggregate of the SN Merger Consideration and the ZS
Merger Consideration.
“Minimum
Required EBITDA” means the cumulative EBITDA of the Companies plus Buyer's Edge,
taken as a whole, for the period of October 1, 2005 through the Closing
Date.
“Net
Profit” means, with respect to the Surviving Corporations, on a combined basis
and after eliminating all intercompany transactions between them, and in each
case determined pursuant to GAAP on a consolidated basis consistent with
Parent's practice, revenues minus, without duplication, (i) all operating
expenses, (ii) interest expense, fees and other charges on all borrowings,
advances and intercompany balances, (iii) salaries, bonuses, amounts payable
or
to be contributed under all employee plans and other compensation and benefits,
including commissions, finder's fees, referral fees and other incentive payments
paid to employees and consultants, (iv) rent and other occupancy expenses and
general administrative costs, (v) depreciation and amortization, (vi) Taxes
(other than Taxes payable with respect to the net income of the Business whether
federal, state or local, and domestic or foreign), (vii) charges for any
services performed by Parent or any of its Affiliates, but only to the extent
consented to by the Representative, (viii) any write-offs, writedowns, reserves
and adjustments and (ix) minus all minority interests; provided,
that in
making such determinations the proceeds from any increases in the cash surrender
value of, any life insurance policy under which the Surviving Corporations,
or
any subsidiary thereof, is the named beneficiary or otherwise entitled to
recovery, shall be included as income, and the premium expense related to any
such life insurance policy shall not be treated as an expense; provided,
further,
that
the amount of earnings for the relevant period shall only be from the sale
of
electronic products and other goods through the Websites and telephone orders,
payments for advertising received by the Surviving Corporations, and, in the
case of SN Merger Sub, Skynet's retail store, amounts paid for any services
related to the foregoing, including for coverage for repairs or warranties,
special handling charges, restocking fees, supplier rebates, spiffs and co-op
and marketing funds from suppliers, net of all factoring charges and
commissions, other rebates, discounts, refunds, credits, cancellations and
similar items and shall not include: any amounts until the cash with respect
thereto is received, or, in the case of checks or money orders, until such
amounts have cleared (provided such cash is collected within, or within 30
days
after, the termination of, the applicable earnings period); reserves released
by
banks or credit card companies; commissions, fees or similar payments made
by
banks or credit card companies, whether for signing up customers or otherwise;
cancellation fees; any sales until the expiration date for the return period
has
passed and no notice of return had been given (provided once such return period
has passed without notice of return then the sale will be counted as of the
date
of the sale, rather than the date of the expiration of the return period);
and
sales tax and any other pass through items and shall be after subtracting all
costs and expenses paid or payable by the Companies with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; it being understood that no
accounts receivable as of the Closing Date (including the payment thereof)
are
taken into account in calculating Net Profit.
5
“Orders”
means any decree, order, judgment, writ, award, injunction, rule or consent
of
or by an Authority.
“Outside
Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.
“Parent
Class C Common Stock” means the Class C Common Stock, $.0001 par value per
share, of Parent.
“Parent
Consents” means the consents, waivers and amendments to be obtained by Parent
and its Affiliates with respect to the execution, delivery and performance
by
Parent and its Affiliates of this Agreement and all related matters between
Parent and its Affiliates and the Shareholders.
“Parent
Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.
“Permits”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20.
“Person”
means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company,
an association, a trust or other entity or organization, including a government,
domestic or foreign, or political subdivision thereof, the Companies or an
agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Purchaser
Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
“Publicly
Traded” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(f).
“Real
Property” means, collectively, all real properties and interests therein
(including the right to use), together with all buildings, fixtures, trade
fixtures, plant and other improvements located thereon or attached thereto;
all
rights arising out of use thereof (including air, water, oil and mineral
rights); and all subleases, franchises, licenses, permits, easements and
rights-of-way which are appurtenant thereto.
“Real
Property Leases” means the leases with respect to each Company's office, retail
and warehouse space at 000/000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, 0000
XxxXxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx and 0000 Xxxxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx
00000, together with all fixtures and improvements erected on the premises
leased thereby.
6
“Receiving
Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(f)(ii).
“Representative”
means Benzaken, as appointed pursuant to Section 13.13., by the Shareholders
as
their true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact.
“Restrictive
Covenants” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7.
“Restrictive
Covenants Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(k).
“Rights
Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(f)(ii).
“SEC”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Shares”
means the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Companies.
“Shareholder”
and “Shareholders” have the respective meanings set forth in the
Preamble.
“Shareholder
Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.
“Skynet
Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
“Skynet
Share” means seventy-five percent (75%).
“SN
Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“SN
Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(a)(i).
“Stock
Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“Surviving
Corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“Tangible
Personal Property” shall mean all tangible assets owned by either Company,
including inventories, machinery, equipment, trucks, automobiles, furniture,
supplies, spare parts, computers, hardware, tools, stores and other tangible
personal property or interest therein (including the right to use), other than
the Books and Records.
“Tax(es)”
means any federal, state, local or foreign tax, charge, fee, levy, deficiency,
or other assessment of any kind or nature imposed by any governmental authority
(including without limitation any income (net or gross), alternative minimum,
gross receipts, profits, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise, license,
withholding, employment, social security, workers compensation, unemployment
compensation, transfer, excise, import, real property, personal property,
intangible property, occupancy, recording, minimum, environmental or estimated
tax), including any liability therefor as a transferee (including without
limitation under Section 6901 of the Code or similar provision of applicable
law), as a result of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or similar provision
of applicable law or as a result of any Tax sharing indemnification or similar
agreement, together with any interest, penalty and additions to tax imposed
with
respect thereto.
7
“Tax
Return” means any return, declaration, information return, claim for refund or
credit, report or any similar statement, and any amendment thereto, including
any attached schedule and supporting information filed or required to be filed
with any governmental authority in connection with the determination,
assessment, collection or payment of a Tax or the administration of any law,
rule or regulation relating to any Tax.
“Third
Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
“UCC”
shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, or any
corresponding or succeeding provisions of Laws of the State of New
York,
or any
corresponding or succeeding provisions of Laws, in each case as the same may
have been and hereafter may be adopted, supplemented, modified, amended,
restated or replaced from time to time.
“Underlying
Parent Stock” means the Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share, of Parent
issued or issuable upon conversion of Parent Class C Common Stock.
“Website(s)”
shall mean all of the internet domain names for the Companies set forth on
Schedule 3.7.
“ZS
Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“ZS
Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(b)(i).
“Zylonet
Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).
“Zylonet
Share” means twenty-five percent (25%).
ARTICLE
II
THE
CLOSINGS
2.1. Effective
Time of the Mergers.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, as early as practicable on the Closing
Date
and assuming that all conditions precedent to the obligations of each of the
Parties to comply with the provisions of this Section 2.1 have been met, and
immediately following delivery of the documents referred to in Article VIII,
Parent shall (i) cause the SN Certificate of Merger in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit
2.1-A
to be
submitted to the New York Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions
of Article 9 of the New York Business Corporation Law and to the Delaware
Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of Section 252 of the
GCL,
and (ii) cause the ZN Certificate of Merger in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit
2.1-B
to be
submitted to the New Jersey Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions
of Section 14A of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act and to the Delaware
Secretary of State in accordance with Section 252 of the GCL, and the Mergers
shall become effective (the “Effective Time”) upon the last to occur of such
filings. For accounting purposes the Parties agree to treat the transactions
as
effective as of 12:01 a.m. on __________, 2006.
8
2.2. Closings
The
closings of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closings”)
shall take place at the offices of Parent in New Jersey, commencing at 10:00
a.m. local time on the day following the date on which all the conditions set
forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived (other than conditions
with
respect to actions the respective Parties will take at the Closings itself)
or
such other date as the Parties may mutually determine and on which the Closings
actually occur (the “Closing Date”); provided,
however
that the
Closings shall not take place subsequent to the Outside Closing
Date.
2.3. Effects
of the Mergers.
(a) At
the
Effective Time, (i) the separate existence of the Companies will cease and
Skynet will be merged with and into SN Merger Sub with SN Merger Sub being
the
survivor (the “SN Merger”) and Zylonet will be merged with and into ZS Merger
Sub with ZS Merger Sub being the survivor (the “ZS Merger”) (the Merger Subs and
the Companies are sometimes referred to herein as the “Constituent
Corporations”; with respect to periods after the Effective Time, each Merger Sub
is sometimes referred to herein as the “Surviving Corporation”; and each such
merger is referred to individually herein as the “Merger” and collectively as
the “Mergers”); (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation of each Merger Sub in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of that Surviving Corporation, provided, however, that the name
of
the Surviving Corporation in the SN Merger shall be changed to SN Commerce
Corp.
upon the filings of the SN Certificate of Merger and the name of the Surviving
Corporation in the ZS Merger shall be changed to ZS Commerce Corp. upon the
filings of the ZS Certificate of Merger; and (iii) the By-laws of each Merger
Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the By-laws
of
the applicable Surviving Corporation, except that they shall each automatically
be amended to reflect said new name of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) At
and
after the Effective Time, title to all property owned by the applicable
Constituent Corporations shall vest in the applicable Surviving Corporation
without reversion or impairment, and the applicable Surviving Corporation shall
automatically have all of the liabilities of the applicable Constituent
Corporations
(i) Immediately
after the Effective Time, the members of the Board of Directors of each
Surviving Corporation shall be the same as immediately prior to the Effective
Time; provided,
that
immediately after the Effective Time, Benzaken shall be appointed to the Board
of Directors of each Surviving Corporation.
(c) Immediately
after the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of each Surviving Corporation
shall name the following persons as officers of each Surviving Corporation,
provided however, subject only to the Employment Agreements, neither Parent
nor
either Surviving Corporation is under any obligation to maintain any person
in
any such position:
(i) Benzaken
- President and Chief Operating Officer;
(ii) Such
other persons as the Board of Directors of the Merger Subs or the Surviving
Corporations shall designate.
9
(d) For
federal income tax purposes it is intended that each Merger qualify separately
as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D)
of the Code and that this Agreement constitutes with respect to each Merger
a
separate plan of reorganization for such purposes. The Parties acknowledge
and
agree that the fair market value of a share of the Parent Class C Common Stock
as of the date hereof and the Closing Date is $3.50 and shall report it as
such
for all purposes with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, including
for tax purposes. Each of the parties shall treat each Merger consistently
with
the foregoing, including filing the information and maintaining the records
required by Treasury Regulations § 1.368-3, and shall not take any position
inconsistent therewith.
2.4. Effect
on Capital Stock.
(a) As
of the
Effective Time, by virtue of the SN Merger and without any action on the part
of
the holder of any shares of Skynet Common Stock or capital stock of SN Merger
Sub:
(i) Capital
Stock of Skynet.
Each
issued and outstanding share of Skynet Common Stock shall be converted into
the
right to receive (i) the Initial Consideration, and (ii) the Contingent Payment,
if applicable, as shall be determined pursuant to Section 2.5(a) (the “SN Merger
Consideration”). All such Skynet Common Stock shall be cancelled, and each
holder of a certificate representing any such Skynet Common Stock shall
thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such Skynet Common Stock
except the right to receive the SN Merger Consideration pursuant to the terms
hereof. Any shares of Skynet Common Stock held as treasury shares shall be
canceled and not be converted into the right to receive any
consideration.
(ii) Capital
Stock of SN Merger Sub.
Each
issued and outstanding share of the capital stock of SN Merger Sub shall remain
outstanding.
(b) As
of the
Effective Time, by virtue of the ZS Merger and without any action on the part
of
the holder of any shares of Zylonet Common Stock or capital stock of ZS Merger
Sub:
(i) Capital
Stock of Zylonet.
Each
issued and outstanding share of Zylonet Common Stock shall be converted into
the
right to receive (i) the Initial Consideration, and (ii) the Contingent Payment,
if applicable, as shall be determined pursuant to Section 2.5(b) (the “ZS Merger
Consideration”). All Zylonet Common Stock shall be cancelled, and each holder of
a certificate representing any Zylonet Common Stock shall thereafter cease
to
have any rights with respect to such Zylonet Common Stock except the right
to
receive the ZS Merger Consideration pursuant to the terms hereof. Any shares
of
Zylonet Common Stock held as treasury shares shall be canceled and not be
converted into the right to receive any consideration.
(ii) Capital
Stock of ZS Merger Sub.
Each
issued and outstanding share of the capital stock of ZS Merger Sub shall remain
outstanding.
10
2.5. Computation
of Merger Consideration.
(a) Conversion
of Skynet Common Stock.
At the
Effective Time, each share of the common stock of Skynet, no par value (the
“Skynet Common Stock”), outstanding immediately before the Effective Time, by
virtue of the SN Merger and without any further action on the part of the
holders thereof, shall be converted into the right to receive:
(i) An
amount
in cash equal to the Skynet Share multiplied by $2,000,000 and such product
divided by the number of shares of Skynet Common Stock outstanding immediately
before the Effective Time;
(ii) A
number
of shares of Parent Class C Common Stock equal to the Skynet Share multiplied
by
2,285,712 and such product divided by the number of shares of Skynet Common
Stock outstanding immediately before the Effective Time; and
(iii) Such
portion of both of the cash and Parent Class C Common Stock constituting the
Contingent Payment, when and if payable, in accordance with Section 2.5(c)
as
equals in each case such amount of cash and such number of shares of Parent
Class C Common Stock multiplied by the Skynet Share and each such products
divided by the number of shares of Skynet Common Stock outstanding immediately
before the Effective Time.
(b) Conversion
of Zylonet Common Stock.
At the
Effective Time, each share of the common stock of Zylonet, no par value (the
“Zylonet Common Stock”), outstanding immediately before the Effective Time, by
virtue of the ZS Merger and without any further action on the part of the
holders thereof, shall be converted into the right to receive:
(i) An
amount
in cash equal to the Zylonet Share multiplied by $2,000,000 and such product
divided by the number of shares of Zylonet Common Stock outstanding immediately
before the Effective Time;
(ii) A
number
of shares of Parent Class C Common Stock equal to the Zylonet Share multiplied
by 2,285,712 and such product divided by the number of shares of Zylonet Common
Stock outstanding immediately before the Effective Time; and
(iii) Such
portion of both of the cash and Parent Class C Common Stock constituting the
Contingent Payment, when and if payable, in accordance with Section 2.5(c)
as
equals in each case such amount of cash and such number of shares of Parent
Class C Common Stock multiplied by the Zylonet Share and each such products
divided by the number of shares of Zylonet Common Stock outstanding immediately
before the Effective Time.
(c) Contingent
Payment.
(i) Subject
to the remaining provisions of this Section 2.5, if the Surviving Corporations
achieve aggregate Net Profits:
11
(A) of
exactly $1,500,000 for the twelve-month period beginning on the first day of
the
month immediately following the Closing Date (except if the Closing Date is
the
first day of the month, in which case, the Closing Date), the Shareholders
shall
be entitled to receive in the aggregate with respect to the shares of Skynet
Common Stock and Zylonet Common Stock held immediately prior to the Effective
Time: (1) $1,000,000 in additional cash plus (2) an additional 285,714 shares
of
Parent Class C Common Stock, such amount to be allocated between the two Mergers
and payable per share of Skynet Common Stock and Zylonet Common Stock as set
forth in Sections 2.5(a)(iii) and 2.5(b)(iii), respectively; or
(B) greater
than $1,500,000 but less than $2,400,000 for the twelve-month period beginning
on the first day of the month immediately following the Closing Date (except
if
the Closing Date is the first day of the month, in which case the Closing Date),
the Shareholders shall be entitled to receive in the aggregate with respect
to
the shares of Skynet Common Stock and Zylonet Common Stock held immediately
prior to the Effective Time: (1) (x) $1,000,000, plus (y) $1,000,000 multiplied
by the quotient of (I) such aggregate Net Profits less $1,500,000 divided by
(II) $900,000 plus (2) (x) an additional 285,714 shares of Parent Class C Common
Stock, plus (y) such number of shares of Parent Class C Common Stock as equals
285,714 multiplied by the quotient of (I) such aggregate Net Profits less
$1,500,000 divided by (II) $900,000, such amount to be allocated between the
two
Mergers and payable per share of Skynet Common Stock and Zylonet Common Stock
as
set forth in Sections 2.5(a)(iii) and 2.5(b)(iii), respectively; or
(C) of
at
least $2,400,000 for the twelve-month period beginning with the first day of
the
month immediately following the Closing Date (except if the Closing Date is
the
first day of the month, in which case the Closing Date), the Shareholders shall
be entitled to receive in the aggregate with respect to the shares of Skynet
Common Stock and Zylonet Common Stock held immediately prior to the Effective
Time: (1) $2,000,000 in additional cash plus (2) an additional 571,428 shares
of
Parent Class C Common Stock, such amount to be allocated between the two Mergers
and payable per share of Skynet Common Stock and Zylonet Common Stock as set
forth in Sections 2.5(a)(iii) and 2.5(b)(iii), respectively;
provided,
that,
if the Surviving Corporations achieve aggregate Net Profits of less than
$1,500,000 for the twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the month
immediately following the Closing Date, the Shareholders shall not be entitled
to receive any further payments as part of the Merger
Consideration;
(ii) The
payment described in this Section 2.5(c) is referred to herein as the
“Contingent Payment.” The period for which performance for the Contingent
Payment is made is referred to as the “Contingent Payment Period”. The
Contingent Payment shall be paid by April 15, 2007.
