SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT THE PURCHASERS OF THE NOTES NAMED HEREIN QUEEQUEG PARTNERS, L.P., as Agent a21, INC. and SUPERSTOCK, INC. Dated: April 27, 2006
THE
PURCHASERS OF THE NOTES NAMED HEREIN
QUEEQUEG
PARTNERS, L.P., as Agent
a21,
INC.
and
SUPERSTOCK, INC.
Dated:
April 27, 2006
1.
|
Agreement
to Sell and Purchase
|
3
|
2.
|
Fees
|
3
|
3.
|
Closing,
Delivery and Payment
|
3
|
|
3.1 Closing
|
3
|
|
3.2 Delivery
|
4
|
4.
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Company
|
4
|
|
4.1 Organization,
Good Standing and Qualification
|
5
|
|
4.2 Subsidiaries
|
5
|
|
4.3 Capitalization;
Voting Rights
|
5
|
|
4.4 Authorization;
Binding Obligations
|
7
|
|
4.5 Liabilities
|
7
|
|
4.6 Financial
Statements
|
8
|
|
4.7 Agreements
|
8
|
|
4.8 Obligations
to Related Parties
|
8
|
|
4.9 Changes
|
8
|
|
4.10
Title to Properties and Assets; Encumbrances,
Etc
|
10
|
|
4.11 Intellectual
Property
|
10
|
|
4.12 Compliance
with Other Instruments; No Conflict, Breach Violation or
Default
|
12
|
|
4.13 Litigation
|
12
|
|
4.14 Consents
|
12
|
|
4.15 Tax
Returns and Payments
|
13
|
|
4.16 Employees.
|
13
|
|
4.17 Registration
Rights and Voting Rights
|
14
|
|
4.18 Compliance
with Laws; Permits
|
14
|
|
4.19 Environmental
Matters
|
15
|
|
4.20 Insurance
Coverage
|
15
|
|
4.21 Valid
Offering
|
15
|
|
4.22 SEC
Reports
|
15
|
|
4.23 a21’s
Listing
|
16
|
|
4.24 Brokers
and Finders
|
16
|
|
4.25 No
Directed Selling Efforts or General Solicitation
|
16
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|
4.26 No
Integrated Offering
|
16
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|
4.27 Questionable
Payments
|
16
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|
4.28 Internal
Controls
|
17
|
|
4.29 Stop
Transfer
|
17
|
|
4.30 Dilution
|
17
|
|
4.31 Disclosures
|
17
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5.
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Purchasers
|
18
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|
5.1 No
Shorting
|
18
|
|
5.2 Requisite
Power and Authority
|
18
|
|
5.3 Investment
Representations
|
18
|
|
5.4 Such
Purchaser Bears Economic Risk
|
18
|
|
5.5 Acquisition
for Own Account
|
19
|
i
|
5.6 Such
Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest
|
19
|
|
5.7 Accredited
Investor
|
19
|
|
5.8 Legends
|
19
|
6.
|
Covenants
of the Company
|
20
|
|
6.1 Reservation
of Common Stock; Increase of Authorized Capital
|
20
|
|
6.2 Stop-Orders
|
20
|
|
6.3 Listing
|
20
|
|
6.4 Market
Regulations
|
20
|
|
6.5 Reporting
Requirements
|
21
|
|
6.6 Use
of Funds
|
22
|
|
6.7 Access
to Facilities
|
22
|
|
6.8 Conduct
of Business
|
22
|
|
6.9 Change
of Business; Misstatements
|
23
|
|
6.10 Notice
of Event of Default
|
23
|
|
6.11 Suits
and Proceedings
|
23
|
|
6.12 Material
Breach of Contract
|
23
|
|
6.13 Officer’s
Certificate
|
23
|
|
6.14 Taxes
|
24
|
|
6.15 Intellectual
Property
|
24
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|
6.16 Properties
|
24
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|
6.17 No
Conflicting Agreements
|
24
|
|
6.18 Insurance
|
24
|
|
6.19 Compliance
with Laws
|
25
|
|
6.20 Removal
of Legends
|
25
|
|
6.21 Director
Designee
|
25
|
|
6.22 Required
Approvals
|
26
|
|
6.23 Margin
Stock
|
29
|
|
6.24 Option
to Participate in Future Financings
|
30
|
6.25 Form D; Blue Sky Filings | 30 | |
7.
|
Covenants
of the Purchasers
|
31
|
|
7.1 Confidentiality
|
31
|
|
7.2 Non-Public
Information
|
31
|
|
7.3 Share
Increase
|
31
|
|
7.4 Tax
Information
|
31
|
8.
|
Indemnification
|
32
|
|
8.1 Company
Indemnification
|
32
|
|
8.2 Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings
|
32
|
9.
|
Miscellaneous
|
33
|
|
9.1 Governing
Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial
|
33
|
|
9.2 Severability
|
33
|
|
9.3 Survival
|
34
|
|
9.4 Successors
|
34
|
|
9.5 Amendment
and Waiver
|
34
|
|
9.6 Notices
|
34
|
|
9.7 Titles
and Subtitles
|
35
|
ii
|
9.8 Facsimile
Signatures; Counterparts
|
35
|
|
9.9 Broker’s
Fees
|
35
|
|
9.10 Construction
|
36
|
|
9.11 Termination
|
36
|
|
9.12 Appointment
of Agent
|
36
|
|
9.13 Duties
of Agent
|
36
|
|
9.14 Application
of Proceeds
|
37
|
|
9.15 Actions
in Concert
|
38
|
|
9.16 Agent’s
Indemnity
|
38
|
|
9.17 Agent
and Affiliates
|
39
|
|
9.18 Purchaser
Decisions
|
39
|
|
9.19 Confidential
Information
|
39
|
|
9.20 Publicity
|
40
|
|
9.21 Expenses
|
41
|
|
9.22 Independent
Nature of Purchasers' Obligations and Rights
|
41
|
9.23
Equal Treatment of Purchasers
|
41 |
iii
LIST
OF EXHIBITS
|
|
List
of Purchasers
|
Exhibit
A
|
Form
of Convertible Term Note
|
Exhibit
B
|
Form
of Future Note
|
Exhibit
C
|
LIST
OF SCHEDULES
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
Schedule
4.2
|
Capitalization
|
Schedule
4.3
|
Agreements
|
Schedule
4.7
|
Obligations
to Related Parties
|
Schedule
4.8
|
Changes
|
Schedule
4.9
|
Title
to Properties
|
Schedule
4.10
|
Litigation
|
Schedule
4.13
|
Tax
Returns and Payments
|
Schedule
4.15
|
Employees
|
Schedule
4.16
|
Registration
Rights and Voting Rights
|
Schedule
4.17
|
SEC
Reports
|
Schedule
4.22
|
Internal
Controls
|
Schedule
4.28
|
Indebtedness
|
Schedule
6.10(d)
|
1
THIS
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
April 27, 2006, by and among a21, Inc., a Texas corporation (“a21”), and
Superstock, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Superstock” and, together with a21,
individually, and collectively, the “Company”), the purchasers set forth on
Exhibit
A
hereto
(each an “Initial Purchaser” and collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”),
purchasers that hereinafter become a party hereto in accordance with the
terms
of a joinder agreement on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the
Company and the Initial Purchasers (as defined herein) (each a “Future
Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Future Purchasers” and together with the
Initial Purchasers, collectively, the “Purchasers”) and Queequeg Partners, L.P.,
as agent for itself and the Other Purchasers (the “Agent”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the Company has authorized the sale to the Initial Purchasers
of
Secured Convertible Term Notes, which are the joint and several obligations
of
a21 and Superstock, in the aggregate principal amount of Fifteen Million
Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($15,500,000) in the form of Exhibit B
hereto
(as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, each an “Initial
Note” and collectively, the “Initial Notes”), which Initial Notes are
convertible into shares (the “Conversion Shares”) of a21’s common stock, $0.001
par value per share (the “Common Stock”), at an initial conversion price of
$0.65 per share of Common Stock (the “Initial Conversion Price”);
WHEREAS,
the Company has authorized the sale to the Future Purchasers of Secured
Convertible Notes in the aggregate principal amount of Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($500,000) in the form of Exhibit C (as amended, restated, modified
and/or supplemented from time to time, each a “Future Note” and collectively,
the “Future Notes”), provided that the sale of such Future Notes shall be
consummated on or before May 31, 2006 (provided that the Agent, by written
consent, may extend such date until June 30, 2006 in its sole discretion)
and
the terms of such Future Notes shall be in a form substantially similar to
the
Initial Notes;
WHEREAS,
each Purchaser desires to purchase an Initial Note or a Future Note (a “Note”)
on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Purchasers are executing and delivering this Agreement
in
reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by the
provisions of Regulation D (“Regulation D”), as promulgated by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”);
WHEREAS,
contemporaneous with the sale of the Notes, the parties hereto will execute
and
deliver a Registration Rights Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
D (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will
agree to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act and
the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities
laws; and
2
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to issue and sell the Notes to the Purchasers on the
terms
and conditions set forth herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises,
representations, warranties and covenants hereinafter set forth and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Agreement
to Sell and Purchase.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the
Closing
Date (as defined in Section 3), the Company shall sell to the Initial
Purchasers, and the Initial Purchasers shall purchase from the Company, the
Initial Notes. The sale of the Initial Notes on the Closing Date shall be
known
as the “Initial Offering.” The Future Notes may be sold to the Future Purchasers
at any time after the Closing Date; provided that the sale of such Future
Notes
shall be consummated on or before May 31, 2006 (or upon the prior written
consent of Agent, June 30, 2006). The sale of the Future Notes shall be known
as
a “Follow On Offering”). The Notes will mature on the Maturity Date (as defined
in the Initial Notes). Collectively, the Notes and Common Stock issuable
upon
conversion of the Notes are referred to as the “Securities.”
2. Fees.
On the
Closing Date:
(a) Subject
to limitation below, the Company shall reimburse the Initial Purchasers for
their reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in
connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the
Related Agreements (as hereinafter defined), and expenses incurred in connection
with the Initial Purchasers’ due diligence review of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 4.2) and all related matters. Amounts
required to be paid under this Section 2(a) will be due and payable on the
Closing Date and shall be no greater than $65,000 in the aggregate for all
such
expenses, incurred by all Initial Purchasers, referred to in this Section
2(a).
(b) The
expenses referred to in the preceding clause (a) shall be due and payable
at the
closing of the Initial Offering.
3. Closing,
Delivery and Payment.
3.1 Closing.
Subject
to the terms and conditions herein, (a) the closing of the Initial Offering
(the
“Closing”), shall take place on the date hereof, at such time or place as the
Company and the Initial Purchasers may mutually agree (such date is hereinafter
referred to as the “Closing Date”) and (b) the closing of a Follow On Offering
shall take place, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 1 hereof,
on a
date, at such time or place as the Company and the applicable Future Purchasers
may mutually agree.
3
3.2
Delivery.
(a) At
the
Initial Closing and on the closing of a Follow On Offering, the Company will
deliver to the applicable Purchasers, among other things,
(i) the
applicable Note duly executed by the Company;
(ii) the
Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by a21;
(iii) the
Master Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company,
certain
Subsidiaries of the Company and the Agent (as amended, modified and/or
supplemented from time to time, the “Master Security Agreement”) duly executed
by the Company;
(iv) the
Deed
of Charge Over Shares dated as of the date hereof between Superstock and
the
Agent (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Stock
Pledge Agreement”);
(v) a
Certificate, executed on behalf of each Company by its Secretary, dated as
of
the Closing Date, certifying the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors
of such Company approving the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and
the other Related Agreements and the issuance of the Securities, certifying
the
current versions of the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and certifying
as to
the signatures and authority of persons signing the Related Agreements and
related documents on behalf of the Company; and
(vi) an
opinion from Loeb & Loeb LLP, the Company's counsel, dated as of the Closing
Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchasers and
addressing such legal matters as the Purchasers may reasonably
request.
(b) At
the
Initial Closing and on the closing of a Follow On Offering, the applicable
Purchasers will deliver to the Company the amounts set forth in the applicable
Notes by certified funds or wire transfer.
4. Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
The
Company, as of the Closing Date, hereby represents and warrants to the
Purchasers as follows
4
4.1 Organization,
Good Standing and Qualification.
Each of
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership, company
or limited liability company, as the case may be, duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each of the
Company
and each of its Subsidiaries has the corporate, limited liability company
or
partnership, as the case may be, power and authority to operate its business
and
to own and operate its properties and assets and, insofar as it is or shall
be a
party thereto, to (1) execute and deliver (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Notes,
(iii) the Master Security Agreement, (iv) the Registration Rights Agreement,
(v)
the Stock Pledge Agreement and (vi) all other documents, instruments and
agreements entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby
and thereby (the preceding clauses (ii) through (v), collectively, the “Related
Agreements”); (2) issue and sell the Notes and, as respects a21, the Conversion
Shares; and (3) carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the Related
Agreements and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified and is authorized
to do
business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership or
limited liability company, as the case may be, in all jurisdictions in which
the
nature or location of its activities and of its properties (both owned and
leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions
in
which failure to do so has not, or could not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business,
assets, liabilities or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
4.2 Subsidiaries.
Each
direct and indirect Subsidiary of the Company, the direct owner of such
Subsidiary and its percentage ownership thereof, is set forth on Schedule
4.2.
For the
purpose of this Agreement, a “Subsidiary” of any person or entity means (i) a
corporation or other entity whose shares of stock or other ownership interests
having ordinary voting power (other than stock or other ownership interests
having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect
a
majority of the directors of such corporation, or other persons or entities
performing similar functions for such person or entity, are owned, directly
or
indirectly, by such person or entity or (ii) a corporation or other entity
in
which such person or entity owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of
the
equity interests at such time.
4.3 Capitalization;
Voting Rights.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of a21, as of the date hereof consists of 100,100,000
shares, of which 100,000,000 are shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001
per
share, 77,073,479 shares of which are issued and outstanding as of March
30,
2006, and 100,000 are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share
of
which 14,480 shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding. The
authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary of the
Company is set forth on Schedule
4.3.
5
(b) Except
as
disclosed on Schedule
4.3,
other
than: (i) the shares reserved for issuance under a21’s stock option plans; and
(ii) shares which may be granted pursuant to this Agreement and the Related
Agreements, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including
conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal), proxy or
stockholder agreements, or arrangements or agreements of any kind for the
purchase or acquisition from a21 of any of its securities. Except as disclosed
on Schedule
4.3,
neither
the offer, issuance or sale of any of the Notes, or the issuance of any of
the
Conversion Shares, nor the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby
will result in a change in the price or number of any securities of a21
outstanding, under anti-dilution or other similar provisions contained in
or
affecting any such securities.
(c) All
issued and outstanding shares of a21’s capital stock: (i) have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and free
of
preemptive rights; and (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable
state
and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities and any rights of
third
parties. Except as described on Schedule
4.3
or
disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings (as defined herein), all of the issued
and
outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of pre-emptive
rights, were issued in full compliance with applicable state and federal
securities law and any rights of third parties and are owned by the Company,
beneficially and of record, subject to no Encumbrance (as defined below).
Except
as described on Schedule
4.3
or
disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, no Person is entitled to pre-emptive
or
similar statutory or contractual rights with respect to any securities of
the
Company. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, neither the Company nor
any
of its Subsidiaries is currently in negotiations for the issuance of any
equity
securities of any kind other than Shares to be issued under stock option
plans.
Except as described on Schedule
4.3
or
disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, and except for the Registration Rights
Agreement, there are no voting agreements, buy-sell agreements, option or
right
of first purchase agreements or other agreements of any kind among the Company
and any of the securityholders of the Company relating to the securities
of the
Company held by them.
(d) Except
as
described on Schedule
4.3
or
disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, the Company does not have outstanding
stockholder purchase rights or “poison pill” or any similar arrangement in
effect giving any person or entity the right to purchase any equity interest
in
the Company upon the occurrence of certain events.
(e) The
rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of the Common
Stock are as stated in a21’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”). When
issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and a21’s Charter,
the Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and
will be
free of any Encumbrances; provided, however, that the Securities may be subject
to restrictions on transfer under state and/or federal securities laws as
set
forth herein or as otherwise required by such laws at the time a transfer
is
proposed.
6
(f) Other
than for a21 receiving the consent of the requisite number of its shareholders
under applicable law to increase the number of its authorized shares, notifying
all of its shareholders, under and in accordance with applicable state and
federal securities laws of such increase in the number of its authorized
shares
and filing its charter or amendment to its charter with its state of formation
to reflect such increase and such other documents as may be required under
applicable law to effectuate such increase (such consent, notification and
filing, the “Share Increase”), the Conversion Shares have been duly and validly
authorized and, when issued upon the due conversion of the Notes, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and shall be free and clear
of all
encumbrances and restrictions (other than those created by the Purchasers),
except for restrictions on transfer set forth in the Related Agreements or
imposed by applicable securities laws. Subject to the filing of the Certificate
of Incorporation of a21 in the State of Delaware for the reincorporation
of a21
in the State of Delaware and the Share Increase, the Company has reserved
a
sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for issuance upon the conversion
of
the Notes, free and clear of all encumbrances and restrictions, except for
restrictions on transfer set forth in the Related Agreements or imposed by
applicable securities laws and except for those created by the
Purchasers.
4.4 Authorization;
Binding Obligations.
All
corporate, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be,
action
on the part of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (including their
respective officers, directors and stockholders) necessary for the authorization
of this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the performance of all obligations
of the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder and under the other Related
Agreements at the Closing and, the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery
of
the Note has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. This Agreement
and the Related Agreements, when executed and delivered and to the extent
it is
a party thereto, will be valid and binding obligations of each of the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries, enforceable against each such person or entity
in
accordance with their terms, except:
(a) as
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights;
and
(b) general
principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable or legal
remedies.
The
sale
of the Notes and the subsequent conversion of the Notes into Conversion Shares
are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first
refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.
4.5 Liabilities.
As of
the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, except current liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business, consistent (as to amount and
nature) with past practices, and liabilities disclosed in any of the Company’s
filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) made prior to
the date of this Agreement but after January 1, 2005 (collectively, the
“Exchange Act Filings”), copies of which have been made available to the
Purchasers.
7
4.6 Financial
Statements.
The
financial statements included in each Exchange Act Filing present fairly,
in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as
of the
dates shown and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for
the
periods shown, and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis (“GAAP”) (except as may be disclosed therein or in the notes
thereto, and, in the case of quarterly financial statements, as permitted
by
Form 10-QSB under the Exchange Act).
4.7 Agreements.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.7
or as
disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings, there are no agreements, understandings,
instruments, contracts, proposed transactions, judgments, orders, writs or
decrees to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which
it is bound which may involve obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or
payments to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $175,000
(other
than obligations of, or payments to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
arising from agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business).
4.8 Obligations
to Related Parties.
Except
as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings or as disclosed on Schedule
4.8,
none of
the officers or directors of the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, none
of the employees of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with
the
Company or any Subsidiary, including any contract, agreement or other
arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing
for
rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments
to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the Company’s
knowledge, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee
has a
substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, other
than:
(a) for
payment of salary for services rendered and for bonus payments made in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;
(b) reimbursement
for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice; and
(c) for
other
standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees (including,
without limitation, stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option
plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and each Subsidiary
of
the Company, as applicable).
4.9 Changes.
Since
December 31, 2004 (the “Balance Sheet Date”), except as disclosed in the
Exchange Act Filings or as described on Schedule
4.9,
there
has not been:
(i) any
change in the consolidated assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating
results of the Company from that reflected in the financial statements included
in a21’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30,
2005, except for changes in the ordinary course of business which have not
had
and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
individually or in the aggregate;
8
(ii) any
declaration or payment of any dividend, or any authorization or payment of
any
distribution, on any of the capital stock of the Company, or any redemption
or
repurchase of any securities of the Company;
(iii) incurred
any indebtedness for money borrowed or any other liabilities (other than
ordinary course obligations) individually in excess of $100,000 or, in the
case
of indebtedness and/or liabilities individually less than $100,000, in excess
of
$250,000 in the aggregate;
(iv) made
any
loans or advances to any person or entity not in excess, individually or
in the
aggregate, of $50,000.
(v) any
material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance
to any
assets or properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(vi) any
waiver, not in the ordinary course of business, by the Company or any Subsidiary
of a material right or of a material debt owed to it;
(vii) any
satisfaction or discharge of any Encumbrance or payment of any obligation
by the
Company or a Subsidiary, except in the ordinary course of business and which
is
not material to the assets, properties, financial condition, operating results
or business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (as such
business is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be
conducted);
(viii) any
change or amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws,
or
material change to any material contract or arrangement by which the Company
or
any Subsidiary is bound or to which any of their respective assets or properties
is subject;
(ix) any
material labor difficulties or labor union organizing activities with respect
to
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(x) any
material transaction entered into by the Company or a Subsidiary other than
in
the ordinary course of business;
(xi) the
loss
of the services of any key employee, or material change in the composition
or
duties of the senior management of the Company or any Subsidiary;
or
(xii) the
loss
or threatened loss of any customer which has had or could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9
4.10 Title
to Properties and Assets; Encumbrances, Etc.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.10,
the
Company and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title to all real properties
and all other properties and assets owned by it, in each case free from all
attachments, levies, taxes, liens, security interests and encumbrances of
every
kind and nature (“Encumbrances”), other than Permitted Encumbrances (as defined
in the Master Security Agreement) that would materially affect the value
thereof
or materially interfere with the use made or currently planned to be made
thereof by them; and except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, the
Company and each Subsidiary holds its leased real or personal property under
valid and enforceable leases with, so long as the Company and such Subsidiary
is
in compliance with such leases, no exceptions that would materially interfere
with the use made or currently planned to be made thereof by them. Except
as
disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, the Company and each Subsidiary is
in
material compliance with its leased real and personal property necessary
to
conduct its respective businesses.
4.11 Intellectual
Property.
(a) All
Intellectual Property (as defined below) of the Company and its Subsidiaries
is
currently in compliance with all legal requirements (including timely filings,
proofs and payments of fees) and is valid and enforceable. No Intellectual
Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries has been or is now involved in
any
cancellation, dispute or litigation, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such
action is threatened, other than those that, in each case, have not had or
could
not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No patent owned
by
the Company or its Subsidiaries has been or is now involved in any interference,
reissue, re-examination or opposition proceeding. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “Intellectual
Property”
means
all of the following to the extent necessary for the conduct of the owner’s
business as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted:
(i)
patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions (whether
or not
patentable and whether or not reduced to practice); (ii) trademarks, service
marks, trade dress, trade names, corporate names, logos, slogans and Internet
domain names, together with all goodwill associated with each of the foregoing;
(iii) copyrights and copyrightable works; (iv) registrations, applications
and
renewals for any of the foregoing; and (v) proprietary computer software
(including but not limited to data, data bases and documentation).