(d) All
payments due to each Shareholder hereunder for the cash portion of the Merger
Consideration, shall be payable in United States Dollars and shall be delivered
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account of such
Shareholder in New York City as shall have been designated in writing by such
Shareholder to Parent at least two Business Days prior to the scheduled payment
date therefor. The stock portion of the Merger Consideration shall be evidenced
by certificates registered in the names of the Shareholders and dated the
issuance date. No interest shall accrue on or be payable with respect to the
Contingent Payment. All Contingent Payments are made subject to confirmation
based on Parent's subsequent review of the financials for the applicable payment
period.
12
(e) No
Fractional Shares.
No
certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Parent Class C Common
Stock will be issued, and such fractional share interests will not entitle
the
owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Parent. Any
fractional shares will be rounded to the nearest whole share.
(f) Parent
Class C Common Stock Transfer Restrictions; Registration.
Any
Parent Class C Common Stock distributed as Merger Consideration shall be subject
to the restrictions contained in Sections 3.30(v) and (w).
(g) All
cash
payments as part of the Merger Consideration will be rounded to the nearest
whole dollar.
(h)
(i) In
the
event that Parent waives its conditions to Closing set forth in Section 8.2(o)
and (p) herein, then, notwithstanding such waiver, to the extent that as of
the
Closing the Companies and Buyer's Edge, taken as a whole, have Indebtedness
or
the Companies' and Buyer's Edges' aggregate Adjusted Tangible Personal Property,
taken as a whole, do not exceed their aggregate liabilities by at least the
Minimum Required EBITDA, the Shareholders jointly and severally shall pay to
Parent within five (5) Business Days of the notification of the calculation
an
aggregate amount in cash equal to such Indebtedness or the shortfall against
the
Minimum Required EBITDA; provided,
however,
Parent,
may at its option, subject to Section 2.3(h)(ii), reduce the amount of the
Merger Consideration by the amount equal to such Indebtedness and/or such
shortfall (such reduction to be applied first to the Initial Payment and then
to
the Contingent Payment and, in each case, first to the cash portion hereof
and
in proportion between the SN Merger Consideration and the ZS Merger
Consideration in proportion to the Skynet Share and the Zylonet
Share).
(ii) The
initial determination of whether any payment or withholding is due under Section
2.3(h) or (i) shall be made by Parent in good faith and, subject to Section
2.6,
absent manifest error, shall be binding and conclusive on all parties hereto.
(i) Holdback.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary and subject to the conditions set
forth
below and in any event subject to Article X, Parent shall hold in escrow 100,000
shares of Parent Class C Common Stock (together with any dividends or other
distributions with respect thereto, the “Holdback Amount”) of the Merger
Consideration (allocated among the Shareholders on a pro rata basis based upon
their percentage interests in the Companies) and shall issue but not deliver
the
same to the Shareholders at Closing. The Shareholders shall deliver at Closing
duly endorsed stock powers to Parent for such Holdback Amount. For the purposes
of determining the release and payment, if any, of any portion of the Holdback
Amount to the Shareholders the following shall apply:
13
(i) Fifty
percent (50%) of the Holdback Amount not retained to satisfy any Companies'
or
any Shareholders' obligations pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof shall be delivered
to the Shareholders on January 2, 2008 unless prior to such time a Purchaser
Indemnitee has delivered an Indemnification Notice pursuant to Section 10.3
below.
(ii) Any
remaining balance of the Holdback Amount shall be delivered to the Shareholders
on January 2, 2009 unless prior to such time a Purchaser Indemnitee has
delivered an Indemnification Notice pursuant to Section 10.3.
(iii) In
the
event any Holdback Amount remains in escrow after January 2, 2009 due to the
delivery of an Indemnification Notice prior to such time, any such remaining
balance of the Holdback Amount, less any shares retained to satisfy any
Companies' or any Shareholders' obligations pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof,
shall be delivered to the Shareholders upon the final resolution and
satisfaction of any such Losses (as such term is defined in Section
10.1).
2.6. Procedure
to Establish Net Profits, Indebtedness, Adjusted Tangible Personal Property
and
Minimum Required EBITDA.
(a) Within
90
days after the end of the Contingent Payment Period, Parent will notify the
Representative of the amount of Net Profits for such period, confirmed by the
regular independent public accountants of Parent, as calculated in accordance
with this Agreement. The Representative shall have the right, at its sole
expense, to cause the relevant portions of the books and records of the
Surviving Corporations for such fiscal period to be reviewed by one independent
certified public accounting firm of its choosing to verify or dispute the Net
Profits amount set forth in the Parent notice. The Representative must dispute
the Net Profits calculation within fifteen (15) days of receiving such
calculation from Parent. If such calculation is not disputed within such period,
the Representative will be deemed to have accepted the calculation. If by the
120th
day
after the end of such fiscal period the accountants for Parent and for the
Representative are unable to agree upon a Net Profits calculation, the
accountants for Parent and the Representative shall provide their calculation
of
Net Profits to a third-party accountant mutually agreed upon by the accountants
for Parent and the Representative who shall make a determination as to the
amount of Net Profits, which determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. The expenses for such accountant shall be paid for by the party whose
calculation of Net Profits was most different from the calculation of such
third-party accountants, as determined by such third-party accountant in its
reasonable discretion.
(b) With
respect to Net Profits, if any Contingent Payment is received by the
Shareholders, but Parent's accountants determine, based on a review of the
Surviving Corporation's books and records, that the Shareholders were not
entitled to have received such payment, Parent shall give notice to the
Representative of such determination by Parent's accountants, which will include
the related calculations on which such determination was based and a demand
for
the return of the Contingent Payment. The Representative shall have the right,
at its sole expense, to cause the relevant portions of the books and records
of
Surviving Corporations for such fiscal period to be reviewed by one independent
certified public accounting firm of its choosing to verify or dispute whether
or
not the Shareholders were entitled to receive the Contingent Payment. The
Representative must dispute the Net Profits calculation within fifteen (15)
Business Days of receiving such calculation from Parent. If such calculation
is
not disputed within such period, the Representative will be deemed to have
accepted the calculation as of the end of such period. If by the 30th
day
after the Representative has received notice of the determination by Parent's
accountants, the accountants for Parent and for the Representative are unable
to
agree upon the correct calculation, the accountants for Parent and the
Representative shall provide their calculation of Net Profits to a third-party
accountant mutually agreed upon by the accountants for Parent and the
Representative, who shall make a determination as to the amount of Net Profits,
which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The expenses
for
such accountant shall be paid for by the party whose calculation of Net Profits
was most different from the calculation of such third-party accountants, as
determined by such third-party accountant in its reasonable discretion. The
Shareholders shall repay and return the Contingent Payment to Parent in the
form
in which it was received within ten (10) Business Days of the date that the
Representative accepted the calculation of the Surviving Corporations'
accountants or the date on which it has been finally determined that the
Shareholders were not entitled to the Contingent Payment. Each of the
Shareholders and the Representative will be jointly and severally liable for
any
repayment to be made pursuant to this Section 2.6(b).
14
(c) Any
adjustments to the Merger Consideration in connection with Section 2.3(h) shall
adhere to the procedures set forth in Section 2.6 (a) and (b) for the purposes
of determining Indebtedness, Adjusted Tangible Personal Property and Minimum
Required EBITDA. In accordance with Section 2.3(h), Parent will notify the
Representative of the amount of Indebtedness and/or shortfall of Adjusted
Tangible Personal Property by which the Merger Consideration has been reduced,
confirmed by the regular independent public accountants of Parent, as calculated
in accordance with this Agreement. The Representative shall have the right,
at
its sole expense, to cause the relevant portions of the books and records of
the
Surviving Corporations for the relevant fiscal period to be reviewed by one
independent certified public accounting firm of its choosing to verify or
dispute the Indebtedness and/or Adjusted Tangible Personal Property and/or
Minimum Required EBITDA amounts set forth in the Parent notice. The
Representative must dispute the Indebtedness and/or Adjusted Tangible Personal
Property and/or Minimum Required EBITDA calculation within fifteen (15) days
of
receiving such calculation from Parent. If such calculation is not disputed
within such period, the Representative will be deemed to have accepted the
calculation. If by the 90th
day
after Closing the accountants for Parent and for the Representative are unable
to agree upon a Indebtedness and/or Adjusted Tangible Personal Property and/or
Minimum Required EBITDA calculation, the accountants for Parent and the
Representative shall provide their calculation of Indebtedness and/or Adjusted
Tangible Personal Property and/or Minimum Required EBITDA to a third-party
accountant mutually agreed upon by the accountants for Parent and the
Representative who shall make a determination as to the amount of Indebtedness
and/or Adjusted Tangible Personal Property and/or Minimum Required EBITDA,
which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The expenses for such
accountant shall be paid for by the party whose calculation of Indebtedness
and/or Tangible Personal Property and/or Minimum Required EBITDA was most
different from the calculation of such third-party accountants, as determined
by
such third-party accountant in its reasonable discretion. To the extent the
downward adjustment of Merger Consideration, due to such
Indebtedness and/or the shortfall against the Minimum Required
EBITDA,
has been
deemed to exceed the determination of the accountant as set forth in this
Section 2.6(c), Parent shall pay to Shareholders an amount equal to such excess
by wire transfer of immediately available funds as soon as commercially
practicable and the Merger Consideration shall be adjusted accordingly to
reflect such determination of the accountant. In connection with the
calculations set forth in this Section 2.6, the Members shall make available,
or
shall cause Buyer's Edge to make available, the Books and Records (as such
term
applies to Buyer's Edge) of Buyer's Edge for the purposes of calculating
Indebtedness, Adjusted Tangible Personal Property and/or Minimum Required
EBITDA.
15
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF
THE
COMPANIES AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
The
Companies and the Shareholders, jointly and severally, hereby represent and
warrant to Parent and Merger Subs that:
3.1. Corporate
Existence and Power.
Each of
Skynet and Zylonet is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good
standing under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of New York and New
Jersey, respectively, and has all power and authority, corporate and otherwise,
and all governmental licenses, franchises, permits, authorizations, consents
and
approvals required to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry
on
its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. None of the
Companies is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction, except as set forth on Schedule 3.1, and there is no jurisdiction
in which the character of the property owned or leased by any Company or the
nature of its activities make qualification of such Company in any such
jurisdiction necessary and in which such Company is not so qualified. The only
office, warehouse or business location of Skynet is located at 000/000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 and 0000 XxxXxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx;
and the only office or business location of Zylonet is located at 0000 Xxxxxxx
00, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000 (collectively, the “Office”). Neither of the
Companies has taken any action, adopted any plan, or made any agreement in
respect of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of its
respective assets, reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution or
liquidation.
3.2. Corporate
Authorization.
(a) The
execution, delivery and performance by each of the Companies of this Agreement
and each of the other Additional Agreements to which such Company is named
as a
party and the consummation by each of the Companies of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby are within the corporate powers of each of
the
Companies and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of
each Company, including, without limitation, the unanimous approval of the
Shareholders. This Agreement constitutes, and, upon their execution and
delivery, each of the Additional Agreements will constitute, a valid and legally
binding agreement of each Company, enforceable against each Company in
accordance with their respective terms.
(b) Each
Shareholder has full legal capacity, power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which such Shareholder is named
as a party, to perform such Shareholder's obligations hereunder and thereunder
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This
Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which each Shareholder is named
as a
party have been, or at Closing will be, duly executed and delivered by each
Shareholder and are, or upon their execution and delivery will be, valid and
legally binding obligations of each Shareholder, enforceable against each
Shareholder in accordance with their respective terms.
16
3.3. Charter
Documents; Legality.
Each
Company has previously delivered to Parent true and complete copies of its
Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, minute books and stock books (the
“Charter Documents”), as in effect or constituted on the date hereof. The
execution, delivery, and performance by each Company and each Shareholder of
this Agreement and any Additional Agreement to which such Company or such
Shareholder is to be a party has not violated and will not violate, and the
consummation by such Company or the Shareholders of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby will not violate, any of the Charter Documents
or
any Law.
3.4. Capitalization
and Ownership of the Companies.
Schedule
3.4 sets forth, with respect to each Company, (i) such Company's authorized
capital stock, (ii) the number of shares of such Company's stock that are
outstanding, (iii) each shareholder of such Company's stock and the number
of
shares of such stock owned by such shareholder, and (iv) each security
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such Company's stock, the
number of shares of stock such security is convertible into, the exercise or
conversion price of such security and the holder of such security. No person
other than the Shareholders owns any securities of any of the Companies. None
of
the Companies' Charter
Documents
authorizes a class of preferred stock having preference over any other class
of
stock. Each Shareholder owns the Shares set forth in Schedule 3.4, free and
clear of any Lien. There is no Contract (other than this Agreement) that
requires or under any circumstance would require (a) any Company to issue,
or
grant any right to acquire, any capital stock of such Company, or any security
or instrument exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into, the capital
stock or membership interest of any Company or to merge, consolidate, dissolve,
liquidate, restructure, or recapitalize any Company or (b) any holder of the
capital stock of any Company to transfer or grant any rights with respect to
any
capital stock of such Company. The issuance of all the outstanding capital
stock
of each Company has been duly authorized, and all such capital stock is validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3.5. Subsidiaries.
None
of
the Companies owns, and since their formation none of the Companies has owned,
directly or indirectly, securities or other ownership interests in any other
entity, other than in the case of Skynet, securities which are and have been
held in Skynet's account with U.S. Securities International Corp. and one share
of common stock in Dynamic Marketing, Inc. None of the Companies is a party
to
any agreement relating to the formation of any joint venture, association or
other entity.
3.6. Affiliates.
Other
than the Shareholders, none of the Companies is controlled by any Person and
none of the Companies is in control of any other Person. Except as set forth
in
Schedule 3.6, none of the Shareholders (x) engages in any business, except
through the Companies or Buyer's Edge, or is an employee of or provides any
service for compensation to, any other business concern or (y) owns any equity
security of any business concern, except for publicly traded securities.
Schedule 3.6 lists each Contract, arrangement, or understanding to which at
least one of the Companies and any Shareholder or any Affiliate of any
Shareholder is a party. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.6, none of the
Shareholders or any Affiliate of the Shareholders (i) own, directly or
indirectly, in whole or in part, any tangible or intangible property (including
Intellectual Property Rights) that any Company uses or the use of which is
necessary for the conduct of any of the Companies' business, or (ii) have
engaged in any transaction with any of the Companies.
17
3.7. Assumed
Names.
Schedule
3.7 is a complete and correct list of all assumed or “doing business as” names
currently or formerly used by each of the Companies, indicating which respective
Company uses or used such name, including names on any Websites other than
the
name “XxxXxxxxxx.xxx,” which name Skynet has agreed to cease using. No Company
has used any name other than the names listed on Schedule 3.7 to conduct its
business. The Companies have filed appropriate “doing business as” certificates
in all applicable jurisdictions.
3.8. Governmental
Authorization.
None
of
the execution, delivery or performance by any Company or any Shareholder of
this
Agreement or any Additional Agreement requires any consent, approval, license
or
other action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with,
any Authority other than the filing of the certificates of merger.
3.9. Consents.
The
Contracts listed on Schedule 3.9 are the only agreements, commitments,
arrangements, contracts or other instruments binding upon any Company or any
of
their respective properties or any Shareholder requiring a consent, approval,
authorization, order or other action of or filing with any Person as a result
of
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any of the
Additional Agreements or the Asset Purchase Agreement or the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each of the foregoing, a “Company
Consent”).
The
Company's have heretofore delivered to Parent, true, correct and complete copies
of each Contract requiring a Company Consent.
3.10. Financial
Statements.
(a) Attached
hereto as Schedule 3.10 are an unaudited balance sheet of each of the Companies
as of September 30, 2005 and the unaudited balance sheets of the Companies
as of
December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and of Skynet as of December 31, 2003,
and statements of operations and retained earnings and cash flow (only for
period ended December 31, 2005) of each of the Companies for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 and the years ended December 31, 2005 and December
31,
2004 and of Skynet as of December 31, 2003 (collectively, the “Financial
Statements”). The balance sheets contained in the Financial Statements as of the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 are referred to herein as the “Interim
Balance Sheets”. The Financial Statements (i) were prepared from the books and
records of each Company, as applicable; (ii) were prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied, subject in the case of the September 30, 2005
financial statements to normal year end adjustments; (iii) fairly and accurately
present each Company's financial condition and the results of its operations
as
of their respective dates and for the periods then ended; (iv) contain and
reflect all necessary adjustments and accruals for a fair presentation of each
Company's financial condition as of their dates; and (v) contain and reflect
adequate provisions for all reasonably anticipated liabilities for all material
income, property, sales, payroll or other Taxes applicable to each Company
with
respect to the periods then ended. Notwithstanding Schedule 3.10, the profits
of
the Companies are accurate when the profits of the Companies over the periods
covered by all of the Financial Statements are aggregated. Each Company has
heretofore delivered to Parent complete and accurate copies of all “management
letters” received by it from such Company's accountants and all responses during
the last three years by lawyers engaged by any Company to inquiries from such
Company's accountant or any predecessor accountants.