(b) All
of
the licenses and sublicenses and consent, royalty or other agreements concerning
Intellectual Property to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or
by
which any of their assets are bound (other than generally commercially
available, non-custom, off-the-shelf software application programs having
a
retail acquisition price of less than $10,000 per license) (collectively,
“License Agreements”) are valid and binding obligations of the Company or its
Subsidiaries that are parties thereto and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other
parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except to the
extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and there exists no
event or condition which will result in a material violation or breach of
or
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any such License Agreement other
than, in each case, those that have not had or could not be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
10
(c) The
Company and its Subsidiaries own or have the valid right to use all of the
Intellectual Property and for the ownership, maintenance and operation of
the
Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ properties and assets, free and clear of all
Encumbrances to license all such owned Intellectual Property and confidential
information, other than licenses entered into in the ordinary course of the
Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses. Subject to the terms and conditions
of the applicable license agreement, Company and its Subsidiaries have a
valid
and enforceable right to use all third party Intellectual Property and
confidential information used or held for use in the respective businesses
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(d) The
conduct of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses as currently conducted
does not infringe or otherwise impair or conflict with (collectively,
“Infringe”) any Intellectual Property rights of any third party or any
confidentiality obligation owed to a third party, and, to the Company’s
knowledge, the Intellectual Property and confidential information of the
Company
and its Subsidiaries which are necessary for the conduct of Company’s and each
of its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses as currently conducted or as
currently proposed to be conducted are not being Infringed by any third party
other than those that have not had or could not reasonably be expected to
have a
Material Adverse Effect. There is no litigation or order pending or outstanding
against the Company or its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge,
threatened or imminent, that seeks to limit or challenge or that concerns
the
ownership, use, validity or enforceability of any Intellectual Property or
confidential information of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company’s
and its Subsidiaries’ use of any Intellectual Property or confidential
information owned by a third party, and, to the Company’s knowledge, there is no
valid basis for the same.
(e) The
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Related
Agreements will not result in the alteration, loss, impairment of or restriction
on the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ ownership or right to use any of
the Intellectual Property or confidential information.
(f) The
Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to
protect
the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ rights in their Intellectual Property and
Confidential Information.
11
4.12 Compliance
with Other Instruments; No Conflict, Breach Violation or Default.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation or default of (x)
any
term of its respective Charter or Bylaws, or (y) any provision of any
indebtedness, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or instrument to which
it
is party or by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ,
which violation or default, in the case of this clause (y), has had, or could
reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a
Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of and
compliance with this Agreement and the Related Agreements to which it is
a
party, and the issuance and sale of the Notes by the Company and the other
Securities by the Company each pursuant hereto and thereto, will not, with
or
without the passage of time or giving of notice, result in any such material
violation, or be in conflict with or constitute a default under (a) the Charter
or Bylaws of the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) any statute, rule, regulation
or
order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign,
having jurisdiction over the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective
assets or properties or (c) any such term or provision, or result in the
creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture
or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable
to
the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or
properties.
4.13 Litigation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.13
hereto,
there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the
Company’s knowledge, currently threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries that prevents the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from entering
into this Agreement or the other Related Agreements, or from consummating
the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which has had, or could
reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a
Material Adverse Effect.
4.14 Consents.
Except
for the Share Increase, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company
of the Related Agreements and the offer, issuance and sale of the Securities
require no consent of, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any person,
governmental body, agency, or official other than filings that have been
made
pursuant to applicable state securities laws and post-sale filings pursuant
to
applicable state and federal securities laws which the Company undertakes
to
file within the applicable time periods. Subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of each Purchaser set forth in Section 5 hereof,
the Company has taken all action necessary to exempt (i) the issuance and
sale
of the Securities, (ii) except for the Share Increase, the issuance of the
Conversion Shares upon the due conversion of the Notes and (iii) the other
transactions contemplated by the Related Agreements from the provisions of
any
stockholder rights plan or other “poison pill” arrangement, any anti-takeover,
business combination or control share law or statute binding on the Company
or
to which the Company or any of its assets and properties may be subject and
any
provision of the Company’s Charter or Bylaws that is or could reasonably be
expected to become applicable to the Purchasers as a result of the transactions
contemplated hereby, including without limitation, the issuance of the
Securities and the ownership, disposition or voting of the Securities by
the
Purchasers or the exercise of any right granted to the Investors pursuant
to
this Agreement or the other Related Agreements.
12
4.15 Tax
Returns and Payments.
The
Company and each Subsidiary has timely prepared and filed all material tax
returns required to have been filed by the Company or such Subsidiary with
all
appropriate governmental agencies and timely paid all material taxes shown
thereon or otherwise owed by it. The charges, accruals and reserves on the
books
of the Company in respect of taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate in
all
material respects, and there are no material unpaid assessments against the
Company or any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any basis for the
assessment of any additional taxes, penalties or interest for any fiscal
period
or, to the Company’s knowledge, audits by any federal, state or local taxing
authority except for any assessment which is not material to the Company
and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. All material taxes and other assessments
and
levies that the Company or any Subsidiary is required to withhold or to collect
for payment have been duly withheld and collected and paid to the proper
governmental entity or third party when due. Other than liens and taxes that
are
not yet due and payable, there are no tax liens or claims pending or, to
the
Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary or any of
their respective assets or property. Except as described on Schedule
4.15,
there
are no outstanding tax sharing agreements or other such arrangements between
the
Company and any Subsidiary or other corporation or entity.
4.16 Employees.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.16
and
disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is
a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreements or other agreements
with labor organizations. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has violated
in
any material respect any laws, regulations, orders or contract terms, affecting
the collective bargaining rights of employees, labor organizations or any
laws,
regulations or orders affecting employment discrimination, equal opportunity
employment, or employees’ health, safety, welfare, wages and hours which has had
or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate
a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) (i)
There
are no labor disputes existing, or to the Company's knowledge, threatened,
involving strikes, slow-downs, work stoppages, job actions, disputes, lockouts
or any other disruptions of or by the Company's employees which has had or
could
reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate a
Material Adverse Effect, (ii) there are no unfair labor practices or petitions
for election pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened before the
National Labor Relations Board or any other federal, state or local labor
commission relating to the Company's or any Subsidiary’s employees, which has
had or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the
aggregate a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) no demand for recognition
or
certification heretofore made by any labor organization or group of employees
is
pending with respect to the Company.
13
(c) The
Company and its Subsidiaries are, and at all times have been, in compliance
in
all material respects with all applicable laws respecting employment (including
laws relating to classification of employees and independent contractors)
and
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours,
and
immigration and naturalization. There are no claims pending against the Company
or any Subsidiary before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any
other administrative body or in any court asserting any violation of Title
VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, 42 U.S.C.
§§ 1981 or 1983 or any other federal, state or local Law, statute or ordinance
barring discrimination in employment, which, in each case, has had or could
reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate a
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Except
as
disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings or as described on Schedule
4.16,
neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to, or bound by, any employment
or
other contract or agreement that contains any severance, termination pay
or
change of control liability or obligation, including, without limitation,
any
“excess parachute payment,” as defined in Section 2806(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(e) Except
as
specified in Schedule
4.16,
each of
the Company's and its Subsidiary’s employees is a person who is either a United
States or United Kingdom citizen or a permanent resident entitled to work
in the
United States or the United Kingdom. To the Company's knowledge, neither
the
Company nor any Subsidiary has liability for the improper classification
by the
Company of such employees as independent contractors or leased employees
prior
to the Closing.
4.17 Registration
Rights and Voting Rights.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.17
and
except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, neither the Company nor any
of its
Subsidiaries is presently under any obligation, and neither the Company nor
any
of its Subsidiaries has granted any rights, to register any of the Company’s or
its Subsidiaries’ presently outstanding securities or any of its securities that
may hereafter be issued. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.17
and
except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, to a21’s knowledge, no stockholder
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any agreement
with
respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
4.18 Compliance
with Laws; Permits.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision
of the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 or any SEC related regulation or rule or any rule
of
the Principal Market (as hereafter defined) promulgated thereunder or any
other
applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic
or
foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of
the
conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties which has had,
or
could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a
Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all
franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the
conduct of its business as now being conducted by it, the lack of which could,
either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
14
4.19 Environmental
Matters.
Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any statute, rule, regulation,
decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic
or
foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic
substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment
or
human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental
Laws”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that
is subject to any Environmental Laws, is liable for any off-site disposal
or
contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or is subject to any claim
relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability
or
claim has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect,
in the aggregate; and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge,
threatened investigation that might lead to such a claim.
4.20 Insurance
Coverage.
The
Company and each Subsidiary maintains in full force and effect insurance
coverage that they reasonably believe is necessary for the business being
conducted and properties owned or leased by the Company and each Subsidiary,
and
the Company reasonably believes such insurance coverage to be adequate against
all material liabilities, claims and risks arising or expected to arise during
the conduct of their respective businesses.
4.21 Valid
Offering.
Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each Purchaser
contained in this Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the Securities
is
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will
have
been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification)
under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of all applicable
state securities laws.
4.22 SEC
Reports.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.22,
a21 has
filed all material proxy statements, reports and other material documents
required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act. a21 has filed copies of:
(i)
its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2004;
and (ii) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for its fiscal quarters ended
March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, and (iii) the Form
8-K
filings which it has made during the fiscal year to date (collectively, the
“SEC
Reports”). a21 shall file its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for its fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005 during the extension period for making such filing
under
applicable federal securities laws. Each SEC Report was, at the time of its
filing, in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of its
respective form and none of the SEC Reports, nor the financial statements
(and
the notes thereto) included in the SEC Reports, as of their respective filing
dates, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Each registration statement and any amendment thereto filed by
a21
since January 1, 2003 pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, as of the date such statement or amendment became
effective, complied as to form in all material respects with the Securities
Act
and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the
statements made therein not misleading; and each prospectus filed pursuant
to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, as of its issue date and as of the
closing
of any sale of securities pursuant thereto did not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the
light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
15
4.23 a21’s
Listing.
a21’s
Common Stock is listed or quoted, as applicable, on a Principal Market (as
hereafter defined) and satisfies and at all times hereafter will satisfy,
all
requirements for the continuation of such listing or quotation, as applicable.
a21 has not received any notice that its Common Stock will be delisted from,
or
no longer quoted on, as applicable, the Principal Market or that its Common
Stock does not meet all requirements for such listing or quotation, as
applicable. For purposes hereof, the term “Principal Market” means the NASD Over
The Counter Bulletin Board, NASDAQ Capital Market, NASDAQ National Markets
System, American Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange (whichever of
the
foregoing is at the time the principal trading exchange or market for the
Common
Stock).
4.24 Brokers
and Finders.
No
Person will have, as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Related
Agreements, any valid right, interest or claim against or upon the Company,
any
Subsidiary or a Purchaser for any commission, fee or other compensation pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by or on behalf
of
the Company.
4.25 No
Directed Selling Efforts or General Solicitation.
Neither
the Company nor any person or entity acting on its behalf has conducted any
general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in
Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of any of the
Securities.
4.26 No
Integrated Offering.
Neither
the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any person acting
on
its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales
of any
security or solicited any offers to buy any security under circumstances
that
would cause the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or
any of
the Related Agreements to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company
for
purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent the Company from selling
the
Securities pursuant to Rule 506 under the Securities Act, or any applicable
exchange-related stockholder approval provisions, nor will the Company or
any of
its affiliates or Subsidiaries take any action or steps that would cause
the
offering of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings.
4.27 Questionable
Payments.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of
their respective current or former stockholders, directors, officers, employees,
agents or other Persons acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary,
has
on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary or in connection with their
respective businesses: (a) used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions,
gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity;
(b) made any direct or indirect unlawful payments to any governmental officials
or employees from corporate funds; (c) established or maintained any unlawful
or
unrecorded fund of corporate monies or other assets; (d) intentionally made
any
false or fictitious entries on the books and records of the Company or any
Subsidiary; or (e) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment,
kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature.
16
4.28 Internal
Controls.
Other
than as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, a21 is in material compliance
with the provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 currently applicable
to
a21. Other than as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings, a21 and
the
Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient
to
provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance
with management's general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared
with
the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken
with
respect to any differences. a21 has established disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for a21 and
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
information relating to a21, including the Subsidiaries, is made known to
the
certifying officers by others within those entities, particularly during
the
period in which a21’s most recently filed period report under the Exchange Act,
as the case may be, is being prepared. a21's certifying officers have evaluated
the effectiveness of a21's controls and procedures as of the end of the period
covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act
(such
date, the "Evaluation Date"). a21 presented in its most recently filed periodic
report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers
about
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their
evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.28,
since the Evaluation Date, there have been no significant changes in a21's
internal controls (as such term is defined in Item 308 of Regulation S-B)
or, to
a21's knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect a21's internal
controls. a21 maintains and will continue to maintain a standard system of
accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP and the
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act.
4.29 Stop
Transfer.
The
Securities are restricted securities as of the date of this Agreement. Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will issue any stop transfer order
or
other order impeding the sale and delivery of any of the Securities at such
time
as the Securities are registered for public sale or an exemption from
registration is available, except as required by state and federal securities
laws.
4.30 Dilution.
Except
for the Share Increase and the requirement to file an information statement,
a21
specifically acknowledges that its obligation to issue the shares of Common
Stock upon conversion of the Notes is binding upon a21 and enforceable
regardless of the dilution such issuance may have on the ownership interests
of
other shareholders of a21.
4.31 Disclosures.
The
written materials delivered to the Purchasers in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Related Agreements do not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
order
to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
17
5. Representations
and Warranties of the Purchasers.
Each
Purchaser, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the
Company as follows:
5.1 No
Shorting.
Except
as set forth in Section 6.20 hereof or Section 3.2(b) of the Notes, such
Purchaser or any of its affiliates and investment partners will not and will
not
cause any person or entity, to directly engage in “short sales” of a21’s Common
Stock so long as any of the Notes shall be outstanding.
5.2 Requisite
Power and Authority.
Such
Purchaser has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions
of law to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Related Agreements and
to
carry out their provisions. All corporate action on such Purchaser’s part
required for the lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Related
Agreements have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing. Upon
their execution and delivery, this Agreement and the Related Agreements will
be
valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser, enforceable in accordance
with
their terms, except:
(a) as
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights;
and
(b) as
limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of
equitable and legal remedies.
5.3 Investment
Representations.
Such
Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and sold pursuant
to
an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part
upon such Purchaser’s representations contained in this Agreement, including,
without limitation, that such Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the
meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act. Such Purchaser confirms
that
it has received or has had full access to all the information it considers
necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect
to
the Notes to be purchased by it under this Agreement and the Conversion Shares
acquired by it upon the conversion of the Notes purchased by it. Such Purchaser
further confirms that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive
answers from the Company regarding the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business,
management and financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Initial
Offering or a Follow On Offering, as the case may be, the Notes purchased
by it
and the Securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the
Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable
effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to such
Purchaser or to which such Purchaser had access.
5.4 Such
Purchaser Bears Economic Risk.
Such
Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in private
placement transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company
so that
it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the
Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests. Such Purchaser
must
bear the economic risk of this investment until the Securities are sold pursuant
to: (i) an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or
(ii) an
exemption from registration is available with respect to such
sale.
18
5.5 Acquisition
for Own Account.
Such
Purchaser is acquiring the Notes and the Conversion Shares for such Purchaser’s
own account for investment only, and not as a nominee or agent and not with
a
view towards or for resale in connection with their distribution.
5.6 Such
Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest.
Such
Purchaser represents that by reason of its, or of its management’s, business and
financial experience, such Purchaser has the capacity to evaluate the merits
and
risks of its investment in the Note and the Securities and to protect its
own
interests in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement
and
the Related Agreements. Such Purchaser did not learn of the investment in
the
Securities as a result of any public advertising or general
solicitation.
5.7 Accredited
Investor.
Each
Purchaser represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning
of
Regulation D under the Securities Act.
5.8 Legends.
(a) Each
Note
shall bear substantially the following legend:
“THIS
NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE NOT
BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE
STATE
SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
OF THIS
NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE
OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE OR SUCH SHARES UNDER
SAID
ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO a21, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”
(b) The
Conversion Shares shall bear a legend which shall be in substantially the
following form until such shares are covered by an effective registration
statement filed with the SEC:
“THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN
THE
ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH SECURITIES ACT
AND
APPLICABLE STATE LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO
a21
THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”
19
6. Covenants
of the Company.
The
Company covenants and agrees with the Purchasers as follows:
6.1 Reservation
of Common Stock; Increase of Authorized Capital.
(a) After
completing the Share Increase, a21 shall at all times reserve and keep available
out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the
purpose of providing for the conversion of the Notes, such number of shares
of
Common Stock as shall from time to time equal the Conversion Shares issuable
upon the due conversion of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the
Notes.
(b) a21
will
take all action necessary in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas
and
a21’s Charter and Bylaws to obtain the necessary consent from its shareholders
to increase its authorized shares of Common Stock to allow for the full
conversion of the Notes into Common Stock and to reincorporate a21 in the
State
of Delaware and a21 will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
such
consent as soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, but in no
event
later than July 30, 2006. a21’s Board of Directors will recommend that the
shareholders’ consent to the increase of the authorized shares of Common Stock
and the reincorporation in the State of Delaware by a21’s shareholders as
provided herein and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit
such
consent and provide any necessary notification pursuant to state and federal
law, including securities laws, and a21’s Charter and Bylaws to those
shareholders who have not consented.
6.2 Stop-Orders.
a21
will advise the Agent, promptly after it receives notice of issuance by the
SEC,
any state securities commission or any other regulatory authority of any
stop
order or of any order preventing or suspending any offering of any securities
of
a21, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Common Stock of a21
for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding
for
any such purpose.
6.3 Listing.
a21
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to secure the listing or quotation,
as
applicable, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Note
on the Principal Market upon which shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted
for trading, as applicable (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall
maintain such listing or quotation, as applicable, so long as any other shares
of Common Stock shall be so listed or quoted, as applicable. Once secured,
a21
will maintain the listing or quotation, as applicable, of its Common Stock
on
the Principal Market, and will comply in all material respects with the
Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) and such exchanges, as
applicable.
6.4 Market
Regulations.
a21
shall notify the SEC, NASD and applicable state authorities, in accordance
with
their requirements, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
shall take all other necessary action and proceedings as may be required
and
permitted by applicable law, rule and regulation, for the legal and valid
issuance of the Securities to the Purchasers and promptly provide copies
thereof
to Agent.
20
6.5 Reporting
Requirements.
To the
extent the same is not available electronically at xxx.xxx.xxx, subject to
the
last paragraph of Section 6.7 hereof, the Company will deliver, or cause
to be
delivered, to the Agent each of the following, which shall be in form and
detail
acceptable to the Agent:
(a) As
soon
as available, and in any event within one hundred and five (105) days after
the
end of each fiscal year of the Company, each of the Company’s and each of its
Subsidiaries’ audited financial statements with a report of BDO or other
independent certified public accountants of recognized standing selected
by the
Company and acceptable to Agent (as defined in the Master Security Agreement)
(the “Accountants”), which annual financial statements shall be without
qualification (other than a going concern qualification) and shall include
each
of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ balance sheet as at the end of
such fiscal year and the related statements of each of the Company’s and each of
its Subsidiaries’ income, retained earnings and cash flows for the fiscal year
then ended, prepared on a consolidated basis to include the Company, each
Subsidiary of the Company and each of their respective affiliates, all in
reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, together with (i)
if and
when available, copies of any management letters prepared by the Accountants;
and (ii) a certificate of the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer or
Chief Financial Officer stating that such financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP and whether or not such officer has knowledge
of the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) and,
if so,
stating in reasonable detail the facts with respect thereto;
(b) As
soon
as available and in any event within forty five (45) days after the end of
each
fiscal quarter of the Company, an unaudited/internal balance sheet and
statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Company and
each
of its Subsidiaries as at the end of and for such quarter and for the year
to
date period then ended, prepared on a consolidated basis to include the Company,
each Subsidiary of the Company and each of their respective affiliates, in
reasonable detail and stating in comparative form the figures for the
corresponding date and periods in the previous year, all prepared in accordance
with GAAP (other than the absence of footnotes), subject to year-end adjustments
and accompanied by a certificate of the Company’s President, Chief Executive
Officer or Chief Financial Officer, stating (i) that such financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (other than the absence of
footnotes), subject to year-end audit adjustments, and (ii) whether or not
such
officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined
in
the Notes) not theretofore reported and remedied and, if so, stating in
reasonable detail the facts with respect thereto; and
21
(c) a21
shall
timely file with the SEC all reports required to be filed pursuant to the
Exchange Act and refrain from terminating its status as an issuer required
by
the Exchange Act to file reports thereunder even if the Exchange Act or the
rules or regulations thereunder would permit such termination. Promptly after
(i) the filing thereof, copies of a21’s most recent registration statements and
annual, quarterly, or other regular reports which a21 files with the SEC,
and
(ii) the issuance thereof, copies of such financial statements, reports and
proxy statements as a21 shall send to its stockholders.
6.6 Use
of
Funds.
The
Company shall use the proceeds of the sale of the Notes for (a) general working
capital purposes, (b) repaying up to $4,500,000 of existing indebtedness
and (c)
making acquisitions of the assets and/or equity of any person or
entity.
6.7 Access
to Facilities.
Each of
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will permit any representatives
designated by Agent and StarVest (as defined herein) (or any successor of
Agent), upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, at such
person’s expense and accompanied by a representative of the Company or any
Subsidiary to:
(a) visit
and
inspect any of the properties of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(b) examine
the corporate and financial records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(unless such examination is not permitted by federal, state or local law
or by
contract); and
(c) discuss
the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
with the directors and executive officers of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing and Section 6.5 hereof, the Company shall not disclose material
nonpublic information to the Agent or any Purchaser, or to advisors to or
representatives of the Agent or such Purchaser, unless prior to disclosure
of
such information, the Company identifies such information as being material
nonpublic information and provides the Agent or such Purchaser or advisors
and
representatives with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept such material
nonpublic information for review and the Agent or any Purchaser wishing to
obtain such information enters into an appropriate confidentiality agreement
with the Company that complies with Regulation FD under the federal securities
laws.