18
(b) Schedule
3.10(b) sets forth for each of the Companies the first nine months of 2005,
for
calendar year 2005 and for calendar year 2004 the amount of revenues derived
from sales of products and services from the Websites (on a per Website basis),
advertising revenues from the Websites (on a per Website basis) and in the
case
of Skynet, revenues from the retail store.
(c) Except
as
specifically disclosed, reflected or fully reserved against on the Interim
Balance Sheets and for liabilities and obligations of a similar nature and
in
similar amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date
of
the Interim Balance Sheets, there are no liabilities, debts or obligations
of
any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, liquidated or unliquidated,
unasserted or otherwise) relating to any Company. All debts and liabilities,
fixed or contingent, which should be included under GAAP on an accrual basis
on
the Interim Balance Sheets are included therein.
(d) The
Interim Balance Sheet of each Company accurately reflects the outstanding
Indebtedness of each such Company as of the date thereof. Except as set forth
on
Schedule 3.10, none of the Companies has any Indebtedness.
(e) All
accounts, books and ledgers of each Company have been properly and accurately
kept and completed in all material respects, and there are no material
inaccuracies or discrepancies of any kind contained or reflected therein. None
of the Companies has any of its records, systems controls, data or information
recorded, stored, maintained, operated or otherwise wholly or partly dependent
on or held by any means (including any mechanical, electronic or photographic
process, whether computerized or not) which (including all means of access
thereto and therefrom) is not under the exclusive ownership (excluding licensed
software programs) and direct control of the Companies and which is not located
at the Office.
(f) Attached
hereto as Schedule 3.10(f) is a true, correct and complete schedule setting
forth the amounts paid by each of the Companies for direct-response advertising
for each of the periods covered by the Financial Statements.
(g) All
financial projections delivered by or on behalf of the Companies or the
Shareholders to Parent were prepared in good faith using assumptions that the
Shareholders believe to be reasonable and neither either of the Companies nor
any Shareholder is
aware
of the existence of any fact or occurrence of any circumstance that is
reasonably likely to have an adverse impact on said projections.
19
3.11. Accounts
Receivable.
Schedule
3.11 sets forth as of a date within three (3) days of the date hereof all
accounts, notes and other receivables, whether or not accrued, and whether
or
not billed, of each Company, in accordance with GAAP (“Accounts Receivable”).
Except as set forth in Schedule 3.11, all Accounts Receivable represent bona
fide sales of inventory of each Company in the ordinary course of their
respective businesses through means of the Websites and, in the case of Skynet,
of the retail storefront and are fully collectible, net of any reserves shown
on
the Interim Balance Sheets. At the Closing, each Company shall provide Parent
with an updated Schedule 3.11 as of a date within five days of the
Closing.
3.12. Books
and Records.
(a) Each
of
the Company's Books and Records accurately and fairly, in reasonable detail,
reflect such Company's transactions and dispositions of assets. Each Company
maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
reasonable assurance that:
(i) transactions
are executed in accordance with management's authorization;
(ii) access
to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's authorization;
and
(iii) recorded
assets are compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals, and
appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(b) Each
of
the Companies has heretofore made all of such Company's Books and Records
available to Parent for its inspection and has heretofore delivered to Parent
complete and accurate copies of documents referred to in the Schedules or Parent
otherwise has requested. All Contracts, documents, and other papers or copies
thereof delivered to Parent by or on behalf of the Companies in connection
with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein are accurate, complete,
and authentic.
(c) Schedule
3.12 is a complete and correct list of all savings, checking, brokerage or
other
accounts pursuant to which any of the Companies has cash or securities on
deposit. Schedule 3.12 indicates which such Company owns each such account
and
the signatories therefor.
3.13. Absence
of Certain Changes.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule 3.13, since September 30, 2005, each of the Companies
has
conducted its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practices,
and there has not been:
(i) any
Material Adverse Change or any event, occurrence, development or state of
circumstances or facts which could reasonably be expected to result individually
or in the aggregate in a Material Adverse Change or on the Companies' ability
to
consummate the transactions contemplated herein or upon the value to Parent
or
either Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby;
20
(ii) any
transaction, contract, agreement or other instrument entered into, or commitment
made, by any Company relating to such Company's business or any relinquishment
by any Company of any Contract or other right, in either case other than
transactions and commitments in the ordinary course of business consistent
in
all respects, including kind and amount, with past practices and those
contemplated by this Agreement;
(iii) any
bonus, salary or other compensation paid or agreed to be paid to any employee
except in accordance with Schedule 3.13;
(b) Except
as
set forth in Schedule 3.13, since September 30, 2005, through and including
the
date hereof, none of the Companies has taken any action nor has had any event
occur which would have violated any covenant of the Companies set forth in
Article V hereof if such action had been taken or such event had occurred
between the date hereof and the Closing Date.
3.14. Real
Property.
(a) None
of
the Companies owns any Real Property. Each of the Companies has delivered to
Parent true, correct, and complete copies of each lease for Real Property to
which each such Company is a party, and all amendments thereto. Each such lease,
together with all amendments, is listed in Schedule 3.14 and is valid and
enforceable by such Company with respect to the other party thereto. None of
the
Companies has breached or violated and none are in default under any lease
or
any local zoning ordinance, and no notice from any Person has been received
by
any Company or served upon any Company of Shareholder claiming any violation
of
any lease or any local zoning ordinance.
(b) The
Companies have not experienced any material interruption in the delivery of
adequate quantities of any utilities (including, without limitation,
electricity, natural gas, potable water, water for cooling or similar purposes
and fuel oil) or other public services (including, without limitation, sanitary
and industrial sewer service) required by each Company in the operation of
its
respective business.
3.15. Tangible
Personal Property.
(a) Each
piece of Tangible Personal Property has no defects, is in good operating
condition and repair and functions in accordance with its intended use (ordinary
wear and tear excepted), has been properly maintained, and is suitable for
its
present uses. Schedule 3.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of the
Tangible Personal Property owned by each Company, setting forth a description
of
such property and its location, as of a date within five days of the date of
this Agreement.
(b) Each
Company has, and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
the
Surviving Corporations will have, good, valid and marketable title in and to,
each piece of Tangible Personal Property listed on Schedule 3.15 hereto, free
and clear of all Liens, except as set forth on Schedule 3.15(b).
21
(c) Except
as
indicated on Schedule 3.15, all Tangible Personal Property is located at the
offices, retail property or warehouses located at 000/000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, and 0000 XxxXxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, and, in
the
case of Tangible Personal Property owned by Zylonet, 0000 Xxxxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxx.
3.16. Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule
3.16 sets forth a true and complete list of all Intellectual Property Rights,
specifying as to each, as applicable: (i) the nature of such Intellectual
Property Right; (ii) the owner of such Intellectual Property Right; (iii) the
jurisdictions by or in which such Intellectual Property Right has been issued
or
registered or in which an application for such issuance or registration has
been
filed; and (iv) all licenses, sublicenses and other agreements pursuant to
which
any Person (including the Companies) is authorized to use such Intellectual
Property Right.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule 3.16, within the past three (3) years (or prior thereto
if
the same is still pending or subject to appeal or reinstatement), neither of
the
Companies has been sued or charged in writing with or been a defendant in any
claim, suit, action or proceeding that involves a claim of infringement of
any
Intellectual Property Rights, and none of the Companies has any knowledge of
any
other claim of infringement by any Company, and no knowledge of any continuing
infringement by any other Person of any Intellectual Property
Rights.
(c) The
current use by the Companies of the Intellectual Property Rights does not
infringe, and the use by Surviving Corporations, Parent or any of its Affiliates
of the Intellectual Property Rights after the Closing will not infringe, upon
the rights of any other Person.
(d) Except
as
set forth on Schedule 3.16, all employees, agents, consultants or contractors
(including any Shareholders) who have contributed to or participated in the
creation or development of any copyrightable, patentable or trade secret
material on behalf of any of the Companies or any predecessor in interest
thereto either: (i) is a party to a “work-for-hire” agreement under which the
respective Company is deemed to be the original owner/author of all property
rights therein; or (ii) has executed an assignment or an agreement to assign
in
favor of such Company (or such predecessor in interest, as applicable) all
right, title and interest in such material. All of the Companies’ Intellectual
Property Rights are created on a “work-for-hire” basis and owned by the
Companies.
3.17. Inventory.
(a) Schedule
3.17(a) contains a complete and correct list of the entire inventory of each
Company as of no earlier than two (2) days prior to the signing of this
Agreement. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(a), sales in the ordinary course
of business, the inventories of each Company consist of items of quality and
quantity usable and salable in the ordinary course of business of such Company
at an aggregate value at least equal to the value at which such inventories
are
reflected in the Interim Balance Sheets as at the date of such financial
statements. The method of valuing such inventories in such Interim Balance
Sheets is consistent with past practice and in conformity with GAAP,
consistently applied. The value of inventories known to be obsolete, slow moving
or known to be below standard quality has been written down on the books of
the
respective Company to estimated realizable market value or reserves estimated
to
be sufficient therefor have been established on the Interim Balance Sheets.
The
amounts at which the inventories are carried on the Interim Balance Sheets
reflect the inventory valuation policy of each Company of stating inventory
at
the lower of cost (FIFO method) or estimated realizable market value in
accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. At the Closing the Companies shall
deliver an updated Schedule 3.17(a) as of a date no earlier than five (5) days
prior to the Closing.
22
(b) Schedule
3.17(b) lists every model or version of every product currently in inventory
or
sold by each Company since January 1, 2005. Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.17(b), no Company is a party to any Contract prohibiting or giving any third
party the right to prohibit such Company or any Affiliate thereof from selling
any product, in any geographical area or otherwise. Each distribution, sales
representative, or like Contract is listed on Schedule 3.17(b). No Company
has
exported any product in violation of any United States Law requiring an export
license respecting export of such product.
(c) To
the
knowledge of each Company, the products listed on Schedules 3.17(a) and (b)
perform materially free of bugs, viruses or other malicious code, programming
errors, or manufacturing or design defects and otherwise in accordance with
the
specification of such product, end-user documentation or other information
on
which customers could reasonably be expected to rely.
3.18. Suppliers
and Business Relationships.
(a) Schedule
3.18(a) is an accurate and complete and current list of each of Skynet's ten
largest suppliers (in terms of sales volume) for each year, setting forth the
amount of business done with each during such year, since January 1, 2003,
setting forth the amount of business done with each during such year, since
January 1, 2003. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.18(a), no single supplier,
either retail or resale, is material to Skynet and none are Affiliates of
Skynet. Zylonet's sole supplier was Skynet until approximately 2006. The
relationships of Skynet with its customers, distributors, sales representatives,
and suppliers are good commercial working relationships; no supplier listed
on
Schedule 3.18(a) has terminated, changed, or threatened to terminate, the
amount, rate, or nature of the business it conducts with, or the services or
supplies provided to, Skynet or prices at which such business is conducted;
and
to the knowledge of each Company and each Shareholder, the execution, delivery,
or performance of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not affect adversely to the Parent or the Surviving
Corporations or the amount, rate, or nature of the business conducted with
any
Person listed on Schedule 3.18(a) or the Parent's or the Surviving Corporation
relationship with any such Person.
(b) Skynet
is
unaware of any impending changes in the rates at which materials or services
are
charged to it by any Person identified on Schedule 3.18(a). Schedule 3.18(b)
sets forth a complete and correct description of Skynet's refund and return
policies with each of its respective ten largest retail and resale suppliers,
as
set forth in Section 3.18(a)(i) and (ii), and Zylonet's refund and return
policies with Skynet.
23
(c) Except
as
listed on Schedule 3.18(c), the Companies do not outsource any of their
respective operations.
(d) Schedule
3.18(d) is an accurate and complete and current list of each Company's ten
largest customers (in terms of dollar amounts of sale) for each year and for
the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, setting forth the amount of business
done with each Company during such year or period since January 1, 2002, in
each
case indicating whether the customer is a wholesale or a retail
customer.
3.19. Litigation.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule 3.19, there is no Action (or any basis therefor) pending
against, or to the best knowledge of the Companies or the Shareholders,
threatened against or affecting, any of the Companies, any of their respective
officers or directors, any Shareholder, the business of any Company, or any
Contract before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or
official or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter
or
delay the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no outstanding judgments
against any Company or any Shareholder. No Company is now, nor have they been
in
the past five years, subject to any proceeding with the Federal Trade Commission
or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any comparable body of any
state or political subdivision.
3.20. Contracts.
(a) Each
Contract to which any of the Companies is a party is a valid and binding
agreement, and is in full force and effect, and none of the Companies nor,
to
the best knowledge of the Companies or the Shareholders, any other party thereto
is in breach or default (whether with or without the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both) under the terms of any such Contract. None of the
Companies has assigned, delegated, or otherwise transferred any of its rights
or
obligations with respect to any Contracts, or granted any power of attorney
with
respect thereto. Each applicable Company has given a true and correct fully
executed copy of each material Contract to Parent.
(b) Schedule
3.20 lists each material Contract of each Company, including, but not limited
to:
(i) any
Contract pursuant to which any Company is required to pay, has paid or is
entitled to receive or has received an amount in excess of $10,000 during the
current fiscal year or any one of the two preceding fiscal years (other than
purchase orders for Inventory entered into in the ordinary course of business
(excluding however any such purchase orders which are open for purchases in
excess of $50,000);
(ii) all
employment contracts and sales representatives contracts;
(iii) all
material sales, agency, factoring, commission and distribution contracts to
which any Company is a party;
(iv) all
joint
venture, strategic alliance, limited liability company and partnership
agreements to which any Company is a party;
24
(v) all
significant documents relating to any acquisitions or dispositions of assets
by
any Company (other than of dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course
of
business);
(vi) all
material licensing agreements, including agreements licensing Intellectual
Property Rights, other than “shrink wrap” licenses;
(vii) all
secrecy, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements restricting the conduct
of
any Company;
(viii) all
Contracts relating to patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, brands,
copyrights, trade secrets and other Intellectual Property Rights of any
Company;
(ix) all
guarantees, with the terms and conditions and privacy policies and other
provisions of the Websites indemnification arrangements and other hold harmless
arrangements made or provided by any Company;
(x) all
website hosting contracts or agreements;
(xi) all
Contracts or agreements with or pertaining to any Company to which any
Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Shareholder is a party;
(xii) all
agreements relating to real property, including any real property lease,
sublease, or space sharing, license or occupancy agreement, whether the Company
is granted or granting rights thereunder to occupy or use any premises;
(xiii) all
material agreements relating to Tangible Personal Property; and
(xiv) all
agreements relating to outstanding Indebtedness.
(c) Neither
of the Companies is subject to any Contract which prohibits, limits or restricts
any use by any of the Companies of any information regarding their customers,
including limiting the solicitation of or other communication by any of the
Companies with their customers or providing any information regarding their
customers to any third party. The Companies have acted in compliance in all
material respects with all terms and conditions and privacy policies published
on each Website (collectively, “Website Rules”), including with respect to their
use of information regarding customers. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.20(c),
the disclosure to the Surviving Corporations and Parent, and the use by them,
of
customer identities and information regarding them and communications with
them
by the Surviving Corporations and Parent, including offers to download Parent
toolbars, will not violate any Contract or any Website Rules.
(d) The
Companies are in compliance with all covenants, including all financial
covenants, in all notes, indentures, bonds and other instruments or agreements
evidencing any Indebtedness.
25
3.21. Licenses
and Permits.
Schedule
3.21 is a complete and correct list of each material license, franchise, permit,
order or approval or other similar authorization affecting, or relating in
any
way to, the business of any of the Companies, together with the name of the
government agency or entity issuing the same (the “Permits”). Such Permits are
valid and in full force and effect and, assuming the related Company Consents,
if any, have been obtained prior to the Closing Date, are transferable by the
Companies, and none of the Permits will, assuming the related Company Consents
have been obtained or waived prior to the Closing Date, be terminated or
impaired or become terminable as a result of the transactions contemplated
hereby. Each Company has all Permits necessary to operate its respective
business.
3.22. Compliance
with Laws.
None
of
the Companies is in violation of, or have violated, and to the best knowledge
of
the Companies and the Shareholders, are neither under investigation with respect
to nor have been threatened to be charged with or given notice of, any violation
or alleged violation of, any Law or Order, nor is there any basis for any such
charge.
3.23. Pre-payments.
No
Company has received any payments with respect to any services to be rendered
or
goods to be provided after the Closing.
3.24. Employees.
Schedule
3.24 sets forth a true and complete list of the names, titles, annual salaries
or wage rates and other compensation, vacation and fringe benefits, claims
under
benefit plans, resident alien status (if applicable), residence addresses,
social security numbers, relationship to any Shareholder and office location
of
all employees of each Company, indicating part-time and full-time employment
and
all changes in salaries and wage rates per employee since January 1, 2004.