6.8 Conduct
of Business.
The
Company shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (A) carry on and
conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially
the
same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducting, (B) do all things
necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
as a
domestic corporation under the laws of its state of incorporation and (C)
maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in those jurisdictions
in which its business is conducted.
22
6.9 Change
of Business; Misstatements.
The
Company shall promptly notify the Agent in writing of (A) any change in the
business or the operations of the Company or any Subsidiary which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (B) any
information which indicates that any financial statements which are the subject
of any representation contained in the Related Agreements, or which are
furnished to the Agent or any Purchaser pursuant to the Related Agreements,
fail, in any material respect, to present fairly, as of the date thereof
and for
the period covered thereby, the financial condition and results of operations
purported to be presented therein, disclosing the nature thereof.
6.10 Notice
of Event of Default.
The
Company shall promptly notify the Agent of the occurrence of any Event of
Default (as defined in the Notes) or any event which, with the giving of
notice,
the lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default under the
Notes,
which notice shall include a written statement as to such occurrence, specifying
the nature thereof and the action (if any) which is proposed to be taken
with
respect thereto.
6.11 Suits
and Proceedings.
The
Company shall promptly notify the Agent of any action, suit or proceeding
at law
or in equity or by or before any governmental instrumentality or other agency
against the Company or any Subsidiary or to which the Company or any Subsidiary
may be subject which alleges damages in excess of two percent (2%) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) trailing twelve (12)
month gross revenue.
6.12 Material
Breach of Contract.
The
Company shall promptly notify the Agent of any default in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions
contained in any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary
is a party, including this Agreement and the Related Agreements, which default
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.13 Officer’s
Certificate.
The
Company shall deliver to the Agent, simultaneously with the filing of its
10QSB
and 10KSB,
a
certificate signed by either the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company (which shall include an updated perfection certification)
as to such officer’s knowledge, of the Company’s compliance with all conditions
and covenants under the Related Agreements (without regard to any period
of
grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and in the event any Event
of
Default under the Notes or any event which, with the giving of notice, the
lapse
of time or both would constitute an Event of Default under the Notes exists,
such officer shall specify the nature thereof.
23
6.14 Taxes.
Each of
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will promptly pay and discharge,
or
cause to be paid and discharged, when due and payable, all material taxes,
assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the income, profits,
property or business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however,
that any such tax, assessment, charge or levy need not be paid currently
if (i)
the validity thereof shall currently and diligently be contested in good
faith
by appropriate proceedings, (ii) such tax, assessment, charge or levy shall
have
no effect on the lien priority of the Agent in any property of the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) if the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall
have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance
with GAAP; and provided, further, that the Company and its Subsidiaries will
pay
all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies forthwith upon the commencement
of proceedings to foreclose any lien which may have attached as security
therefor.
6.15 Intellectual
Property.
At its
own expense, the Company shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to make, execute,
endorse, acknowledge file and/or deliver any documents and take all actions
necessary or required to maintain its ownership rights in its Intellectual
Property including, without limitation, (i) any action reasonably required
to
protect the Intellectual Property in connection with any infringement, suspected
infringement, passing off, act of unfair competition or other unlawful
interference with the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary in and to such
Intellectual Property, and (ii) any registrations with the United States
Patent
& Trademark Office and any corresponding foreign patent and/or trademark
office required for the Company or any Subsidiary to carry on its business
as
presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Except for
licenses granted in the ordinary course of business, the Company shall not
and
shall cause each Subsidiary not to transfer, assign or otherwise convey the
Intellectual Property, any registrations or applications thereof and all
goodwill associate therewith, to any person or entity.
6.16 Properties.
Each of
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will keep its properties in good
repair, working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and
from
time to time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements,
additions and improvements thereto; and each of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries will at all times comply with each provision of all leases to
which
it is a party or under which it occupies property if the breach of such
provision could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.17 No
Conflicting Agreements.
Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary will take any action, enter into any agreement
or
make any commitment that would conflict or interfere in any material respect
with the Company’s obligations to the Purchasers under this Agreement and the
Related Agreements.
6.18 Insurance.
The
Company shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to all times maintain with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance covering its
assets and its businesses in such amounts and covering such risks (including,
without limitation, hazard, business interruption and public liability) as
is
consistent with sound business practice and as may be obtained at commercially
reasonable rates.
24
6.19 Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to comply with all laws, rules,
regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to
which
they may be subject except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.20 Removal
of Legends.
To the
extent permitted under applicable law, upon the earlier of (i) registration
for
resale pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) Rule 144(k)
becoming available, a21 shall (A) deliver to the transfer agent for the Common
Stock (the “Transfer Agent”) irrevocable instructions that the Transfer Agent
shall issue certificates representing the Conversion Shares without legends
upon
receipt by such Transfer Agent of the Notes or any legended certificates
previously issued for such shares, together with either (1) a customary
representation by the Purchaser that Rule 144(k) applies to the shares of
Common
Stock to be represented thereby or (2) a statement by the Purchaser that
such
Purchaser has sold the shares of Common Stock represented thereby in accordance
with the Plan of Distribution contained in the Registration Statement, and
(B)
cause its counsel to deliver to the Transfer Agent one or more blanket opinions
to the effect that the issuance of such unlegended certificates in such
circumstances may be effected under the Securities Act. From and after the
earlier of such dates, upon a Purchaser’s written request, the Company shall
promptly cause replacement Securities to be issued without restrictive legends
and/or legended certificates representing previously issued Conversion Shares
to
be replaced with certificates which do not bear such restrictive legends,
and
Conversion Shares subsequently issued upon due conversion of the Notes shall
not
bear such restrictive legends provided the provisions of either clause (i)
or
clause (ii) above, as applicable, are satisfied with respect to such Conversion
Shares. When the Company is required to cause unlegended Securities to replace
previously issued legended Securities, if unlegended Securities are not
delivered to or able to be obtained by a Purchaser within three (3) business
days of submission by that Purchaser of legended Securities to the Transfer
Agent as provided above (or to the Company, in the case of the Notes), so
long
as such failure is not a direct result of such Purchaser’s actions or failure to
act, to the extent permitted under applicable law, such Purchaser shall be
entitled to engage in “short sales” with respect to the number of Conversion
Shares requested to be issued pursuant to this Section 6.20.
6.21 Director
Designee.
(a) So
long
as StarVest Partners, L.P. and its affiliates (“StarVest”), continue to
beneficially own at least 8,000,000 shares (on an as converted basis and
as such
number may be adjusted by stock splits, stock dividends, stock distributions,
reverse splits, reclassifications, reorganizations or combinations but, for
avoidance of doubt, such number will not be adjusted for the mere issuance
of
more authorized shares) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, StarVest
shall have the right to designate one person for election to the Board of
Directors of a21 (the “StarVest Designee”). a21 shall nominate the StarVest
Designee and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the StarVest
Designee to be elected to the Company’s Board of Directors no later than the
next annual meeting of the shareholders of a21. StarVest shall have the right
to
remove or replace any StarVest Designee by giving written notice to such
StarVest Designee and a21. a21 shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to
effect the removal or replacement of any such StarVest Designee. Until the
StarVest Designee is elected to the Board of Directors of a21, the StarVest
Designee shall have non-participatory observation rights on such Board of
Directors and shall receive all information received by members of the Board
of
Directors.
25
(b) Subject
to any limitations imposed by the SEC, applicable state or federal securities
laws, or the Principal Market on which a21’s Common Stock is then listed or
quoted and so long as the following does not directly prevent a21’s Common Stock
from being listed or quoted on any Principal Market (all of the foregoing
limitations and restrictions, the “Legal Restrictions”), (i) the StarVest
Designee shall be entitled to serve as a member of a21’s compensation committee
and, in the event the StarVest Designee is not entitled to serve as a member
of
a21’s compensation committee as a result of any of the Legal Restrictions, then
the StarVest Designee shall, subject to any Legal Restriction, have
non-participatory observation rights on the compensation committee of the
Board
of Directors and (b) subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law,
the
StarVest Designee shall be entitled to the same perquisites, including stock
options, reimbursement of expenses and other similar rights in connection
with
such person's membership on the Board of Directors of a21, as every other
non-employee member of the Board of Directors of a21. In addition, subject
to
any Legal Restriction, the StarVest Designee shall have non-participatory
observation rights on the audit committee.
6.22 Required
Approvals.
For so
long as at least forty percent (40%) of the principal amount of the Notes
are
outstanding, the Company, without the prior written consent of Agent, shall
not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) directly
or indirectly, declare or pay any dividends on account of any shares of any
class or series of its capital stock now or hereafter outstanding, or set
aside
or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, or redeem, retire,
defease, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of any class of its capital
stock (or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose)
for any consideration or apply or set apart any sum, or make any other
distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise) in respect of any such
shares or optionally prepay, redeem, retire, defease or repurchase any
indebtedness for borrowed money (as the same would be required to be reflected
on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP (or set aside or otherwise
deposit or invest any sums for such purpose)) or apply or set apart any sum,
or
make any other payment in respect thereof or agree to do any of the foregoing
(each of the foregoing is herein called a “Restricted
Payment”);
provided, that (i) any Subsidiary directly or indirectly wholly owned by
the
Company may pay dividends on its capital stock and (ii) the Company may
repurchase capital stock from a former employee in connection with the
termination or other departure of such employee, strictly in accordance with
the
terms of any agreement entered into with such employee and in effect on the
Closing Date, provided that (A) such repurchase is approved by a majority
of the
independent directors on the Board of Directors of a21, (B) payments permitted
under this clause (ii) shall not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate, and (C)
no
such payment may be made if an Event of Default or an event which, with the
giving of notice, the lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of
Default
has occurred and is continuing or would result from such payment, and (iii)
the
Company and any Subsidiary may make any non-cash exercise of a warrant, option
or other equity interest;
26
(b) liquidate,
dissolve or effect a material reorganization or Change of Control provided,
that
(i) a21 may reincorporate in the State of Delaware at any time and (ii) the
Company or any Subsidiaries may enter into any other transaction pursuant
to
which the Purchasers, upon the consummation of such transaction, may convert
the
remaining outstanding balance of the Notes for consideration being offered
to
other shareholders of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of such transaction
at
a valuation equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 per share of Common Stock,
(b) the
then market value per share of the Common Stock and (c) the consideration
being
paid per share of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of such transaction.