None
of the Companies or the Shareholders has promised any employee, consultant
or
agent of any Company that he or she will be employed by or receive any
particular benefits from the Parent or the Surviving Corporations on or after
the Closing. Schedule 3.24 sets forth a true and complete list of the names,
addresses and titles of the directors and officers of each Company.
3.25. Compliance
with Labor Laws and Agreements.
Each
Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws and
Orders relating to employment or labor. To each Company's knowledge, no such
Law
or Order requires Parent or the Surviving Corporations to give any notice,
make
any filing, receive any approval, or take any other action to, with, or from
or
with respect to any Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby. There is no legal prohibition with respect to the permanent residence
of
any employee of any of the Companies in the United States or his or her
permanent employment by any Company or Parent or the Surviving Corporations.
No
present or former employee, officer or director of any Company has, or will
have
at the Closing Date, any claim against Surviving Corporation for any matter
including, without limitation, for wages, salary, vacation, severance, or sick
pay except for the same incurred in the ordinary course of business for the
last
payroll period prior to the Closing Date. There is no:
(a) unfair
labor practice complaint against any of the Companies pending before the
National Labor Relations Board or any state or local agency;
26
(b) pending
labor strike or other material labor trouble affecting any of the
Companies;
(c) material
labor grievance pending against any of the Companies;
(d) pending
representation question respecting the employees of any Company; or
(e) pending
arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining
agreement to which any Company is a party.
In
addition, to each Company's and each Shareholders' knowledge: (i) none of the
matters specified in clauses (a) through (e) above is threatened against any
Company; (ii) no union organizing activities have taken place with respect
to
any Company; (iii) no basis exists for which a claim may be made under any
collective bargaining agreement to which any Company is a party; and (iv) each
of the Shareholders is in good health.
3.26. Pension
and Benefit Plans.
All
accrued obligations of each Company applicable to its employees, whether arising
by operation of Law, by contract, by past custom or otherwise, for payments
by
any Company to trusts or other funds or to any governmental agency, with respect
to unemployment compensation benefits, social security benefits or any other
benefits for its employees with respect to the employment of said employees
through the date hereof have been paid or adequate accruals therefor have been
made on the Financial Statements. All reasonably anticipated obligations of
the
Companies with respect to such employees (except for those related to wages
during the pay period immediately prior to the Closing Date and arising in
the
ordinary course of business), whether arising by operation of Law, by contract,
by past custom, or otherwise, for salaries, vacation and holiday pay, sick
pay,
bonuses and other forms of compensation payable to such employees in respect
of
the services rendered by any of them prior to the date hereof have been or
will
be paid by such Company prior to the Closing Date.
3.27. Employment
Matters.
Schedule
3.27 sets forth a true and complete list of every employment agreement,
commission agreement, employee group or executive medical, life, or disability
insurance plan, and each incentive, bonus, profit sharing, retirement, deferred
compensation, equity, phantom equity, option, equity purchase, equity
appreciation right or severance plan of each Company now in effect or under
which such Company has or might have any obligation, or any understanding
between the Companies and any employee concerning the terms of such employee's
employment that does not apply to such Company's employees generally
(collectively, “Labor Agreements”). None of the Companies has any employee
benefit plans within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA. Each Company has
delivered to Parent true and complete copies of each such Labor Agreement and,
where applicable, the most recent Form 5500 filed for the plan.
27
3.28. Tax
Matters.
From
its incorporation through and until September 30, 2005, Skynet was properly
taxable as a subchapter S corporation for federal and New York State income
Tax
purposes. Since October 1, 2005, and at all times since then, Skynet is and
has
been properly taxable as a “C” corporation for federal, New York State and New
York City income Tax purposes. Since its incorporation, and at all times since
then, Zylonet is and has been properly taxable as a “C” corporation for federal
and New Jersey State and local income Tax purposes. Within
the times and in the manner prescribed by Law, each Company has filed all
required Tax Returns, which accurately and completely reflected each respective
Company's Tax liability for the respective periods covered thereby, has paid
or
provided for all Taxes shown thereon to be due and owing by it and has paid
or
provided for all deficiencies or other assessments of Taxes, interest or
penalties owed by it; no Tax Authority has asserted any claim for the assessment
of any additional Taxes of any nature with respect to any periods covered by
any
such Tax Returns; and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.28, all Taxes required
to be withheld or collected by each Company have been duly withheld or collected
and, to the extent required, have been properly reported and paid to the proper
taxing Authority or properly segregated or deposited as required by Law. Each
Tax Return filed by each Company fully and accurately reflects its liability
for
Taxes for such year or period and accurately sets forth all items (to the extent
required to be included or reflected in such returns) relevant to its future
liabilities for Taxes, including the Tax basis of its properties and assets.
No
audit of any Tax Return of any Company is in progress or, to the knowledge
of
any Company or any Shareholder, threatened. None of the Companies has waived
or
extended any applicable statute of limitations relating to the assessment or
collection of any Taxes. No issue has been raised with any Company by any Tax
Authority that is currently pending in connection with any Tax Return. No
material issue has been raised in any examination by any Tax Authority with
respect to any Company which, by application of similar principles, reasonably
could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any other period not
so
examined. There are no unresolved issues or unpaid deficiencies relating to
any
such examination. Each Company has delivered to Parent true and correct copies
of all of such respective Company's federal, state and local income Tax Returns
for all periods from and after January 1, 2001. As
a
result of the Mergers, each Merger Sub will acquire at least 90% of the FMV
of
the net assets and at least 70% of the FMV of the gross assets held by the
applicable Company immediately prior to the Mergers. For purposes of the
immediately preceding sentence, amounts paid by either Company to dissenters,
amounts paid by either Company to shareholders who receive cash or other
property, Company assets used to pay its reorganization expenses, and all
redemptions and distributions (except for regular, normal dividends) made by
either Company immediately preceding the Mergers, will be included as assets
of
that Company immediately prior to the Mergers. The liabilities of such Company
assumed by the applicable Merger Sub and the liabilities to which the
transferred assets of such Company are subject were incurred by such Company
in
the ordinary course of business. The FMV of the assets of each Company
transferred to a Merger Sub in the Mergers will equal or exceed the sum of
the
liabilities assumed by that Merger Sub plus the amount of liabilities, if any,
to which the transferred assets are subject.
3.29. Finders’
Fees.
There
is
no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary that has been
retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of any Company, any Shareholder
or
any of their respective Affiliates who might be entitled to any fee or
commission from either Surviving Corporation, Parent or any of its Affiliates
upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
28
3.30. Investment
Representations.
(a) Each
Shareholder recognizes that an investment in Parent involves a high degree
of
risk for many reasons, including, without limitation, that (i) an investment
in
the Parent Class C Common Stock is highly speculative and only investors who
can
afford the loss of their entire investment should consider purchasing the Parent
Class C Common Stock; (ii) there may be no public market for the Underlying
Parent Stock and an investor may not be able to liquidate its investment for
the
foreseeable future; (iii) Parent is an early stage company with limited
operating history upon which to base its likelihood for success; (iv)
transferability of the Parent Class C Common Stock is extremely limited; and
(v)
the Company's business plan involves conducting business in the Peoples Republic
of China, which involves substantial risks. Each Shareholder acknowledges that
Parent makes no representation that the effective price per share being paid
by
each Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement represents the fair market value
for
the Shares.
(b) Each
Shareholder is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D (“Reg. D”) promulgated under the Act by virtue of the fact that
each Shareholder is a natural person whose individual net worth or joint net
worth with that person's spouse exceeds $1,000,000; and or is a natural person
who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most
recent years or joint income with that person's spouse is in excess of $300,000
in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same
income in the current year. Each Shareholder acknowledges that Parent has the
right to require evidence of Shareholder's status as an accredited investor,
if
necessary.
(c) Each
Shareholder acknowledges that it has prior investment experience, including
investments in non-listed and non-registered securities, or has employed the
services of an investment advisory, attorney or accountant to evaluate the
merits and risks of such an investment on its behalf, and each Shareholder
represents that it understands the highly speculative nature of an investment
in
Parent Class C Common Stock which may result in the loss of the total amount
of
such investment.
(d) Each
Shareholder has adequate means of providing for such Shareholder's current
needs
and possible personal contingencies, and each Shareholder has no need, and
anticipates no need in the foreseeable future, for liquidity in such
Shareholder's investment in the Parent Class C Common Stock. Each Shareholder
is
able to bear the economic risks of this investment and, consequently, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Shareholder is able to hold
the
Parent Class C Common Stock for an indefinite period of time and has a
sufficient net worth to sustain a loss of the entire investment in the event
such loss should occur.
(e) No
Shareholder has made an overall commitment to investments which are not readily
marketable that are disproportionate to such Shareholder's net worth, and such
Shareholder's investment in the Parent Class C Common Stock will not cause
such
overall commitment to become excessive.
(f) Except
as
otherwise set forth in Article IV, Parent has not and is not making any
representations or warranties to Shareholders or providing any advice or
information to Shareholders at all. Each Shareholder acknowledges that it has
retained its own professional advisors to evaluate the tax and other
consequences of an investment in the Parent Class C Common Stock and Underlying
Parent Stock.
29
(g) Each
Shareholder acknowledges that this offering of Parent Class C Common Stock
has
not been reviewed by the SEC because this is intended to be a non-public
offering pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Act and Rule 506 under Regulation
D of
the Act. Each Shareholder acknowledges that it is not acquiring the Parent
Class
C Common Stock as a result of any general solicitation or advertising. The
Parent Class C Common Stock and Underlying Parent Stock will be received by
each
Shareholder for such Shareholder's own account, for investment and not for
distribution or resale to others.
(h) Each
Shareholder understands that there is no market for the Parent Class C Common
Stock. Each Shareholder understands that even if a public market ultimately
develops in the United States for the Underlying Parent Stock, Rule 144 (the
“Rule”) promulgated under the Act requires, among other conditions, a one year
holding period prior to the resale (in limited amounts) of securities acquired
in a non public offering without having to satisfy the registration requirements
under the Act. Each Shareholder understands that Parent makes no representation
or warranty regarding its fulfillment in the future of any reporting
requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or its
dissemination to the public of any current financial or other information
concerning Parent, as is required by the Rule as one of the conditions of its
availability.
(i) Each
Shareholder understands that Parent may need to raise capital in the near term
through private financings in order to develop its business as proposed, which
may include the sale of equity securities. The issuance of these equity
securities could result in dilution to each Shareholder. Each Shareholder
understands that if Parent is unable to raise capital when needed, Parent may
not be able to develop its business as planned and its inability to raise
capital in the future could adversely affect its ability to
operate.
(j) Each
Shareholder understands that Xxxxxx Xxxxxx is the co-founder and a consultant
providing key services to Parent and that Parent's success is highly dependent
upon retaining his services, as well as it being able to recruit and retain
the
services of qualified executive officers and management to manage its day-to-day
business operations and to establish and maintain relationships with any future
customers. Each Shareholder understands that Parent's success will also depend
upon its ability to recruit and retain qualified technical personnel experienced
in, among other things, website hosting and related services and network
security. Competition is strong for the types of personnel Parent requires
to
operate its business as proposed and each Shareholder understands that there
are
no assurances that Parent will be able to hire, motivate and retain such
persons.
(k) Each
Shareholder recognizes that Parent will have to continue to develop proprietary
information and other intellectual property in order to develop and operate
its
business and there are no assurances that such intellectual property will be
developed in a timely manner, if at all. Parent may be unable to adequately
protect its proprietary rights and other intellectual property and unauthorized
parties may misappropriate or infringe on the trade secrets, copyrights,
trademarks, service marks and similar proprietary rights of Parent. Parent may
have to resort to litigation to protect its intellectual property rights, to
protect trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary
rights of others. Any litigation, regardless of its success, would be costly
and
require significant time and attention of management and technical personnel.
Each Shareholder recognizes that any such litigation could force Parent to:
refrain from selling, incorporating or using products that incorporate any
challenged intellectual property; pay damages; enter into licensing or royalty
agreements that may contain undesirable terms; or redesign products or services
that eliminate infringing or potentially infringing technology.
30
(l) Each
Shareholder recognizes that Parent may also be the subject of litigation brought
by third parties claiming that Parent is violating their intellectual property.
These third parties may litigate to protect their intellectual property rights,
to protect trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of their
proprietary rights. Defending against such litigation, regardless of its
success, would be costly and require significant time and attention of
management and technical personnel and could force Parent to: refrain from
selling, incorporating or using products that incorporate any challenged
intellectual property; pay damages; enter into licensing or royalty agreements
that may contain undesirable terms; or redesign products or services that
eliminate infringing or potentially infringing technology.
(m) Each
Shareholder understands and acknowledges that the Parent's business will also
depend upon its ability to protect its computer and software systems and data
centers against damage from fire, power loss, hacker attacks, worms, trojan
horses, viruses and other similar events. Each Shareholder understands and
acknowledges that there can be no assurance that Parent will be successful
in
protecting such systems.
(n) Each
Shareholder recognizes that the Parent's business will be highly dependent
on
its computer equipment and software systems and Parent will need to develop
and
maintain technological capabilities that enable it to meet customer demands.
Each Shareholder understands and acknowledges that there can be no assurance
that Parent can successfully undertake such endeavors.
(o) Each
Shareholder understands that Parent does business in China, including pursuant
to its contracts with China Daily Information d/b/a Xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx, a Chinese
corporation (“Xxxxxxxxxx.xxx”). Each Shareholder understand that in doing
business in China, Parent faces substantial risks, including: significant
political and economic uncertainties, including changes in laws and regulations,
or their interpretation and changes in government officials responsible for
administering such matters; the imposition of confiscatory taxation; language
barriers and other difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
legal uncertainties or unanticipated changes regarding regulatory requirements;
the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises; restrictions
on currency conversion and repatriation; devaluations of currency; uncertainties
of laws and enforcement relating to the protection of intellectual property;
potentially uncertain or adverse tax consequences; and the overall economic
conditions in China.
(p) Each
Shareholder understands that there is a risk that the government of China and
any agency thereof may, with or without cause, prohibit, restrict or block
access to the Parent's search engine throughout China. Each Shareholder
understand that if the government of China or any agency thereof took such
actions, there may be limited or no legal remedies available to Parent. Each
Shareholder further understand that if access to Parent's search engine is
in
any way prohibited, restricted or blocked throughout China, even for a limited
period of time, Parent's business as proposed would be materially adversely
affected.
31
(q) Each
Shareholder understands that if Parent does business in China and other foreign
countries as proposed, Parent could face foreign currency risks. Each
Shareholder understand that to the extent future revenue of Parent is
denominated in foreign currencies, it would be subject to increased risks
relating to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that could have a
material adverse effect on Parent's business and operations.
(r) Foreign
companies may experience a lack of remedies and impartiality under the Chinese
legal system. China has a civil law system based on written statutes in which
judicial decisions have little precedence value. The Chinese government has
enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate
organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade.
However, their experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these
laws
and regulations is limited, and Parent's ability to enforce commercial claims
or
to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. These matters may be subject
to
the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government,
and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute
may
influence their determination. As such, each Shareholder understands that Parent
may not be able to satisfactorily redress any grievances it may have against
another party in China or which another party may have against it.
(s) Each
Shareholder has been advised of the following. In The
United States of America v. Marc Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, etc,
in the
U.S. District Court, in New Jersey (the “Court”), CR. No. 99-512 Xx. Xxxxxx
entered into a plea agreement in 1999 whereby, inter
alia,
Xx.
Xxxxxx pleaded guilty to (A) one felony count of violating 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b)
and 78ff(a) and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b in connection with securities, and (B) one
felony count involving the transportation, transmission and transfer of monetary
instruments and funds to conceal proceeds of the aforesaid activities contrary
to 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(B)(i), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). The
provisions of any Court sentencing could preclude Xx. Xxxxxx from rendering
services to Parent. At the same time, Xx. Xxxxxx was convicted in France of,
inter
alia,
stock
fraud, and as part of the proceeding Xx. Xxxxxx was credited with time served
and was fined 120,000 euros. The case is titled The
Government x. Xxxxxx and Laroze,
Case
No. 9334769086.
(t) Although
Parent has launched its search engine website, substantial upgrades and
improvements to it are necessary in order for the website to perform according
to Parent's standards and for Parent's search engine website to be successful
and there is no assurance that any of the foregoing can or will be attained.
Each Shareholder also understands that the Parent's business plan involves
the
possibility of making additional acquisitions, but that there is no certainty
that Parent will be successful in doing so.
(u) Parent's
business plan as envisioned is heavily dependent on the Parent's contract with
Xxxxxxxxxx.xxx, under which, among other things, Xxxxxxxxxx.xxx is to endeavor
to use its best efforts to deliver and update all or a majority of the data
regarding China in its website. There is no guarantee that Xxxxxxxxxx.xxx,
respectively, will be able to effectively perform under its contract, if at
all.