The
term “Change of Control” shall mean (a) in any one or series of related or
unrelated transactions (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of
the Company, (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another
corporation or entity in which the Company is not the surviving entity, (iii)
the acquisition by any single person or entity or related persons or entities
of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding and issued voting securities
of
the Company or (iv) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another
corporation or entity that results in the former shareholders of the Company,
as
they existed immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, owning in
the
aggregate less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving
or
resulting corporation or entity, or (b) during any period of two consecutive
years, when individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the
Board
of Directors of the Company cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by
the
shareholders of the Company, of each new director was approved by a vote
of at
least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors
at the
beginning of such period;
(c) become
subject to (including, without limitation, by way of amendment to or
modification of) any agreement or instrument which by its terms would (under
any
circumstances) restrict the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries, right to
perform the provisions of this Agreement, any Related Agreement or any of
the
agreements contemplated hereby or thereby;
27
(d) (i)
create, incur, guaranty, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness (exclusive
of trade debt and debt incurred to finance the purchase of equipment in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) whether secured
or
unsecured other than (A) the Company’s obligations owed to the Purchasers, (B)
indebtedness disclosed on Exchange Act Filings or set forth on Schedule
6.10(d)
attached
hereto and made a part hereof and any refinancings or replacements thereof
on
then market terms, (C) any indebtedness incurred in connection with the purchase
of assets (other than equipment) in the ordinary course of business, or any
refinancings or replacements thereof on then market terms, so long as any
Encumbrance relating thereto shall only encumber the fixed assets so purchased
and no other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (D) indebtedness
incurred in connection with the acquisition of the assets or equity interests
of
a person or entity so long as such indebtedness does not exceed 40% of the
purchase price of such acquisition provided, that, such indebtedness shall
be
subordinated (on typical terms and conditions) to $3,000,000 of the Notes
(on a
pro rata basis) and shall be senior in debt priority to the remaining
outstanding balance of the Notes, (E) up to $5,000,000 in aggregate of senior
secured indebtedness which shall be senior in debt priority to Notes (on
typical
terms and conditions), (F) up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate of secured
indebtedness incurred solely for working capital purposes by a21’s direct or
indirect foreign Subsidiaries, (G) intercompany indebtedness of the Company
and
its Subsidiaries which is incurred from and owing to each other and (H) up
to
$250,000 in the aggregate of unsecured indebtedness; (ii) cancel any
indebtedness owing to it in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate during any
12
month period; (iii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become directly
or
contingently liable in connection with any obligations of any other person
or
entity, except the endorsement of negotiable instruments by the Company or
any
Subsidiary thereof for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the
ordinary course of business or guarantees of indebtedness otherwise permitted
to
be outstanding pursuant to this clause (e) except a21 may not guarantee the
indebtedness of any of its subsidiaries permitted to be outstanding pursuant
to
clause (i)(C) above (clauses (A) through (H), “Permitted
Indebtedness”);
(e) create
or
acquire any Subsidiary after the date hereof unless (i) such Subsidiary is
a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and (ii)
such
Subsidiary, if formed in the United States, becomes a party to the Master
Security Agreement and the Notes (either by executing a counterpart thereof
or
an assumption or joinder agreement in respect thereof);
(f) create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Encumbrance upon any of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired other than (i) Encumbrances created
pursuant to the Master Security Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances.
The
Company shall not, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to, be bound by any
agreement which limits the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to grant
Encumbrances (other than with respect to Excluded Property (as such term
is
defined in the Master Security Agreement);
28
(g) directly
or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of
related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale,
lease
or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with, or for
the
benefit of, any of employee, officer, director or 10% stockholder, other
than a
wholly owned Subsidiary or other than as holders of stock options and/or
warrants, and for services as employees, officers and directors;
(h) sell,
lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its now owned or
hereafter acquired assets (including, without limitation, shares of stock
and
indebtedness, receivables and leasehold interests), except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices;
(i) directly
or indirectly, engage in any business other than the business of the production,
management and distribution of media, digital or otherwise, to businesses
and
consumers;
(j) settle,
or agree to indemnify or defend third parties against, any material lawsuit,
except as may be required by judicial or regulatory order or by agreements
entered into prior to the date hereof on a basis consistent with past practice.
A material lawsuit shall be any lawsuit in which the amount in controversy
exceeds two percent (2%) of the gross revenue of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the trailing twelve (12) months;
and
(k) amend
its
bylaws, certificate of incorporation or other charter document in a manner
adverse to the Holder.
The
Company, its Subsidiaries, and the Agent, on behalf of the Purchasers, hereby
agree to, enter into subordination and intercreditor agreements in connection
with the incurrence of the indebtedness described in clauses (d)(i)(D) and
(d)(i)(E) above to reflect the relative debt and lien priorities of the
applicable parties as set forth in clause (d)(i)(D) and (d)(i)(E)
above.
6.23 Margin
Stock.
The
Company will not permit any of the proceeds of the Note to be used directly
or
indirectly to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” or to repay indebtedness
incurred to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” within the respective meanings
of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors
of the
Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in
effect.
29
6.24 Option
to Participate in Future Financings.
Purchasers, on a pro rata basis, shall have a right to provide up to 25%
of the
amount of any Additional Financing (as defined below) to be issued by a21,
subject to the following terms and conditions. From and after the date hereof,
prior to the incurrence by a21, in any one transaction, of additional
indebtedness for borrowed money or the issuance of equity in an amount in
excess
of $2,000,000 (an “Additional Financing”), a21 shall notify Purchasers, who are
then holders of a Note, of its intention to enter into such Additional
Financing. In connection therewith, a21 shall submit a term sheet (a “Proposed
Term Sheet”) to the Purchasers setting forth the material terms, conditions and
pricing of any such Additional Financing (such financing to be negotiated
on
“arm’s length” terms and the terms thereof to be negotiated in good faith)
proposed to be entered into by a21. So long as a Purchaser is a holder of
a Note
at such time, such Purchaser shall, on a pro rata basis, have the right,
but not
the obligation, to provide up to 25% of any such Additional Financing (an
“Option”). Any Purchaser that would like to exercise an Option, shall deliver a
written notice to a21 within five (5) business days after receiving the
applicable Proposed Term Sheet (such notice, an “Option Notice”). If a Purchaser
shall not have delivered an Option Notice within five (5) business days of
receiving a Proposed Term Sheet, such Purchaser shall be deemed to have rejected
the right to participate in the related Additional Financing and the applicable
Option shall immediately terminate provided, that any Purchaser (the “Assignee
Purchaser”) may provide any other Purchaser’s (a “Assignor Purchaser”) pro rata
share of an Additional Financing, so long as such Assignee Purchaser shall
have
delivered an Option Notice within five (5) business days of receiving the
applicable Proposed Term Sheet, such Option Notice indicates that such Assignee
Purchaser is willing to provide such Assignor Purchaser’s pro rata share of such
Additional Financing and the Assignor Purchaser has indicated on such Option
Notice, to a21’s reasonable satisfaction, that it consents to such Assignee
Purchaser providing such Assignor Purchasers pro rata share of such Additional
Financing. In addition, to the extent a Purchaser has delivered an Option
Notice
in accordance with this Section 6.24, the Additional Financing related to
such
Option Notice shall not close, without the written consent of such Purchaser,
prior to the fifteenth (15th)
business day after such Purchaser received the applicable Proposed Term
Sheet.
6.25 Form
D; Blue Sky Filings.
The
Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Initial Notes
and
Future Notes as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof
to the
Agent promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or before each of
the
closing dates for such transactions, take such action as the Company shall
reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or
to
qualify the Initial Notes and Future Notes for, sale to the Purchaser, as
applicable, at each of the closings and issuance to the Purchaser, as
applicable, on each closing date for such transactions pursuant to this
Agreement under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the
United States, and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to
the
Agent, on or prior to each of the closing dates for such transactions. The
Company shall make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale
by the
Company of the Initial Notes and Future Notes required under applicable
securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States following each
of the closing dates for such transactions.
30
7. Covenants
of the Purchasers.
Each
Purchaser covenants and agrees with a21 as follows:
7.1 Confidentiality.
Such
Purchaser will not disclose, and will not include in any public announcement,
the name of the Company, unless expressly agreed to by the Company or unless
and
until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then
only
to the extent of such requirement.
7.2 Non-Public
Information.
Such
Purchaser will not effect any sales in the shares of a21’s Common Stock while in
possession of material, non-public information regarding a21.
7.3 Share
Increase.
If such
Purchaser is an owner of Common Stock (as of the record date for voting on
the
Share Increase), such Purchaser shall vote all of its shares of Common Stock
for
the Share Increase. Upon the request of a21, such Purchasers shall deliver
to
a21 the necessary written authorization to vote all of their Common Stock
for
the Share Increase.
7.4 Tax
Information.
Each
Purchaser that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than
the
United States or any state or political subdivision thereof agrees (i)
to furnish to Company (x) either IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8ECI, in
each case certifying such Purchaser’s entitlement to a complete exemption from,
or a reduced rate of, United States federal withholding tax on all payments
made
hereunder or under any Related Agreement, (y) to the extent that such Purchaser
does not act or ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion
of
any amounts paid or payable to such Purchaser hereunder or under any Related
Agreement, IRS Form W-8IMY together with any information such Purchaser chooses
to transmit with such form, and any other certificate or statement required
under applicable United States laws and regulations, to establish that such
Purchaser is not acting for its own account with respect to a portion of
any
such amounts paid or payable to such Purchaser or (z) any other form,
certificate or document prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”)
certifying as to such Purchaser’s entitlement to complete exemption from, or a
reduced rate of, United States federal withholding tax on all payments made
hereunder or under any Related Agreement, (ii) to provide to Company new
forms upon the obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and comparable
statements in accordance with applicable United States laws and regulations
and
amendments, duly executed and completed by such Purchaser, and (iii) to comply
from time to time with all applicable United States laws and regulations
with
regard to such withholding tax exemption or reduction in withholding tax
rate.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7.4, no Purchaser that
is
organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States
or any
state or political subdivision thereof shall be required to deliver after
the
date such Purchaser became a party to this Agreement any form, certificate,
document or statement pursuant to this Section 7.4 that such Purchaser is
not
legally entitled to deliver. Each Company shall be entitled, to the extent
it is
required to do so by law, to deduct or withhold tax liabilities imposed by
the
United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein) from interest, fees or other amounts payable hereunder for the account
of any Purchaser that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other
than
the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof to the extent
that such Purchaser has not provided to such Company IRS forms that establish
entitlement to a complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, United States
federal withholding tax (and each Company hereby agrees to give Agent prompt
written notice in the event that it is required to so deduct or
withhold).
31
8. Indemnification.
8.1 Company
Indemnification.
Each
Company, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse
and defend the Purchasers and the Agent, each of the Purchasers’ and Agent’s
respective officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons, and
principal shareholders, against all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities,
obligations, losses or damages (including reasonable legal fees and expenses)
of
any nature, incurred by or imposed upon any of the foregoing persons or entities
which result, arise out of or are based upon: (i) any misrepresentation by
the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or breach of any warranty by the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement, any other Related Agreement or
in any
exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto; or (ii) any breach or default
in performance by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any covenant or
undertaking to be performed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder,
under any other Related Agreement or any other agreement entered into by
the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and any Purchaser relating hereto
or
thereto.
8.2 Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings.
Promptly after receipt by any person or entity (the “Indemnified Person”) of
notice of any demand, claim or circumstances which would or might give rise
to a
claim or the commencement of any action, proceeding or investigation in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8.1, such Indemnified
Person shall promptly notify the persons or entities responsible to give
such
indemnity (the “Indemnitor”) in writing and the Indemnitor shall assume the
defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory
to
such Indemnified Person, and shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses;
provided,
however,
that
the failure of any Indemnified Person so to notify the Indemnitor shall not
relieve the Indemnitor of its obligations hereunder except to the extent
that
the Indemnitor is materially prejudiced by such failure to notify. In any
such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of
such Indemnified Person unless: (i) the Indemnitor and the Indemnified Person
shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel; or (ii) in the
reasonable judgment of counsel to such Indemnified Person representation
of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. The Indemnitor shall not be liable for
any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its prior written consent,
which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent,
or
if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnitor shall indemnify
and hold harmless such Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability
(to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. Without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, which consent shall
not be
unreasonably withheld, the Indemnitor shall not effect any settlement of
any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person
is
or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder
by
such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional
release
of such Indemnified Person from all liability arising out of such
proceeding.
32
9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Governing
Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE
TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES
OF
CONFLICTS OF LAWS.
(b) THE
PARTIES HEREBY CONSENT AND AGREE THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED
IN THE
COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO
HEAR
AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN THE COMPANY, ON THE ONE HAND,
AND
THE PURCHASERS, ON THE OTHER HAND, PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF
THE
RELATED AGREEMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OF THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS; PROVIDED,
THAT
THE PURCHASERS AND THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS
MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
STATE
OF NEW YORK. THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH
JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND THE COMPANY
HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL
JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM
NON CONVENIENS.
(c) THE
PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH
APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS
OF
THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHTS
TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE,
WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN THE PURCHASERS AND/OR
THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE
RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT,
ANY
OTHER RELATED AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR
THERETO.
9.2 Severability.
Wherever possible each provision of this Agreement and the Related Agreements
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or any Related Agreement
shall be prohibited by or invalid or illegal under applicable law such provision
shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity or
illegality, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the
remaining provisions thereof which shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.
33
9.3 Survival.
The
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement but, subject to Section 9.11, shall terminate with respect to each
Purchaser (or its successors or assigns) following the full conversion of
the
Note owned by such Purchaser (or its successors or assigns). All statements
as
to factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered
by
or on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties
by the
Company hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or instrument.
All
indemnities set forth herein shall survive the execution, delivery and
termination of this Agreement and the Notes and the making and repayment
of the
obligations arising hereunder, under the Notes and under the other Related
Agreements.
9.4 Successors.
This
Agreement may not be assigned by a party hereto without the prior written
consent of the Company or the Purchasers, as applicable, provided, however,
that
a Purchaser may assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder in whole
or
in part to an affiliate or to a third party (other than a competitor of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its affiliates) acquiring some or all
of
its Securities in a private transaction without the prior written consent
of the
Company or the other Purchasers, after notice duly given by such Purchaser
to
the Company provided, that no such assignment or obligation shall affect
the
obligations of such Investor hereunder. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the successors, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties
hereto
and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each person or entity
which shall be a holder of the Securities from time to time. No Purchaser
shall
be permitted to assign its rights hereunder or under any Related Agreement
to a
competitor of the Company unless an Event of Default (as defined in the Note)
has occurred and is continuing; provided that such restriction shall not
prohibit the sale of the public sale of Securities by a Purchaser pursuant
to
Rule 144 or under the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement).
9.5 Amendment
and Waiver.
(a) This
Agreement may be amended or modified only upon the written consent of the
Company and the Purchasers then holding a majority of the principal outstanding
amount of the Notes (“Required Purchasers”).
(b) The
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Purchasers under this Agreement
may be waived only with the written consent of the Required
Purchasers.
(c) The
obligations of the Purchasers and the rights of the Company under this Agreement
may be waived only with the written consent of the Company.
9.6 Notices.
All
notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed
effectively given:
34
(a) upon
personal delivery to the party to be notified;
(b) when
sent
by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient,
if
not, then on the next business day;
(c) three
(3)
business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid; or
(d) one
(1)
day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying
next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.
All
communications shall be sent as follows:
If
to any Company,
to:
|
a21,
Inc.
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxx
& Xxxx, LLP
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
|
If
to any Purchaser,
to:
|
At
the address on the books of the
Company
|
or
at
such other address as the Company or the Purchasers may designate by written
notice to the other parties hereto given in accordance herewith.
9.7 Titles
and Subtitles.
The
titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience
of
reference only and are not to be considered in construing this
Agreement.
9.8 Facsimile
Signatures; Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures and in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one agreement.
9.9 Broker’s
Fees.
Each
party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker, investment banker,
person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of such party hereto
is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission
directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify each other party for any claims,
losses or expenses incurred by such other party as a result of the
representation in this Section 9.9 being untrue.
35
9.10 Construction.
Each
party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated in the preparation
of
this Agreement and the Related Agreements and, therefore, stipulates that
the
rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting
party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Agreement or any
Related Agreement to favor any party against the other.
9.11 Termination.
Upon
the indefeasible payment of or full conversion of any of the Notes, this
Agreement and all Related Agreements shall terminate, with respect to the
Purchaser (or its successors or assigns) holding such Note. All breach of
contract claims and indemnity provisions of any party hereto along with the
corresponding representations, warranties and covenants, solely for the purpose
of making such claims and indemnities, shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
9.12 Appointment
of Agent.
Each
Purchaser hereby designates and appoints Agent to act on behalf of Purchasers
under this Agreement and the Related Agreements, including with respect to
any
Collateral (as defined in the Master Security Agreement) in accordance with
the
terms of this Agreement.
9.13 Duties
of Agent.
Agent
shall have the exclusive right, at the direction of Required Purchasers,
to
declare an Event of Default as such is described in the Notes following receipt
by Agent of a written notice of such Event of Default from a Purchaser or
from
the Company (any such notice, a “Notice of Default”) and, at the direction of
Required Purchasers, to exercise the rights and remedies of Purchasers under
this Agreement and the Related Agreements. Upon receipt by Agent of a Notice
of
Default, Agent shall promptly, but in no event more than two (2) business
days
after receipt of such Notice of Default, notify the Company (if such Notice
of
Default was not received from the Company) and Purchasers of the contents
thereof. Agent shall not be required to exercise any rights or remedies under
this Agreement or the Related Agreements unless a Notice of Default is in
effect
and it shall have been directed to do so by Required Purchasers. A Notice
of
Default shall become effective upon receipt thereof by Agent. Required
Purchasers shall be entitled to cancel a Notice of Default by delivering
a
written notice of cancellation to Agent (i) before Agent takes any action
to
exercise any remedy with respect to the Collateral (as defined in the Master
Security Agreement) or (ii) thereafter, if Agent believes, in its sole
discretion, that all actions it has taken to exercise any remedy or remedies
with respect to the Collateral can be reversed without undue difficulty by
returning the Collateral or the proceeds thereof or, if not reversible, if
Company waives any rights (other than the right to have the proceeds thereof
applied to the Obligations (as defined in the Master Security Agreement))
in any
Collateral or the proceeds thereof which cannot be so returned;
36
In
performing its functions and duties under this Agreement and the Related
Agreements, Agent shall act solely as an agent of Purchasers and does not
assume
and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation toward or relationship
of
agency or trust with or for Company or any other Person. Agent shall have
no
duties or responsibilities except for those expressly set forth in this
Agreement. The duties of Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in
nature
and Agent shall not have, or be deemed to have, by reason of this Agreement,
any
Related Agreement or otherwise, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any
Purchaser. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, Agent shall not
have
any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for failure to disclose, any
information relating to Company that is communicated to or obtained by Agent
or
any of its affiliates in any capacity.
If
Agent
shall request instructions from Required Purchasers with respect to any act
or
action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any
Related Agreement, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking
such action unless and until Agent shall have received instructions from
Required Purchasers and Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by
reason
of so refraining. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to
take
any action hereunder or under any Related Agreement (i) if such action would,
in
the opinion of Agent, be contrary to law or the terms of this Agreement or
any
Related Agreement or (ii) if Agent shall not first be indemnified to its
satisfaction against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred
by
it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.
Agent
shall promptly, but in no event more than two (2) business days after receipt
by
Agent, provide copies to Purchasers of any item the Agent receives pursuant
to
this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements including all demands, claims
or
notices, legal proceedings or other action taken from time to time by Agent
pursuant to this Agreement, any of the Related Agreements or with respect
to the
Collateral.
Agent
may
resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as Agent hereunder and
under the Master Security Agreement and the Stock Pledge Agreement by its
giving
the Purchasers and the Company written notice and such resignation shall
become
effective at such time that a successor agent shall be appointed by the Required
Purchasers. If no new agent is so appointed within the 60 day period following
the giving of such notice of resignation, Agent may resign and the holder
of the
Note with the highest principal amount outstanding at such time shall
automatically become Agent.
9.14 Application
of Proceeds.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Related Agreements,
the proceeds realized from the sale of any Collateral shall be applied as
follows: first,
to the
reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by Agent
for collection and for acquisition, completion, protection, removal, storage,
evaluation, sale and delivery of the Collateral; secondly,
to any
fees or expenses of Agent that any Purchaser has advanced or which it is
entitled, pursuant to this Agreement or any Related Agreement, to receive;
and
thirdly,
to the
unpaid principal and interest on the Notes then outstanding and if such money
shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably (without
priority of any one over the other) to Purchasers in proportion to the unpaid
amount thereof on such date. If any surplus exists, such surplus shall be
held
as cash Collateral pending full payment and satisfaction of all Obligations,
after which any remainder shall be returned to Company unless Agent or any
Purchaser is then otherwise required to remit such remainder under applicable
law.
37
9.15 Actions
in Concert.
Anything in this Agreement or the Related Agreements to the contrary
notwithstanding, to the extent Agent or Required Purchasers have the right
to
take or cause to be taken any action or enforcement, each Purchaser hereby
agrees with each other Purchaser that no Purchaser shall take any such action
to
protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement, the Notes or
the
other Related Agreements (including exercising any rights of setoff) without
first obtaining the prior written consent of Agent and Required Purchasers,
it
being the intent of Purchasers that any such action to protect or enforce
such
rights under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Related Agreements shall
be
taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Agent or Required
Purchasers, as applicable.
9.16 Agent’s
Indemnity.
Neither
Agent nor any director, officer, employee, attorney, agent or representative
of
Agent shall be liable to any Purchaser for any action taken or omitted to
be
taken by it or them hereunder or under any Related Agreement, except for
damages
caused by its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct, nor shall
Agent be responsible for the validity, effectiveness or sufficiency of any
Related Agreement or of any document or security furnished pursuant thereto
or
hereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent: (a) may
treat
the payee of any Note as Purchasers thereof until Agent receives written
notice
of the assignment or transfer thereof signed by such payee and in form
reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (b) may consult with legal counsel,
independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall
not be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (c) makes
no
warranty or representation to any Purchaser except as set forth in this
Agreement and shall not be responsible to any Purchaser for any statements,
warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Related
Agreements; (d) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to
the
performance or observation of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of
this
Agreement or the Related Agreements or to inspect the Collateral (including
the
books and records); (e) shall not be responsible to any Purchasers for the
due
execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or
value
of this Agreement, the Related Agreements or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto; and (f) shall incur no liability under or in
respect
of this Agreement or the Related Agreements by acting upon any notice, consent,
certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopy, telegram,
cable or telex) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper
party or parties.
38
Purchasers
agree to indemnify Agent, ratably according to their respective pro rata
shares
of the Notes, from and against any and all obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of
any
kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or
any
Related Agreement or any action taken or omitted to be taken by Agent in
connection herewith or therewith; provided,
that no
Purchaser shall be liable for any portion of such obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting
from Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the
foregoing, each Purchaser agrees to reimburse Agent promptly upon demand
for its
ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel
fees)
incurred by Agent in connection with the administration, modification, amendment
or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise)
of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this
Agreement and each Related Agreement.
9.17 Agent
and Affiliates.
Agent
and its affiliates may lend money to, invest in, and generally engage in
any
kind of business with, Company, any of its affiliates and any Person who
may do
business with or own securities of any Company or any such affiliate, all
as if
Agent were not Agent and without any duty to account therefor to
Purchasers.