In the event that Xxxxxxxxxx.xxx fails to perform effectively under such
contract, Parent's business as proposed will be materially adversely
affected.
32
(v) Each
Shareholder understands and consents to the placement of a legend on any
certificate or other document evidencing Parent Class C Common Stock and
Underlying Parent Stock stating that such Parent Class C Common Stock and
Underlying Parent Stock has not been registered under the Act and setting forth
or referring to the restrictions on transferability and sale thereof. Each
certificate evidencing the Shares shall bear the legends set forth below, or
legends substantially equivalent thereto, together with any other legends that
may be required by federal or state securities laws at the time of the issuance
of the Parent Class C Common Stock and Underlying Parent Stock:
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL (I) REGISTERED
UNDER THE ACT OR (II) (A) THE ISSUER OF THE SHARES (THE “ISSUER”) HAS RECEIVED
AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT
SUCH
OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
ACT
AND (B) THE CONSENT OF THE ISSUER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT AND PLANS
OF
MERGERS REFERRED TO BELOW.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO “DRAG ALONG” PROVISIONS AND OTHER
RESTRICTIONS PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN AGREEMENT AND PLANS OF MERGERS BETWEEN,
AMONG OTHERS, THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER. A COPY OF SAID AGREEMENT
IS
AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPANY UPON REQUEST
(w) Each
Shareholder consents that Parent may permit the transfer of the Parent Class
C
Common Stock and the Underlying Parent Stock out of its name only (i) after
the
Contingent Payment Period (ii) when its request for transfer is accompanied
by
an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that neither the
sale nor the proposed transfer results in a violation of the Act or any
applicable foreign securities or U.S. state “blue sky” laws (collectively
“Securities Laws”) and (iii) to a transferee acceptable to Parent, so long as
the Underlying Parent Stock is not Publicly Traded.
3.31. Software.
(a) Schedule
3.31(a) contains a true, correct, complete and accurate list of each Company's
owned software (“Software”), except for “shrink wrap” software. Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.31(a), the listed Company is the sole and exclusive owner
of
such Software.
33
(b) All
software used or held for use by the Companies that is not owned by the
Companies (the “Third Party Software”) (including any commonly available “shrink
wrap” Software copyrighted by third parties) is used pursuant to an agreement or
license and each such agreement or license is valid and enforceable and in
full
force and effect and neither the Companies nor, to the knowledge of the
Companies, any licensor is in material default under or in breach of any such
license or agreement. Schedule 3.31(b) lists all of the material Third Party
Software of the Companies.
(c) The
Software and the Third Party Software and each Company's rights therein are
sufficient and adequate to conduct the business of each Company to the full
extent the business of each Company is conducted as of the date hereof and
as
such business will be conducted as of the Closing. Consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in an impairment
of
the rights of any Company to any of the Software, or to any Third Party
Software. Consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will
not result in any increase of any license fees with respect to any of the Third
Party Software. All Software and any Third Party Software that is incorporated
into the Software perform in accordance with the documentation and other written
material used in connection with the Software and Third Party Software, is
in
machine readable form and contains all current revisions of such Software and
Third Party Software. The Software and, to the knowledge of each Company, the
Third Party Software, is free of material defects in operations. The Software
and, to the knowledge of each Company, the Third Party Software, contains no
disabling devices.
(d) The
source code for all Software will compile into object code or otherwise be
capable of performing the functions described in the documentation pertaining
to
the Software in all material respects. All source code and other documentation
concerning the Software is free of any defect which would prevent it from
compiling or performing in all material respects.
3.32. Business
Operations; Servers.
(a) Schedule
3.32(a) is a complete and correct list of the methods of payment (including
specific types of credit cards accepted and whether or not personal checks,
bank
checks or money orders are accepted) that each of the Companies accepts for
sales of merchandise from their respective Websites (and in the case of Skynet
from its retail storefront) and from advertising. Schedule 3.32(a) also
indicates the average amount of time taken for the applicable Company to receive
payment on any form of payment and the likelihood of such Company not receiving
payment based on the form of payment.
(b) The
Companies each own all of their servers and other computer equipment (other
than
webservers) necessary to operate their respective businesses as conducted as
of
the date hereof and as such businesses will be conducted by such Company as
of
the Closing.
(c) The
amounts payable and paid by the Companies each month to DataPipe and Devix
for
various hosting and bandwidth services provided to the Companies has been $500
and $950 per month, respectively. Consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement will not result in any increase in fees or any change with
respect to such services.
34
(d) Schedule
3.32(d) is a complete and correct list of the websites owned and maintained
by
each Company and indicates which such Company operates each website. Except
as
indicated on Schedule 3.32(d), all websites are in good working
order.
(e) Except
as
set forth on Schedule 3.32(e), since November 7, 2005, none of the Companies
has
declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution or bonus payment to
any
Shareholder or employee of any of the Companies except that notwithstanding
the
foregoing, but subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Companies
may so payout in the aggregate an amount not in excess of all accrued but
previously undistributed profits for periods ended prior to October 1,
2005.
3.33. Powers
of Attorney and Suretyships.
Neither
Company has any general or special powers of attorney outstanding (whether
as
grantor or grantee thereof) or any obligation or liability (whether actual,
accrued, accruing, contingent, or otherwise) as guarantor, surety, co-signer,
endorser, co-maker, indemnitor or otherwise in respect of the obligation of
any
Person.
3.34. Other
Information.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the documents or other information made available
to
Parent or its Affiliates, attorneys, accountants, agents or representatives
pursuant hereto or in connection with Parent's due diligence review of the
business of each Company or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained therein not misleading. To the best knowledge of each Company and
each
Shareholder each Company has provided Parent with all material information
regarding the Business.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
Parent
represents and warrants to each Company and each Shareholder as
follows:
4.1. Due
Incorporation.
Parent
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and as of Closing will be
in
good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Merger Subs are
corporations duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
Laws of the State of Delaware. Parent has all requisite power and authority,
corporate and otherwise, and all governmental licenses, franchises, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals required to own, lease, and operate
its
assets, properties and businesses and to carry on its business as now conducted
on the date hereof. Merger Subs have not conducted any business to date and
has
only engaged in certain activities relating to its organization. Parent has
not
adopted any plan, or made any agreement in respect of any merger, consolidation,
sale of all or substantially all of its assets, reorganization,
recapitalization, dissolution or liquidation.
4.2. Corporate
Authorization.
The
execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Subs of this Agreement
and each of the other Additional Agreements to which it is a party and the
consummation by Parent and Merger Subs of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby are within the corporate powers of Parent and Merger Subs and have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent
and
Merger Subs. This Agreement constitutes, and upon their execution and delivery,
each of the Additional Agreements will constitute, the valid and legally binding
agreement of Parent or Merger Subs, as applicable, enforceable against each
in
accordance with their respective terms.
35
4.3. Governmental
Authorization.
None of
the execution, delivery or performance by Parent or Merger Subs of this
Agreement or any Additional Agreement requires any consent, approval, license
or
other action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with,
any Authority by Parent or Merger Subs, except for the filing of the certificate
of amendment by the Parent to create the Parent Class C Common Stock, the
respective certificates of merger and Form D with the SEC.
4.4. No
Violation.
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Additional Agreement to
be
executed by Parent or Merger Subs hereunder nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein and therein will (a) violate any provision
of
Parent's or Merger Subs' Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or other charter
documents; or (b) violate any Laws or Orders to which either Parent or Merger
Subs or their property is subject.
4.5. Charter
Documents.
Parent
and Merger Subs have previously delivered to the Companies and Shareholders
true
and complete copies of its respective Articles of Incorporation and By-laws,
as
in effect or constituted on the date hereof
4.6. Consents.
There
are no agreements, commitments, arrangements, contracts or other instruments
binding upon Parent or Merger Subs or any of their properties requiring a
consent, approval, authorization, order or other action of or filing with any
Person as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
or any of the Additional Agreements or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.
4.7. Capitalization
of Parent and Merger Subs.
Schedule 4.7 sets forth, with respect to Parent, (i) the Parent’s authorized
capital stock, (ii) the number of shares of Parent’s common stock that is
outstanding, (iii) each security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Parent’s common stock, the number of shares of common stock such security is
convertible into, and the exercise or conversion price of such security. The
issuance of all the outstanding capital stock of Parent has been duly
authorized, and all such capital stock is validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
4.8. Financial
Statements.
(a) Attached
hereto as Schedule 4.8 is an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Parent
as
of December 31, 2005 and the audited balance sheet of Parent as of December
31,
2004, and statements of operations and retained earnings and cash flow
statements of Parent for the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31,
2005
(collectively, the “Parent Financial Statements”). The balance sheet contained
in the Parent Financial Statements as of the twelve months ended December 31,
2005 is referred to herein as the “Interim Parent Balance Sheet”. The Parent
Financial Statements (i) were prepared from the books and records of Parent;
(ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; (iii)
fairly and accurately present Parent's financial condition and the results
of
its operations as of their respective dates and for the periods then ended;
(iv)
contain and reflect all necessary adjustments and accruals for a fair
presentation of Parent's financial condition as of their dates; and (v) contain
and reflect adequate provisions for all reasonably anticipated liabilities
for
all material income, property, sales, payroll or other Taxes applicable to
Parent with respect to the periods then ended.
36
(b) Except
as
specifically disclosed, reflected or fully reserved against on the Interim
Parent Balance Sheet and for liabilities and obligations of a similar nature
and
in similar amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date
of
the Interim Parent Balance Sheet, there are no liabilities, debts or obligations
of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, unasserted or otherwise) relating to Parent. All debts and
liabilities, fixed or contingent, which should be included under GAAP on an
accrual basis on the Interim Balance Sheets are included therein.
4.9. Litigation.
There
is no action, suit, investigation, hearing or proceeding (or any basis therefor)
pending against, or to the best knowledge of Parent, threatened against or
affecting, Parent, any of its officers or directors, or the business of Parent,
before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official
which if adversely determined against Parent, has or could reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, condition
(financial or otherwise), liabilities, results or operations or prospects of
Parent, or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter
or
delay the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no outstanding judgments
against Parent.
4.10. Issuance
of Parent Class C Common Stock.
The
Parent Class C Common Stock, when issued in accordance with this Agreement,
will
be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
4.11. Finders’
Fees.
There
is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been
retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Parent or Merger Subs or any
of
their Affiliates who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the
Companies or the Shareholders or any of their respective Affiliates upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.12. Other
Information.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the documents or other information made available
to
Shareholders or their Affiliates, attorneys, accountants, agents or
representatives pursuant hereto or in connection with the Companies' and the
Shareholders' due diligence review of the business of Parent, Merger Subs or
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not
misleading.
ARTICLE
V
COVENANTS
OF THE COMPANIES AND THE SHAREHOLDERS PENDING CLOSING
Each
Company and the Shareholders jointly and severally covenant and agree
that:
5.1. Conduct
of the Business.
From the
date hereof through the Effective Time, Shareholders shall cause each Company
to, and each Company shall, conduct the Business only in the ordinary course
(including the payment of accounts payable and the collection of accounts
receivable), consistent with past practices, and shall not enter into any
material transactions without the prior written consent of Parent, and shall
use
their respective best efforts to preserve intact each Company's business
relationships with employees, advertisers, suppliers, customers and other third
parties.
37
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, from the date hereof until the
Effective Time, without Parent's prior written consent, none of the Companies
shall:
(a) amend,
waive any provision of, terminate prior to its scheduled expiration date, or
otherwise compromise in any way, any Contract (including contracts described
in
clause (b) below), or any other right or asset of such respective
Company;
(b) enter
into any contract, agreement, lease, license or commitment, which (i) is with
respect to real property, (ii) extends for a term of one year or more or (iii)
obligates the payment of more than $200,000 (individually or in the
aggregate);
(c) make
any
capital expenditures in excess of $50,000 (individually or in the aggregate);
(d) sell,
lease, license or otherwise dispose of any assets or assets covered by any
Contract except (i) pursuant to existing contracts or commitments disclosed
herein and (ii) sales of inventory in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice;
(e) accept
returns of products sold from Inventory except in the ordinary course,
consistent with past practice;
(f) pay,
declare or promise to pay any dividends or other distributions with respect
to
its capital stock, or pay, declare or promise to pay any other payments to
any
Shareholder (other than payments of salary accrued in said period at the current
salary rate set forth in Schedule 3.24) or any Affiliate of such Company;
provided,
however,
that,
notwithstanding
the forgoing and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, but without
duplication, the Companies may so payout in the aggregate an amount not in
excess of all accrued but previously undistributed profits for periods ended
prior to October 1, 2005;
(g) authorize
any salary increase of more than 10% for any employee making an annual salary
of
greater than $50,000 or in excess of $5,000 in the aggregate on an annual basis
or change the bonus or profit sharing policies of such Company;
(h) obtain
or
suffer to exist any Indebtedness in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate;
(i) suffer
or
incur any Lien on any asset of such Company except for Liens existing as of
the
date hereof as set forth on Schedule 3.15(b);
38
(j) suffer
any damage, destruction or loss of property related to any assets of such
Company, whether or not covered by insurance;
(k) delay,
accelerate or cancel any receivables or Indebtedness owed to such Company or
write-off or make further reserves against the same;
(l) merge
or
consolidate with or acquire any other Person or be acquired by any other
Person;
(m) suffer
any insurance policy protecting the assets of such Company to lapse;
(n) make
any
change in its accounting principles or methods or write down the value of any
inventory or assets;
(o) change
the place of business of such Company;
(p) extend
any loans other than travel or other expense advances to employees in the
ordinary course of business not to exceed $2,000 individually or $7,500 in
the
aggregate;
(q) issue,
redeem or repurchase any shares of their respective capital stock or membership
interests;
(r) effect
or
agree to any material changes in shipping practices, terms or
rates;
(s) reduce
the prices of products sold from Inventory for customers except in the ordinary
course of business;
(t) effect
or
agree to any change in any practices or terms, including payment terms, with
respect to customers or suppliers;
(u) hire
any
employees, consultants or advisors;
(v) make
or
rescind any election related to Taxes, file any amended income Tax Return or
make any changes in its methods of Tax accounting; or
(w) agree
to
do any of the foregoing.
None
of
the Companies nor the Shareholders shall cause such Company to, (i) take or
agree to take any action that might make any representation or warranty of
such
Company or any Shareholder hereunder inaccurate in any respect at, or as of
any
time prior to, the Closing Date or (ii) omit to take, or agree to omit to take,
any action necessary to prevent any such representation or warranty from being
inaccurate in any respect at any such time.
39
5.2. Access
to Information.
(a) From
the
date hereof until and including the Closing Date, each Company shall, and each
Shareholder shall cause each respective Company to, (a) continue to give Parent,
its counsel and other representatives full access to the offices, properties,
books and records of each respective Company, (b) furnish to Parent, its counsel
and other representatives such information relating to the Business as such
Persons may request and (c) cause the employees, counsel, accountants and
representatives of each respective Company to cooperate with Parent in its
investigation of the Business; provided
that
no
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.2 (or any investigation prior to
the date hereof) shall affect any representation or warranty given by any of
the
Companies or the Shareholders;
(b) Each
Company and the Shareholders shall arrange for representatives of Parent to
meet
with or speak to the representatives of the three (3) largest suppliers of
each
Company.
5.3. Notices
of Certain Events.
Each
Company and each Shareholder shall promptly notify Parent of:
(i) any
notice or other communication from any Person alleging or raising the
possibility that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement might give rise to any claims or causes of action
or other rights by or on behalf of such Person or result in the loss of any
rights or privileges of such Company to any such Person or any Lien or any
of
the Shares;
(ii) any
notice or other communication from any Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(iii) any
actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or threatened
against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting any Shareholder, the
Shares, any Company or the Business or that relate to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(iv) the
occurrence of any fact or circumstance which might make any representation
made
hereunder by any Company and/or any Shareholder false in any respect or result
in the omission or the failure to state a material fact.
ARTICLE
VI
COVENANTS
OF THE COMPANIES AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
The
Companies and the Shareholders jointly and severally covenant and agree
that:
6.1. Confidentiality.
Except
as otherwise required by law, on and after the Closing, no Shareholder shall,
without the prior written consent of Parent, or a person authorized thereby,
disclose to any other Person or use (whether for the account of any Shareholder
or any other party) any confidential information or proprietary work product
of
Parent, any Surviving Corporation or the Companies or any client of Parent,
any
Surviving Corporation or the Companies. In the event any Shareholder believes
that it is required to disclose any such confidential information pursuant
to
applicable Laws, such Shareholder shall give timely written notice to Parent
so
that Parent may have an opportunity to obtain a protective order or other
appropriate relief. All Shareholders shall cooperate fully in any such action
by
Parent.
40
6.2. Conduct
of the Business.
From the
Closing Date until the end of the Contingent Period, the Shareholders shall
cause the respective Surviving Corporations to, and each Surviving Corporation
shall, conduct the Business only in the ordinary course (including the payment
of accounts payable and the collection of accounts receivable), consistent
with
past practices of the Companies, and shall not enter into any material
transactions without the prior written consent of Parent or the approval of
the
board of directors of such respective Surviving Corporation, and shall use
their
respective best efforts to preserve intact the respective Surviving
Corporations' business relationships with employees, advertisers, suppliers,
customers and other third parties. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, from the Closing Date through the end of the Contingent Payment
Period, without Parent's prior written consent, or the approval of the board of
directors of such Surviving Corporation, the Surviving Corporation shall
not:
(a) enter
into any contract, agreement, lease, license or commitment which is outside
the
ordinary course of business or, even if the ordinary course of business,
involving payments in excess of $10,000 or having a term in excess of three
months or involving any real property;
(b) make
any
capital expenditures;
(c) sell,
lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, except sales of
Inventory in the ordinary course consistent with past practice;
(d) accept
returns of products sold from Inventory except in the ordinary course,
consistent with past practice;
(e) obtain
or
suffer to exist any loan or other Indebtedness;
(f) suffer
or
incur any Lien on any of its assets;
(g) merge
or
consolidate with or acquire any other Person or be acquired by any other
Person;
(h) issue,
redeem or repurchase any shares of their respective capital stock;
(i) effect
or
agree to any material changes in shipping practices, terms or
rates;
(j) reduce
the prices of products sold from Inventory for customers except in the ordinary
course of business; or
(k) agree
to
do any of the foregoing.
41
6.3. Exclusivity.
So long
as this Agreement is in effect, neither of the Companies nor any Shareholder
nor
anyone acting on their behalf shall, directly or indirectly, (i) encourage,
solicit, initiate or participate in discussions or negotiations with, or provide
any information to or cooperate in any manner with any Person, other than Parent
or its Affiliates (collectively “Excluded Persons”), or an officer, partner,
employee or other representative of an Excluded Person, concerning the sale
of
all or any part of the business of any of the Companies or the capital stock
or
other securities of any of the Companies, whether such transaction takes the
form of a sale of stock or assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise or any
joint venture or partnership, or (ii) otherwise solicit, initiate or encourage
the submission of any proposal contemplating the sale of all or any part of
the
business of any of the Companies or the capital stock or other securities of
any
Company, whether such transaction takes the form of a sale of stock or assets,
merger, consolidation or otherwise or any joint venture or partnership or
(iii) consummate any such transaction or accept any offer or agree to
engage in any such transaction. The Companies or Shareholders shall promptly
(within 24 hours) communicate to Parent the terms of any proposal, contract
or
sale which it may receive in respect of any of the foregoing and respond to
any
such communication in a manner reasonably acceptable to Parent. The Notice
of
the Companies or the Shareholders under this Section 6.3 will include the
identity of the person making such proposal or offer, copies (if written) or
a
written description of the terms (if oral) thereof and any other such
information with respect thereto as Parent may reasonably request.
6.4. Reporting
and Compliance With Law.
From
the date hereof through the Closing Date, each Company shall duly and timely
file all respective Tax Returns required to be filed with Authorities, pay
any
and all Taxes required by any Authority and duly observe and conform, in all
material respects, to all applicable Laws and Orders.
6.5. Injunctive
Relief.
If
either Company or any Shareholder breaches, or threatens to commit a breach
of,
any of the covenants set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.3, or Section 13.4
(the
“Restrictive Covenants”), Parent shall have the following rights and remedies,
which shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies
available to Parent by agreement (including those set forth in Section 11.1
hereof), under law or in equity:
(a) The
right
and remedy to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court
having equity jurisdiction, all without the need to post a bond or any other
security or to prove any amount of actual damage or that money damages would
not
provide an adequate remedy, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such
breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to Parent and that
monetary damages will not provide adequate remedy to Parent; and
(b) The
right
and remedy to require the Companies and each Shareholder, jointly and severally,
(i) to account for and pay over to Parent all compensation, profits, monies,
accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by the Companies,
any
Shareholder or any associated party as the result of any such breach; and (ii)
to indemnify Parent against any other losses, damages (including special and
consequential damages), costs and expenses, including actual attorneys fees
and
court costs, which may be incurred by it and which result from or arise out
of
any such breach or threatened breach.
42
6.6. Covenants
with respect to Parent Class C Common Stock.
(a) If
the
holders in the aggregate of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Underlying Parent Stock, as one class (“Selling Shareholders”), propose to sell,
assign, mortgage, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all,
but
not less than all, of their respective shares to a third party in one or a
series of related transactions which is approved by a majority of the Parent's
Board of Directors, then the Selling Shareholders may, at their option, require
each Shareholder or any transferee (the “Holder”) to sell all of such Holder's
capital stock of Parent in such transfer to the third party on the same terms
and conditions, and for the same consideration, as the Selling Shareholders.
The
Holder shall take such necessary or desirable actions in connection with the
consummation of such transaction as reasonably requested by Parent or the
Selling Shareholders.
(b) From
the
Closing Date to the end of the Contingent Payment Period, the Shareholders
may
not transfer any shares of the Parent Class C Common Stock or the Underlying
Parent Stock except (i) in accordance with Section 6.6(a) and with the consent
of Parent, (ii) for estate-planning purposes of such Person to (A) a trust
under which the distribution of the shares of Parent Class C Common Stock or
the
Underlying Parent Stock may be made only to beneficiaries who is such Person,
his or her spouse, his or her parents, members of his or her immediate family
or
his or her lineal descendants, and provided that such trust may never make
a
distribution to anyone other than such persons, (B) a charitable remainder
trust, the income from which will be paid to such Person during his or her
life,
(C) a corporation, the stockholders of which are only such Person, his or
her spouse, his or her parents, members of his or her immediate family or his
or
her lineal descendants and whose stockholders will at all times remain such
persons or (D) a partnership or limited liability company, the partners or
members of which are only such Person, his or her spouse, his or her parents,
members of his or her immediate family or his or her lineal descendants and
whose partners or members will at all times remain such persons, and
(iii) in case of his or her death, by will or by the laws of intestate
succession, to his or her executors, administrators, testamentary trustees,
legatees or beneficiaries, unless any class of Parent's common stock is Publicly
Traded in which case the Shareholders may transfer their shares of Parent Class
C Common Stock or the Underlying Parent Stock on the later of (x) the end of
the
Contingent Payment Period, and (y) six months after shares of the Parent Class
C
Common Stock or the Underlying Parent Stock first becomes Publicly
Traded.
(c) Each
Holder agrees that in connection with an underwritten public offering of capital
stock of Parent, upon the request of Parent or the principal underwriter
managing such public offering, the Parent Class C Common Stock and any
Underlying Parent Stock (and any shares received directly or indirectly with
respect thereto) may not be sold, offered for sale or similar financial effect
or otherwise disposed of without the prior written consent of Parent or such
underwriter, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding six months after
the
effectiveness of the registration statement filed in connection with such
offering, but only to the extent that Parent's directors, executive officers
and/or their immediate family are similarly bound. Each Holder agrees to sign
such further documents as Parent may reasonably request to give this subsection
(c) effect. The lock-up agreement established pursuant to this subsection (c)
shall have perpetual duration.
43
(d) Each
Shareholder understands and agrees that if he should breach his Restrictive
Covenant Agreement or his Employment Agreement, as the case may be, or be
dismissed for “cause”, as such term is defined in his Employment Agreement
(each, a “Repurchase Event”), then Parent shall have the right (but not the
obligation) to repurchase all of such Shareholder's Parent Class C Common Stock
and any outstanding Underlying Parent Stock (and any shares received directly
or
indirectly with respect thereto), for a period of one hundred and eighty (180)
days, at its fair market value as such is determined on the date of the
respective Repurchase Event.
(e) Each
Shareholder understands that due to the fact that Parent Class C Common Stock
and the Underlying Parent Stock cannot be readily purchased or sold in the
open
market, and for other reasons, the Parent and/or its existing shareholders
may
be irreparably damaged in the event that Sections 6.6(a) through (d) are not
specifically enforced. Consequently, in the event of a breach or threatened
breach of the terms, covenants and/or conditions of Sections 6.6(a) through
(d),
Parent is, in addition to all other remedies, entitled to a temporary or
permanent injunction, without showing any actual damage or posting a bond,
and/or a decree for specific performance, in accordance with the provisions
hereof.
(f) Termination
of Restrictions and Registration Rights
(i) The
restrictions and rights provided for in Section 6.6(a), shall terminate in
the
event that the Parent Class C Common Stock or the Underlying Parent Stock
becomes Publicly Traded. As used herein, common stock is “Publicly Traded” if
stock of that class is (i) listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges
on
a national securities exchange, the NASDAQ National Market or the NASDAQ
Smallcap Market, the Hong Kong Exchange, the Hong Kong GEM, the London Stock
Exchange, the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investors Market (AIM) or any
other recognized foreign stock exchange or (ii) if sales or bid and offer
quotations are reported for that class of stock in the automated quotation
system operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
(ii) In
the
event that, prior to the earlier of the second anniversary of the date of this
Agreement or the date the Underlying Parent Stock is Publicly Traded or the
Initial Public Offering of Parent, Parent grants registration rights to any
Person (the “Receiving Persons”), the Shareholders will, with respect to the
shares (the “Rights Shares”) of Underlying Parent Stock issuable upon the
conversion of the Parent Class C Common Stock distributed to them pursuant
to
this Agreement, receive “piggyback”
registration rights on the same terms and conditions as the “piggyback”
registration rights granted to the Receiving Persons.
(iii) Any
registration rights granted pursuant to Section 6.6(f)(ii) will be subject
to
usual and customary cutbacks and limitations, including that the Parent will
not
be required to register any shares as to which the resale provisions of Rule
144
under the Act as well as all applicable Laws and rules of any exchange or
automated quotation system on which the Underlying Parent Stock trades or may
be
listed.
44
(iv) The
Shareholders may only be granted, and may only exercise, registration rights
one
time pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6(f)(ii).
(v) The
number of Rights Shares pursuant to which registration rights under Section
6.6(f)(ii) may be granted for each Shareholder shall be limited to the number
of
Rights Shares equal to (X) the number of Rights Shares issuable upon conversion
of all of the shares of Parent Class C Common Stock distributed to the
Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement multiplied by (Y) the quotient of (i)
the
number of shares of capital stock of Parent with registration rights issued
to
the Receiving Person divided by (ii) the total number of shares of capital
stock
of Parent outstanding on a fully diluted basis.
ARTICLE
VII
COVENANTS
OF ALL PARTIES HERETO
The
parties hereto covenant and agree that:
7.1. Best
Efforts; Further Assurances.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party shall use its best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary or desirable under applicable Laws, and in the case
of the Companies and each Shareholder as reasonably requested by Parent, to
consummate and implement expeditiously the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The parties hereto shall execute and deliver such other documents,
certificates, agreements and other writings and take such other actions as
may
be necessary or desirable in order to consummate or implement expeditiously
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.2. Confidentiality
of Transaction.
Any
information (except publicly available or freely usable material obtained from
another source) respecting any party or its Affiliates will be kept in strict
confidence by all other Parties to this Agreement and their agents. Except
as
required by Law, neither the Companies, any Shareholder nor any of their
respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents will disclose
the terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder at any time, currently,
or
on or after the Closing, regardless of whether the Closing takes place, except
as necessary to their attorneys, accountants and professional advisors, in
which
instance such persons and any employees or agents of the Companies shall be
advised of the confidential nature of the terms of the transaction and shall
themselves be required by the Companies to keep such information confidential.
Except as required by Law, each Party shall retain all information obtained
from
the other and their lawyers on a confidential basis except as necessary to
their
attorneys, accountants and professional advisors, in which instance such persons
and any employees or agents of such Party shall be advised of the confidential
nature of the terms of the transaction and shall themselves be required by
such
party to keep such information confidential.
7.3. Best
Efforts to Obtain Consents.
The
Companies and each Shareholder hereby agree to use their best efforts to obtain
each respective Company Consent as promptly as practicable
hereafter.
45
7.4. Tax
Matters.
(a) The
Shareholders shall prepare or cause to be prepared and, subject to Parent's
review and approval, file or cause to be filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns
with respect to each Company for taxable periods ending on or prior to the
Closing Date. The Shareholders shall prepare or cause to be prepared such Tax
Returns on a basis consistent with the similar Tax Returns for the immediately
preceding periods and shall not make, amend, revoke or terminate any election
or
change any tax accounting method, practice or procedure without Parent's
consent, except that Skynet has revoked its “subchapter S” status for federal
and New York State income Tax purposes as of October 1, 2005. Shareholder shall
give a copy of each such Tax Return to Parent prior to filing and shall not
file
the same without Parent's reasonable approval. The Shareholders shall timely
pay
the Taxes shown to be due and owing by the Companies on such Tax
Returns.
(b) Parent
shall include the Surviving Corporations or cause the Surviving Corporations
to
be included in its consolidated federal income Tax Return for the period that
includes the day after the Closing Date.
(c) Subject
to Section 7.4(a), Parent shall duly and timely file or cause to be filed all
Tax Returns required to be filed by the Surviving Corporations after the Closing
Date and shall pay or cause the Surviving Corporations to pay all Taxes required
to be paid with respect to periods commencing after the Closing
Date.
7.5. Management
of the Surviving Companies.
The
following provisions shall govern the operations of each Surviving Corporation
during the period commencing on the Closing Date through the Contingent Payment
Period.
(a) Parent
and the Shareholders agree that during the Contingent Payment Period, the
Surviving Corporations together, will operate and be managed as a separate
subsidiary from Parent and its other Affiliates, reporting to and subject to
the
authority of Parent.
(b) Management.
(i) The
operations of each Surviving Corporation shall be conducted to: (i) comply
on a
timely basis with the financial reporting and budgeting procedures of Parent
as
from time to time in effect, which procedures require the approval of annual
profit and capital expenditure plans; (ii) operate within any Parent policies
as
from time to time in effect, and (iii) operate generally within the parameters
of the then current profit plan and capital expenditure budget of such Surviving
Corporation as proposed by Benzaken and approved by Parent; provided, however,
that if the parties are unable to agree upon the same in good faith, then Parent
has the right to establish the same.
(ii) Subject
to the provisions of clause (a) above and provisions of the Employment Agreement
that Benzaken is executing and delivering on the date hereof, during the
Contingent Payment Period, Benzaken, shall have primary responsibility and
authority for the day-to-day operations of the Surviving Corporations and,
together with Parent, the long-term planning of such Surviving Corporations.
Subject to the foregoing, Benzaken shall be responsible for: (i) personnel
selection and termination, and (ii) establishment of compensation levels for
Surviving Corporation employees (excluding employees whose compensation is
governed by an employment contract and any Affiliate of Benzaken), provided
that
all increases in compensation for any fiscal year shall be made only in
accordance with the current budget of such Surviving Corporation as proposed
by
Benzaken and approved by Parent.
46
(c) Restricted
Activities.
During
the Contingent Payment Period, Parent agrees that it will not cause either
Surviving Corporation to take or acquiesce in such Surviving Corporation taking
any of the following actions without the prior written consent of the
Representative:
(i) any
sale,
lease or disposition of all or a substantial portion of the assets or Business
of such Surviving Corporation;
(ii) entering
into any line of business not related to the Business of such Surviving
Corporation;
(iii) any
acquisition by such Surviving Corporation of the stock, assets or business
of
another Person;
(iv) the
merger, consolidation or amalgamation of such Surviving Corporation with and
into another Person or of another Person with and into such Surviving
Corporation; or
(v) the
adoption or amendment of any profit sharing or other employee benefit plan
except for such amendments as may be required by law.
7.6. Changes
in Management.
The
Parties hereto understand and agree that under the terms of the Employment
Agreements by certain of the Shareholders, such Shareholder may be terminated
with or without Cause (as defined therein). Accordingly, each of the parties
hereto agrees that if (a) the employment of one or more of the Shareholders
terminates during the Contingent Payment Period regardless of the reason
therefor, (b) or there are changes in the composition of the Board of Directors
of the Surviving Corporations, no Party to this Agreement shall have the right
(x) to make a claim that Parent or such Surviving Corporation is in breach
of
this Agreement as a result of any such action, or (y) to make a claim against
Parent or any of its Affiliates that as a result of any such action the Merger
Consideration has been adversely affected.
ARTICLE
VIII
CONDITIONS
TO CLOSING
8.1. Condition
to the Obligations of Parent, Merger Subs and the
Companies.
The
obligations of Parent, Merger Subs and Companies to consummate the Closing
are
subject to the satisfaction of all the following conditions:
(a) No
provision of any applicable Law or Order shall prohibit or impose any condition
on the consummation of the Closing or limit in any material way Parent's right
to control or operate the Surviving Corporations or any material portion of
the
Businesses.
(b) There
shall not be pending or threatened any proceeding by a third-party to enjoin
or
otherwise restrict the consummation of the Closing.
47
8.2. Conditions
to Obligations of Parent and Merger Subs.
The
obligation of Parent and Merger Subs to consummate the Closing is subject to
the
satisfaction, or the waiver at Parent's and Merger Subs' sole and absolute
discretion, of all the following further conditions:
(a) (i)
Each
of the Companies and Shareholders shall have duly performed in all material
respects all of their respective obligations hereunder required to be performed
by them at or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) the representations and warranties
of each Company and Shareholders contained in this Agreement, the Additional
Agreements and in any certificate or other writing delivered by the respective
Company or any Shareholder pursuant hereto, disregarding all qualifications
and
exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect,
shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and
as of
such date with only such exceptions as could not in the aggregate reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) there shall have been no
event, change or occurrence which individually or together with any other event,
change or occurrence, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Change or a Material Adverse Effect, regardless of whether it involved a known
risk, and (iv) Parent and Merger Subs shall have received a certificate signed
by the President and Chief Financial Officer of each Company and all respective
Shareholders to the effect set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this
Section 8.2(a).
(b) No
court,
arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official shall have issued any Order,
or have pending before it a proceeding for the issuance of any thereof, and
there shall not be any provision of any applicable Law, statute, rule or
regulation, restraining or prohibiting the consummation of the Closing or the
effective operation or enjoyment by Parent or the Surviving Corporations of
the
Business after the Closing Date.
(c) Shareholders
shall have delivered to Parent certificates representing the
Shares.
(d) Parent
shall have received all documents it may request relating to the existence
of
the Companies and the authority of each Company to enter into and perform its
respective obligations under this Agreement, all in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Parent and its legal counsel, including (i) a copy
of
the certificate of incorporation of each respective Company certified as of
a
recent date by the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization,
(ii)
copies of such Company's bylaws as effective on the date hereof; (iii) copies
of
resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of each Company and by the
unanimous vote or consent of each Company's shareholders authorizing this
Agreement and the Additional Agreements and the transaction contemplated hereby
and thereby, (iv) a certificate of the Secretary of each Company certifying
each
of the foregoing and as to signatures of the officer(s) authorized to execute
this Agreement and any certificate or document to be delivered pursuant hereto,
together with evidence of the incumbency of such Secretary, and (v) a recent
good standing certificate regarding each respective Company from the office
of
the Secretary of State of the State of New York or State of New Jersey, as
the
case may be, and each other jurisdiction in which such Company is qualified
to
do business.
48
(e) Parent
shall be fully satisfied, in its sole discretion which shall be exercised in
good faith, with the results of its and its representatives' review of each
Company and the Business (including any review of the assets, financial
condition, and prospects of the Business); provided,
that no
such review shall affect any representation or warranty of the Companies or
any
Shareholder given hereunder or in any instrument related to the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(f) Each
of
Buyer's Edge and the Members shall have duly performed all of their respective
obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement to be performed by them at or
prior to the Closing Date thereunder and Parent shall be fully satisfied, in
its
sole discretion which shall be exercised in good faith, that all such conditions
with respect to the Closing as defined thereunder shall have been fulfilled
and
satisfied.
(g) Certificates
representing all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Skynet Common
Stock
and the Zylonet Common Stock shall be presented at the Closing for cancellation,
together with the original stock ledgers and minute books of the
Companies.
(h) Parent
or
either Merger Sub shall have reasonably determined that, after Parent or either
Merger Sub has had the opportunity to meet or speak to representatives of the
largest suppliers of each of the Companies pursuant to Section 5.2, all such
suppliers will provide the Surviving Corporations terms for the purchase of
products as favorable to the Surviving Corporations as the terms provided to
each of the Companies.
(i) Each
Merger Sub will have entered into an agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to it, with one or more banks and/or credit card companies,
pursuant to which, from and after the Closing, said banks and/or credit card
companies will process said Surviving Corporation's credit card arrangements
for
the Business or a letter (in form and substance satisfactory to each Merger
Sub)
from each existing bank or credit card company that said Merger Sub may continue
to process credit card arrangements pursuant to the agreements of the Companies
with respect thereto until such time as said Merger Sub enters into its own
agreements with such banks and/or credit card companies.
(j) Parent
shall have received all Company Consents (including any required consents of
the
landlords under the Real Property Leases), in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Parent, and no such Company Consent shall have been
revoked.
(k) Each
of
the Companies shall have delivered to Parent documents satisfactory to Parent
to
evidence the release of all Liens on any portion of the assets of the respective
Company and the filing of appropriate UCC-3 Termination Statements, other than
on behalf of Samsung respect with to its inventory of goods and merchandise
and
any proceeds thereof (including accounts receivable, promissory notes,
installment contracts, contract rights, chattel papers and instruments arising
therefrom).
(l) Each
of
Benzaken, Xxxxxx Xxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx shall have entered into and delivered
to Parent an employment agreement with the Companies substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibits
X-0,
X-0,
X-0,
respectively (collectively, the “Employment Agreements”), and the same shall be
in full force and effect.
49
(m) Each
of
the Shareholders shall have entered into and delivered to Parent a restrictive
covenant agreements with the Companies substantially in the form attached hereto
as Exhibits
A-4,
respectively (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenant Agreements”), and the same
shall be in full force and effect.
(n) Parent
shall have received an affidavit of Shareholders of non-foreign status in the
form required by Section 1445 of the Code and the regulations
thereunder.
(o) Neither
the Companies nor Buyer's Edge shall have any Indebtedness, other than
Indebtedness of Buyer’s Edge to Skynet.
(p) The
aggregate Adjusted Tangible Personal Property of the Companies and Buyer's
Edge
shall exceed their aggregate liabilities by at least the amount of the Minimum
Required EBITDA.
(q) Each
officer and director of the Companies shall have tendered their resignation
from
such positions.
8.3. Conditions
to Obligations of the Companies.
The
obligation of the Companies to consummate the Closing is subject to the
satisfaction, or the waiver at the Companies discretion, of all the following
further conditions:
(a) (i)
Parent and each Merger Sub shall have performed in all material respects all
of
their respective obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or
prior to the Closing Date, (ii) the representations and warranties of Parent
contained in this Agreement, the Additional Agreements and in any certificate
or
other writing delivered by Parent or Merger Sub pursuant hereto, disregarding
all qualifications and expectations contained therein relating to materiality,
shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing
Date, as if made at and as of such date, (iii) there shall have been no event,
change or occurrence which individually or together with any other event, change
or occurrence, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect,
regardless of whether it involved a known risk, on the business, assets,
condition (financial or otherwise), liabilities, result of operations of
prospects of the Parent or any Merger Sub, and (iv) each Shareholder shall
have
received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of Parent and Merger
Sub
to the foregoing effect.
(b) The
Companies shall have received (i) a copy of the certificate of incorporation
of
the Parent and each Merger Sub, (ii) copies of the bylaws of each of Parent
and
each Merger Sub as effective on the date hereof; (iii) copies of resolutions
duly adopted by the Board of Directors of Parent and Merger Sub and by the
unanimous vote or consent of Merger Sub's shareholders authorizing this
Agreement and the Additional Agreements and the transaction contemplated hereby
and thereby, (iv) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
Parent and each Merger Sub certifying each of the foregoing and as to signatures
of the officer(s) authorized to execute this Agreement and any certificate
or
document to be delivered pursuant hereto, together with evidence of the
incumbency of such Secretary or Assistant Secretary, and (v) a recent good
standing certificate regarding Parent and each Merger Sub from the office of
the
Secretary of State of its respective jurisdiction of organization and each
other
jurisdiction in which each Company is qualified to do business.
50
(c) The
Companies shall have delivered to each of the Shareholders a duly executed
copy
of their respective Employment Agreements.
(d) Parent
shall have made a demand loan to the Companies in the amount equal to the lesser
of (i) all accrued but previously undistributed profits of the Companies (as
mutually agreed to by the Companies and Parent), and (ii)
[$________].
(e) The
transactions contemplated in the Asset Purchase Agreement shall have been
consummated simultaneous with the Closing.
ARTICLE
IX
RELIANCE
ON REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
9.1. Reliance
on Representations and Warranties of each Company and the
Shareholders.
Notwithstanding any right of Parent to fully investigate the affairs of each
Company and notwithstanding any knowledge of facts determined or determinable
by
Parent pursuant to such investigation or right of investigation, Parent shall
have the right to rely fully upon the representations, warranties, covenants
and
agreements of each Company and the Shareholders contained in this
Agreement.
9.2. Reliance
on Representations and Warranties of Parent.
Each
Company and the Shareholders shall have the right to rely fully on Parent's
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein, notwithstanding
any investigation by the Companies or the Shareholders and notwithstanding
any
knowledge of facts determined or determinable by the Companies or the
Shareholders pursuant to such investigation or right of
investigation.
51
ARTICLE
X
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1. Indemnification
of Parent, Merger Subs and Surviving Corporations.
(a) Prior
to
the Closing Date, each Company and each Shareholder, and subsequent to the
Closing Date each Shareholder, hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless Parent, the Merger Subs and Surviving Corporations and their
Affiliates (including, after the Closing, Buyer's Edge) and each of their
respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, attorneys and agents
and permitted assignees (collectively, the “Purchaser Indemnitees,” provided,
however,
the
term “Purchaser Indemnitees” shall not include any of the Shareholders
regardless of their capacity), against and in respect of any and all loss,
payments, demand, penalty, liability, judgment, damage, diminution in value,
claim or out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including actual costs of
investigation and attorneys' fees and other costs and expenses) (all of the
foregoing collectively, “Losses”) incurred or sustained by any Purchaser
Indemnitee as a result of (i) any breach, inaccuracy or nonfulfillment or
the alleged breach, inaccuracy or nonfulfillment of any of the representations,
warranties and covenants of any of the Companies or any of the Shareholders
contained herein or in the Additional Agreements (but not the Employment
Agreements) or any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto or
of
Buyer's Edge or of the Members (ii) the failure to pay any claims by any third
parties (including breach of contract claims, violations of warranties,
trademark infringement, for “spamming”, privacy violations, torts or consumer
complaints) with respect to the business of the Companies or Buyer's Edge for
any period prior to the Closing Date, (iii) the violation of any Laws by any
of
the Companies or Buyer's Edge prior to the respective Closing, or (iv) the
failure to pay any Taxes incurred prior to the Closing to any Tax Authority
or
to file any Tax Return with any Tax Authority; provided,
that
Losses in connection with Sections 10.1(ii), (iii) and (iv) shall be deemed
to
include any amounts payable after the Closing pursuant to or otherwise in
connection with any of the matters listed on Schedule 3.19. The total payments
made by the Companies and the Shareholders to the Purchaser Indemnitees with
respect to Losses shall not exceed the sum of Merger Consideration plus the
Purchase Price of the transactions contemplated under the Asset Purchase
Agreement (the “Maximum Indemnification”); provided,
however,
that no
Purchaser Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Section 10.1 unless and until the aggregate amount of Losses to all Purchaser
Indemnitees equals at least $50,000, at which time, subject to the foregoing
cap
on the maximum amount payable, the Purchaser Indemnitees shall be entitled
to
indemnification for the total amount of such Losses. Any indemnification
obligation of the Shareholders or the Companies under this Article X shall
be
first applied against the Holdback Amount, if any, at $3.50 per shares.
Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section 10.1, any Loss incurred
by
any Purchaser Indemnitee: (i) arising out of any Company's or any Shareholder's
breach of or failure to perform any covenant or obligation to be performed
by
any Company or any Shareholder at, or any Shareholder after, the Closing,
including the failure to pay any Taxes, (ii) pursuant to or otherwise in
connection with any of the matters listed on Schedule 3.19, or (iii) in
connection with the Holdback Amount, shall not be subject to or applied against
the minimum amount of Losses or the cap set forth in the previous sentence.
Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section 10.1, no Shareholder shall
be
liable for a Loss in connection with any other Shareholder's breach of any
of
the terms and conditions set forth under Article VII or any Additional
Agreements.
52
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, any amounts paid to a third party by Parent from
the
Holdback Amount shall not be considered a Loss for the purposes of Section
10.1;
provided,
further,
that
any amounts paid to the Shareholders from the Holdback Amounts, under the terms
of Section 2.3(i), shall be eligible for the repayment by Shareholders to the
Purchaser Indemnitee in connection with a Loss for the purposes of Section
10.1.
10.2. Indemnification
of Shareholders.
Parent
and each Merger Sub hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Shareholders
(the “Shareholder Indemnitees”) against and in respect of any Losses incurred or
sustained by Shareholder Indemnitees as a result of any breach, inaccuracy
or
nonfulfillment or the alleged breach, inaccuracy or nonfulfillment of any of
the
representations, warranties and covenants of Parent or either Merger Sub
contained herein or any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto.
The total payments made by Parent and each Merger Sub to Shareholder Indemnitees
with respect to Losses shall not exceed the Merger Consideration; provided,
however,
Shareholder Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to
this Section 10.2 unless and until the aggregate amount of Losses to Shareholder
Indemnitees equals at least $50,000, at which time, subject to the foregoing
cap
on the maximum amount payable, the Shareholder Indemnitees shall be entitled
to
indemnification for the total amount of such Losses. Notwithstanding anything
set forth in this Section 10.2, any Loss incurred by any Shareholders arising
out of Parent's or either Merger Subs' breach or failure to perform any covenant
or obligation to be performed by Parent or either Merger Sub at or after the
Closing Date, shall not be subject to or applied against the minimum amount
of
Losses or the cap set forth in the previous sentence.
10.3. Procedure.
The
following shall apply with respect to all claims by either a Purchaser
Indemnitee or a Shareholder Indemnitee (together, “Indemnified Party”) for
indemnification:
(a) An
Indemnified Party shall give the Representative or Parent, or Merger Subs,
as
applicable (either, “Indemnifying Parties”), prompt notice (an “Indemnification
Notice”) of any third-party claim, investigation, action, suit, hearing or
proceeding with respect to which such Indemnified Party seeks indemnification
pursuant to Section 10.1 or 10.2 (a “Third-Party Claim”), which shall
describe in reasonable detail the loss, liability or damage that has been or
may
be suffered by the Indemnified Party. The failure to give the Indemnification
Notice shall not impair any of the rights or benefits of such Indemnified Party
under Section 10.1 or 10.2, except to the extent such failure materially and
adversely affects the ability of the Indemnifying Parties to defend such claim
or increases the amount of such liability.
53
(b) In
the
case of any Third-Party Claims as to which indemnification is sought by any
Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Party shall be entitled, at the sole expense
and liability of the Indemnifying Parties, to exercise full control of the
defense, compromise or settlement of any Third-Party Claim unless the
Indemnifying Parties, within a reasonable time after the giving of an
Indemnification Notice by the Indemnified Party (but in any event within 20
days
thereafter), shall (i) deliver a written confirmation to such Indemnified Party
that the indemnification provisions of Section 10.1 or 10.2 are applicable
to
such claim, investigation, action, suit, hearing or proceeding and the
Indemnifying Parties will indemnify such Indemnified Party in respect of such
claim, investigation, action or proceeding pursuant to the terms of Section
10.1
or 10.2 and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, shall do so without
asserting any challenge, defense, limitation on the Indemnifying Parties
liability for Losses, counterclaim or offset, (ii) notify such Indemnified
Party
in writing of the intention of the Indemnifying Parties to assume the defense
thereof, and (iii) retain legal counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
Indemnified Party to conduct the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(c) If
the
Indemnifying Parties assume the defense of any such Third-Party Claim then
the
Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Parties in any manner
reasonably requested in connection with the defense, compromise or settlement
thereof. If the Indemnifying Parties so assume the defense of any such
Third-Party Claim the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or
settlement thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel employed by the
Indemnified Party shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless
(i)
the Indemnifying Parties have agreed to pay such fees and expenses, or (ii)
the
named parties to any such Third-Party Claim (including any impleaded parties)
include an Indemnified Party and an Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified
Party shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be a conflict of
interest between such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Parties in the
conduct of the defense thereof, and in any such case the reasonable fees and
expenses of such separate counsel shall be borne by the Indemnifying
Parties.
(d) If
the
Indemnifying Parties elect to direct the defense of any Third-Party Claim,
the
Indemnified Party shall not pay, or permit to be paid, any part of any claim
or
demand arising from such asserted liability unless the Indemnifying Parties
withdraw from or fail to vigorously prosecute the defense of such asserted
liability, or unless a judgment is entered against the Indemnified Party for
such liability. If the Indemnifying Parties do not elect to defend, or if,
after
commencing or undertaking any such defense, the Indemnifying Parties fail to
prosecute or withdraw such defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the right
to undertake the defense or settlement thereof, at the Indemnifying Parties'
expense. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Indemnifying Parties
shall not be entitled to control, but may participate in, and the Indemnified
Party (at the expense of the Indemnifying Parties) shall be entitled to have
sole control over, the defense or settlement of (x) that part of any Third
Party
Claim (i) that seeks a temporary restraining order, a preliminary or permanent
injunction or specific performance against the Indemnified Party, or (ii) to
the
extent such Third Party Claim involves criminal allegations against the
Indemnified Party or (y) the entire Third Party Claim if such Third Party Claim
could impose liability on the part of the Indemnified Party in an amount which
is greater than the amount as to which the Indemnified Party is entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement. In the event the Indemnified Party retains
control of the Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party will not settle the
subject claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party,
which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
54
(e) If
the
Indemnified Party assumes the defense of any such Third-Party Claim pursuant
to
Section 10.1 or 10.2 and proposes to settle the same prior to a final judgment
thereon or to forgo appeal with respect thereto, then the Indemnified Party
shall give the Indemnifying Parties prompt written notice thereof and the
Indemnifying Parties shall have the right to participate in the settlement,
assume or reassume the defense thereof or prosecute such appeal, in each case
at
the Indemnifying Parties' expense. The Indemnifying Parties shall not, without
the prior written consent of such Indemnified Party settle or compromise or
consent to entry of any judgment with respect to any such Third-Party Claim
(i)
in which any relief other than the payment of money damages is or may be sought
against such Indemnified Party or (ii) which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant, person conducting such
investigation or initiating such hearing, plaintiff or petitioner to such
Indemnified Party of a release from all liability with respect to such
Third-Party Claim and all other claims or causes of action (known or unknown)
arising or which might arise out of the same facts.
10.4. Periodic
Payments.
Any
indemnification required by Section 10.1 or 10.2 for costs, disbursements or
expenses of any Indemnified Party in connection with investigating, preparing
to
defend or defending any claim, action, suit, hearing, proceeding or
investigation shall be made by periodic payments by the Indemnifying Parties
to
each Indemnified Party during the course of the investigation or defense, as
and
when bills are received or costs, disbursements or expenses are
incurred.
10.5. Right
of Set Off.
In the
event that Parent or any Surviving Corporation is entitled to any
indemnification pursuant to this Article, Parent or such Surviving Corporation
shall be entitled to set off any amounts owed to (x) the Shareholders pursuant
to Sections 2.3 and/or (y) the Members pursuant to Section 2.6(c) under the
Asset Purchase Agreement against the amount of such indemnification. In the
event of such a set-off, the set-off will first be allocated to: (i) any cash
to
which Shareholders are otherwise entitled pursuant to this Agreement and then
to
(ii) the shares of Parent Class C Common Stock to which Shareholders are
otherwise entitled pursuant to this Agreement at $3.50 per share. Any such
set-off will be treated as an adjustment to the Merger
Consideration.
10.6. Payment
of Indemnification by Shareholders.
In the
event that Parent or any Surviving Corporation is entitled to any
indemnification pursuant to this Article and Parent or such Surviving
Corporation are unable to set off such indemnification pursuant to Section
10.5,
the Shareholders shall pay the amount of the indemnification (subject to the
limitation set forth in Section 10.1) first from any available amounts under
Section 2.5(i) (the Holdback Amount), and then in cash up to the amount of
cash
received by the Shareholders as part of the Merger Consideration, and then
in
shares of Parent Class C Common Stock at $3.50 per share. Any payments by
Shareholders to a Purchaser Indemnitee will be treated as an adjustment to
the
Merger Consideration.
55
10.7. Insurance.
Any
indemnification payments hereunder shall take into account any insurance
proceeds or other third party reimbursement actually received.
10.8. Survival
of Indemnification Rights.
Except
for the representations and warranties in (i) Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.9
and 3.10, which shall survive until the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date
and (ii) Sections 3.22, 3.26, 3.28 and 3.29, which shall survive until the
expiration of the statue of limitations with respect thereto, the
representations and warranties of each Company, Shareholders and Parent shall
survive until the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date. The indemnification
to
which any Indemnified Party is entitled from the Indemnifying Parties pursuant
to Section 10.1 or 10.2 for Losses shall be effective so long as it is asserted
prior to (x) the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date, in the case of Section
10.8(i); (y) the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, in the
case of Section 10.8(ii) and the breach or the alleged breach of any covenant
or
agreement of each Company or any Indemnifying Party; and (z) the fourth
anniversary of the Closing Date, in the case of all other representations and
warranties of each Company, Shareholders and Parent hereunder. The obligations
of the Companies (but not of the Shareholders) in Articles V and VI shall
terminate upon the Closing.
ARTICLE
XI
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
11.1. Arbitration.
(a) The
Parties shall promptly submit any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out
of
or relating to this Agreement, or any Additional Agreement (including with
respect to the meaning, effect, validity, termination, interpretation,
performance, or enforcement of this Agreement or any Additional Agreement)
or
any alleged breach thereof (including any action in tort, contract, equity,
or
otherwise), to binding arbitration before one arbitrator (“Arbitrator”). The
Parties agree that binding arbitration shall be the sole means of resolving
any
dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or
any Additional Agreement (including with respect to the meaning, effect,
validity, termination, interpretation, performance or enforcement of this
Agreement or any Additional Agreement) or any alleged breach thereof (including
any claim in tort, contract, equity, or otherwise).
56
(b) If
the
Parties cannot agree upon the Arbitrator, the Arbitrator shall be selected
by
the New York City chapter head of the American Arbitration Association upon
the
request of either side. The Arbitrator shall be selected within 30 days of
request.
(c) The
laws
of the State of New York shall apply to any arbitration hereunder. In any
arbitration hereunder, this Agreement and any agreement contemplated hereby
shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to a contract
negotiated, signed, and wholly to be performed in the State of New York, which
laws the Arbitrator shall apply in rendering his decision. The Arbitrator shall
issue a written decision, setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of
law,
within sixty (60) days after he shall have been selected. The Arbitrator shall
have no authority to award punitive or other exemplary damages.
(d) The
arbitration shall be held in New York City, New York in accordance with and
under the then-current provisions of the rules of the American Arbitration
Association, except as otherwise provided herein.
(e) On
application to the Arbitrator, any party shall have rights to discovery to
the
same extent as would be provided under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
and
the Federal Rules of Evidence shall apply to any arbitration under this
Agreement; provided, however, that the Arbitrator shall limit any discovery
or
evidence such that his decision shall be rendered within the period referred
to
in Section 11.1(c).
(f) The
Arbitrator may, at his discretion and at the expense of the Party who will
bear
the cost of the arbitration, employ experts to assist him in his determinations.
(g) The
costs
of the arbitration proceeding and any proceeding in court to confirm any
arbitration award or to obtain relief as provided in Section 6.5, as applicable
(including actual attorneys' fees and costs), shall be borne by the unsuccessful
party and shall be awarded as part of the Arbitrator's decision, unless the
Arbitrator shall otherwise allocate such costs, for the reasons set forth,
in
such decision. The determination of the Arbitrator shall be final and binding
upon the Parties and not subject to appeal.
(h) Any
judgment upon any award rendered by the Arbitrator may be entered in and
enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction. The parties expressly consent
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts (Federal and state) in New York
City, New York to enforce any award of the Arbitrator or to render any
provisional, temporary, or injunctive relief in connection with or in aid of
the
Arbitration. The Parties expressly consent to the personal and subject matter
jurisdiction of the Arbitrator to arbitrate any and all matters to be submitted
to arbitration hereunder. None of the Parties hereto shall challenge any
arbitration hereunder on the grounds that any party necessary to such
arbitration (including the Parties hereto) shall have been absent from such
arbitration for any reason, including that such Party shall have been the
subject of any bankruptcy, reorganization, or insolvency
proceeding.
(i) The
Parties shall indemnify the Arbitrator and any experts employed by the
Arbitrator and hold them harmless from and against any claim or demand arising
out of any arbitration under this Agreement or any agreement contemplated
hereby, unless resulting from the willful misconduct of the person
indemnified.
57
(j) This
arbitration clause shall survive the termination of this Agreement and any
agreement contemplated hereby.
11.2. Waiver
of Jury Trial; Exemplary Damages.
ALL
PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE
ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT. No Party shall be
awarded punitive or other exemplary damages respecting any dispute arising
under
this Agreement or any Additional Agreement.
11.3. Attorneys’
Fees.
The
unsuccessful Party to any court or other proceeding arising out of this
Agreement that is not resolved by arbitration under Section 11.1 shall pay
to
the prevailing party all attorneys' fees and costs actually incurred by the
prevailing party, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.
As used in this Section 11.3 and elsewhere in this Agreement, “actual
attorneys' fees” or “attorneys' fees actually incurred” means the full and
actual cost of any legal services actually performed in connection with the
matter for which such fees are sought, calculated on the basis of the usual
fees
charged by the attorneys performing such services, and shall not be limited
to
“reasonable attorneys' fees” as that term may be defined in statutory or
decisional authority.
ARTICLE
XII
TERMINATION
12.1. Termination
Without Default.
In the
event that the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder has not
occurred by March 31, 2006 (the “Outside Closing Date”) and no material breach
of this Agreement by the party seeking to terminate this Agreement shall have
occurred or have been made (as provided in Section 12.2 hereof) Parent and
Merger Subs or any four Shareholders, acting together, shall have the right,
at
its sole option, to terminate this Agreement without liability to the other
side. Such right may be exercised by Parent and Merger Subs, on the one hand,
or
any four Shareholders on the other, as the case may be, giving written notice
to
the other at any time after the Outside Closing Date.
12.2. Termination
Upon Default.
(a) Parent
and Merger Subs may terminate this Agreement by giving notice to any of the
Companies or any of the Shareholders on or prior to the Closing, without
prejudice to any rights or obligations Parent and Merger Subs may have, if
any
of the Companies or any Shareholder shall have materially breached any
representation or warranty or breached any agreement or covenant contained
herein or in any Additional Agreement to be performed prior to Closing and
such
breach shall not be cured within the earlier of the Scheduled Closing Date
and
five (5) days following receipt by the Companies or Shareholders of a notice
describing in reasonable detail the nature of such breach.
(b) The
Representative may terminate this Agreement by giving prior written notice
to
Parent, without prejudice to any rights or obligations any Shareholder or the
Companies may have, if Parent or Merger Subs shall have materially breached
any
of its covenants, agreements, representations, and warranties contained herein
to be performed prior to Closing and such breach shall not be cured within
the
earlier of the Scheduled Closing Date and five (5) days following receipt by
Parent of a notice describing in reasonable detail the nature of such
breach.
58
12.3. Survival.
The
provisions of Sections 7.2 and 10.4 shall survive any termination hereof
pursuant to Article XII.
ARTICLE
XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1. Notices.
All
notices, requests, demands and other communications to any party hereunder
shall
be in writing and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopier
number set forth below, or such other address or telecopier number as such
party
may hereinafter specify by notice to each other party hereto:
if
to
Parent and Merger Subs (prior to the Closing) or Parent and Surviving
Corporations (after the Closing), to:
c/o
Accoona Corp.
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attn:
President
Telecopy:
201-557-9377
with
a
copy to:
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
59
if
to any
Company or any Shareholder (prior to the Closing):
x/x
Xxxxxx
000/000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxx PLLC
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxx, Esq.
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
Each
such
notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by
telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number specified
herein and the appropriate answer back is received or, (ii) if given by
certified mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails
with
first class postage prepaid, properly addressed or, (iii) if given by any other
means, when delivered at the address specified herein.
13.2. Amendments;
No Waivers.
(a) Any
provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such
amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment,
by
each party hereto (or in the case of the Shareholder, the Representative),
or in
the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be
effective.
(b) No
failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided
shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by
law.
13.3. Ambiguities.
The
parties acknowledge that each party and its counsel has materially participated
in the drafting of this Agreement and consequently the rule of contract
interpretation that, and ambiguities if any in, the writing be construed against
the drafter, shall not apply.
13.4. Publicity.
Except
as required by law, the parties agree that neither they nor their agents shall
issue any press release or make any other public disclosure concerning the
transactions contemplated hereunder without the prior approval of the other
party hereto.
13.5. Expenses.
All
costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such
cost
or expense.
60
13.6. Successors
and Assigns.
The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
that
(i) neither the Companies nor any Shareholder may assign, delegate or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of Parent; and (ii) in the event Parent assigns
its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Affiliate, Parent shall
continue to remain liable for its obligations hereunder.
13.7. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement has been entered into in the State of New Jersey. Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by
the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of
laws
principles thereof.
13.8. Counterparts;
Effectiveness.
This
Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be an
original and all of which shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument,
with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the
same
instrument.
13.9. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to
the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and
negotiations, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement. No representation, inducement, promise,
understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein has been made or
relied upon by any party hereto. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof
is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights
or remedies hereunder other than Indemnified Parties as set forth in Section
10.1 and 10.2 hereof, which shall be a third party beneficiary
hereof.
13.10. Severability.
If
any
one or more provisions of this Agreement shall, for any reasons, be held to
be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality
or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but
this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein.
13.11. Captions.
The
captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be
ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.
13.12. Construction.
(a) All
references in this Agreement to “including” shall be deemed to mean “including,
without limitation”.
(b) For
the
avoidance of any doubt, all references in this Agreement to “the knowledge or
best knowledge of the Companies” or similar terms shall be deemed to include the
knowledge or best knowledge of any Shareholder.
(c) Where
the
context or construction requires, all words applied in the plural shall be
deemed to have been used in the singular, and vice versa; the masculine shall
include the feminine and neuter, and vice versa; and the present tense shall
include the past and future tense, and vice versa.
61
13.13. Shareholders’
Representative.
(a) Each
Shareholder hereby appoints Benzaken, as such Shareholder's representative
to
act as Representative for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, with the right, in such capacity, in his discretion, to
do
any and all things and to execute any and all documents in such Shareholder's
place and stead, in any way which such Shareholder could do if personally
present, in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the authority on behalf of such Shareholder, without giving
notice to such Shareholder, to take any of the following actions:
(i) to
accept
on such Shareholder's behalf any amount payable to such Shareholder under this
Agreement;
(ii) to
deliver such Shareholder's certificates representing Shares;
(iii) to
negotiate and otherwise deal with Parent, in all respects;
(iv) to
accept
and give service of process and all other notices and other communications
relating to this Agreement;
(v) to
settle
any dispute relating to the terms of this Agreement;
(vi) to
execute any instrument or document that the Representative may determine is
necessary or desirable in the exercise of his authority under this Agreement
and
power-of-attorney; and
(vii) to
act in
connection with all matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the power to employ auditors, attorneys and
other Persons in connection therewith.
(b) Each
Shareholder further agrees, as follows:
(i) such
Shareholder recognizes the inherent conflict of interest of Benzaken as the
Representative and as a continuing employee of the Companies and waives any
claims with respect thereto;
(ii) the
Representative (A) shall not incur any personal liability for acting in such
capacity if in doing so he acts upon advice of counsel or otherwise acts in
good
faith, (B) shall not incur any personal liability for acting in such capacity
in
the absence of his willful misconduct, (C) may act upon any instrument or
signature believed by him to be genuine and may assume that any Person
purporting to give any notice or instruction under this Agreement or under
any
other related agreement or document believed by him to be authorized has been
authorized to do so (D) shall not be responsible for the investment of any
payments received from Parent for the benefit of the Shareholders, and (E)
shall
be promptly reimbursed by the Shareholders, pro rata in proportion to their
ownership of Shares immediately prior to the Closing, for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by him in his capacity of Representative, and such expenses shall
first
be satisfied from any Initial Payment or Contingent Payment paid by Parent
and
received by the Representative for the benefit of the Shareholders, prior to
distribution of such payments to the Shareholders; and
62
(c) If
Benzaken is unable to serve or resigns as the Representative, the Shareholders
may appoint from among their ranks a substitute Representative to replace
Benzaken which individual shall have all the powers and authority granted to
Benzaken by this Section 13.13. Purchaser shall accept such substitute
Representative without objection; provided,
however,
that
Benzaken shall continue to serve as the Representative until such substitute
Representative has been appointed by the Shareholders.
(d) At
and
after Closing, Purchaser shall be entitled to deal exclusively with the
Representative on all matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby involving the Shareholders, or any of them, and shall be
entitled to rely conclusively (without further evidence of any kind whatsoever)
on any statements made by the Representative or documents executed or purported
to be executed on behalf of any Shareholder by the Representative, and on any
other action taken or purported to be taken on behalf of any Shareholder by
the
Representative including, without limitation, the appropriate communication
or
delivery to the Shareholders.
[END
OF PAGE]
63
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Merger Subs and the Companies have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers and the
Shareholders and the Representative have executed this Agreement as of the
day
and year first above written.
Accoona Corp. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Chief
Executive Officer
|
SN Acquisition Corp. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
||
Title |
ZS Acquisition Corp. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
||
Title |
Skynet Communications Corp. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx President |
||
Title |
64
Zylonet Systems Inc. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx President |
||
Title |
Shareholders: | ||
|
|
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx |
Representative: | ||
|
|
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
65
Schedule
I
Skynet
|
||||
Shareholders
|
Number
of Shares
|
%
of Merger Consideration
|
||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
50
|
25%
|
||
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
50
|
25%
|
||
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
50
|
25%
|
||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
25
|
12.5%
|
||
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
25
|
12.5%
|
||
Zylonet
|
||||
Shareholders
|
Number
of Shares
|
%
of Merger Consideration
|
||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
50
|
25%
|
||
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
50
|
25%
|
||
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
50
|
25%
|
||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
25
|
12.5%
|
||
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
25
|
12.5%
|
66