9.18 Purchaser
Decisions.
Each
Purchaser also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance
upon Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking
or
not taking action under this Agreement or any Related Agreement. Each Purchaser
acknowledges the potential conflict of interest of each other Purchaser as
a
result of Purchasers holding disproportionate interests in the Notes, and
expressly consents to, and waives any claim based upon, such conflict of
interest.
9.19 Confidential
Information.
(a) Each
Purchaser acknowledges that all Confidential Information (as defined below)
provided by the Company, its Subsidiaries or its agents and representatives
(the
“Delivering Party”) to each Purchaser, or its respective agents and
representatives (the “Receiving Party”) constitutes confidential and proprietary
information of the Company and its Subsidiaries. As used herein, “Confidential
Information” means all information that is furnished by the Delivering Party to
the Receiving Party which relates to the Company, its Subsidiaries and their
respective business concepts and plans, data, documentation and/or control
information, financial information, formulations, techniques, trade secrets,
proprietary technical information, business and marketing analyses and plans,
and which is either confidential, proprietary in nature or otherwise not
generally available to the public.
39
(b) Any
information furnished to a Receiving Party by a director, officer, employee,
advisor or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed
Confidential Information for the purpose of this Agreement. Confidential
Information received hereunder shall not be used for commercial or competitive
benefit by the Receiving Party and such party shall keep Confidential
Information confidential and shall cause its respective directors, officers,
employees, agents, accountants and attorneys to keep Confidential Information
confidential unless such party is required to disclose such Confidential
information by
applicable law, court order or through legal process (by oral questions,
interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil
investigative demand, national
securities exchange demand
or
similar process).
The
obligations of each Receiving Party shall include the obligation to take
all
steps reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of Confidential
Information and to prevent the disclosure thereof and shall survive the
termination of this Agreement provided, that any Purchaser may disclose
Confidential Information to its investors and prospective investors in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice so long as such
investors agree to keep such Confidential Information to the extent such
Purchaser is required to do so hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the
following will not constitute Confidential Information for the purposes of
this
Agreement; (i) information which is or becomes generally available to the
public
other than as a result of a disclosure by the Receiving Party, (ii) information
which becomes available to the Receiving Party on a nonconfidential basis
from a
source other than the Delivering Party if such source was not subject to
any
prohibition against transmitting the information to the Receiving Party or
(iii)
was
within a party's possession prior to its being furnished by or on behalf
of the
furnishing party.
9.20 Publicity.
Except
as set forth below, no public release or announcement concerning the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued by the Company or the
Purchasers without the prior consent of the Company (in the case of a release
or
announcement by the Purchasers) or the Purchasers (in the case of a release
or
announcement by the Company) (which consents shall not be unreasonably
withheld), except as such release or announcement may be required by law
or the
applicable rules or regulations of any securities exchange or securities
market,
in which case the Company or the Purchasers, as the case may be, shall allow
the
Purchasers or the Company, as applicable, to the extent reasonably practicable
in the circumstances, reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement
in advance of such issuance. By 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the trading
day immediately following the Closing Date or by such other time as agreed
to by
Agent and a21, a21 shall issue a press release disclosing the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No later than the date it
is
required to do so pursuant to applicable law, a21 will file a Current Report
on
Form 8-K attaching the press release described in the foregoing sentence
as well
as copies of the Related Agreements. In addition, the Company will make such
other filings and notices in the manner and time required by the SEC.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the
name
of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing with
the
SEC (other than the Registration Statement and any exhibits to filings made
in
respect of this transaction in accordance with periodic filing requirements
under the Exchange Act) or any regulatory agency, without the prior written
consent of such Purchaser, except to the extent such disclosure is required
by
law or trading market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide
the
Purchasers with prior notice of such disclosure.
40
9.21 Expenses.
The
parties hereto shall pay their own costs and expenses in connection herewith,
except that the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the
Purchasers not to exceed $65,000 in the aggregate. Such expenses shall be
paid
not later than the Closing. In the event that legal proceedings are commenced
by
any party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement in
connection with this Agreement or the other Related Agreements, the party
or
parties which do not prevail in such proceedings shall severally, but not
jointly, pay their pro rata share of the reasonable attorneys’ fees and other
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing party
in
such proceedings.
9.22 Independent
Nature of Purchasers' Obligations and Rights.
The
obligations of each Purchaser under this Agreement and any Related Agreement
are
several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no
Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations
of any other Purchaser under any Related Agreement. The decision of each
Purchaser to purchase Securities pursuant to the Related Agreements has been
made by such Purchaser independently of any other Purchaser. Nothing contained
herein or in any Related Agreement, and no action taken by any Purchaser
pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership,
an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a
presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a
group
with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the
Related
Agreements. Each Purchaser acknowledges that no other Purchaser has acted
as
agent for such Purchaser in connection with making its investment hereunder
and
that no Purchaser will be acting as agent of such Purchaser in connection
with
monitoring its investment in the Securities or enforcing its rights under
the
Related Agreements. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect
and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising
out of
this Agreement or out of the other Related Agreements, and it shall not be
necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in
any
proceeding for such purpose. The Company acknowledges that each of the
Purchasers has been provided with the same Related Agreements for the purpose
of
closing a transaction with multiple Purchasers and not because it was required
or requested to do so by any Purchaser.
9.23
Equal
Treatment of Purchasers.
No
consideration shall be offered or paid to any person to amend or consent
to a
waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement and the other
transaction documents contemplated hereby unless the same consideration is
also
offered to all of the parties to this Agreement and the other transaction
documents contemplated hereby. For clarification purposes, this provision
constitutes a separate right granted to each Purchaser by the Company and
negotiated separately by each Purchaser, and is intended to cause the Company
to
treat the Purchasers as a class and shall not in any way be construed as
the
Purchasers acting in concert or as a group with respect to the purchase,
disposition or voting of Securities or otherwise.
[THE
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
41
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the SECURITIES PURCHASE
AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
COMPANIES:
|
|
a21,
INC.
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
VP CFO
|
|
SUPERSTOCK,
INC.
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
EVP CFO
|
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
42
PURCHASER
AND AGENT:
|
|
QUEEQUEG
PARTNERS, L.P. By: Queequeg GP, LLC, its General Partner
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Managing Member
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
43
PURCHASER:
|
|
QUEEQUEG,
LTD
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
President
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
44
PURCHASER:
|
|
XXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
|
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
45
PURCHASER:
|
|
XXXXXX
X. XXXXXX
|
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
46
PURCHASER:
|
|
STARVEST
PARTNERS, L.P. By: StarVest Associates, LLC, its General
Partner
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Managing Member
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
47
PURCHASER:
|
|
COHANZICK
CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES
MASTER
FUNDS LTD., By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Agent
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
48
PURCHASER:
|
|
XXXXXXXX,
SILVER & CO., L.P., By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Securities, Inc., its General
Partner
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
President
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
49
PURCHASER:
|
|
XXXXX
X. XXXX
|
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx |
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
50
PURCHASER:
|
|
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
|
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
51
PURCHASER:
|
|
LEONARDO,
L.P.,
By: Xxxxxxxx Capital Management, Inc., Its General Partner, By:
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Co., L.P., Its Director
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
52
PURCHASER:
|
|
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, MD
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
|
[SIGNATURES
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
53
EXHIBIT
A
LIST
OF INITIAL PURCHASERS
Queequeg
Partners, L.P., By: Queequeg Gp, Llc, Its General Partner
Queequeg,
Ltd
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
Starvest
Partners, L.P., By: Starvest Associates, LLC, Its General Partner
Cohanzick
Credit Opportunities Master Funds Ltd., By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Silver & Co., L.P., By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Securities, Inc., Its General
Partner
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Leonardo,
L.P., By: Xxxxxxxx Capital Management, Inc., Its General Partner
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated, Fixed Income Division, Strategic Investments
Group
54
EXHIBIT
B
FORM
OF INITIAL CONVERTIBLE NOTE
[See
Attached]
55
EXHIBIT
C
FORM
OF FUTURE CONVERTIBLE TERM NOTE
[See
Attached]
56
SCHEDULE
4.2
SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiary
|
Jurisdiction
|
Owner
|
%Ownership
|
SuperStock,
Inc.
|
Florida
|
a21,
Inc.
|
83.33%
|
SuperStock
Canada Inc.
|
Canada
|
SuperStock,
Inc.
|
100%
|
SuperStock
Limited
|
U.K.
|
SuperStock,
Inc.
|
100%
|
LCJ
Acquisition Limited
|
U.K.
|
SuperStock
Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxx
1001 Limited
|
U.K.
|
LCJ
Acquisition Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxx
Publishing Limited
|
U.K.
|
Xxxxxx
1001 Limited
|
100%
|
a21
Acquisition LLC (inactive)
|
Delaware
|
a21,
Inc.
|
100%
|
Agence
21, Inc.(inactive)
|
Delaware
|
a21
Acquisition LLC
|
84.3%
|
57
SCHEDULE
4.3
CAPITALIZATION
Subsidiary
|
Authorized
Common
|
Issued
and Outstanding Common
|
Authorized
Preferred
|
Issued
and Outstanding
|
SuperStock,
Inc.
|
10,000,000
|
8,333,282
|
10,000,000
|
Preferred
|
SuperStock
Canada Inc.
|
20,000
|
20,000
|
1,666,717
|
|
SuperStock
Limited
|
100
|
100
|
||
LCJ
Acquisition Limited
|
200,000
|
100,000
|
300,000
|
|
Xxxxxx
1001 Limited
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
300,000
|
|
Xxxxxx
Publishing Limited
|
1,000
|
499
|
||
a21
Acquisition LLC (inactive)
|
-
|
|||
Agence
21, Inc.(inactive)
|
40,000,000
|
4,887,000
|
10,000,000
|
58
SCHEDULE
4.7
AGREEMENTS
None
59
SCHEDULE
4.8
OBLIGATIONS
TO RELATED PARTIES
None
60
SCHEDULE
4.9
CHANGES
Changes
to composition of senior management of SuperStock,
Inc.
Employment
Date
|
Termination
Date
|
|
Xxxx
Xxxxx - VP Marketing
|
2/28/2005
|
1/20/2006
|
Xxxxx
X’Xxxxx - VP Global Channel (UK)
|
6/1/2005
|
-
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx - VP Sales
|
-
|
2/8/2005
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx - VP Sales
|
10/26/2005
|
-
|
Xxx
Xxxxxx - SVP Market Development
|
-
|
7/29/2005
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxx - VP Visual Content (UK)
|
-
|
2005
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx - VP Content Strategy
|
2/1/2006
|
-
|
61
SCHEDULE
4.10
PROPERTIES
None
62
SCHEDULE
4.13
LITIGATION
None
63
SCHEDULE
4.15
TAX
RETURNS AND PAYMENTS
None
64
SCHEDULE
4.16
EMPLOYEES
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx - Employment Agreement dated 2/1/2006 - severance of up to 4 months
salary for termination without cause.
65
SCHEDULE
4.17
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AND VOTING RIGHTS
None
66
SCHEDULE
4.22
SEC
REPORTS
None
67
SCHEDULE
4.28
INTERNAL
CONTROLS
a21’s
financial statements were not completed and could not be completed within
the
prescribed time period due to the financial reporting integration and separate
stand-alone audit of UK-based SuperStock Limited financial statements, including
the Xxxxxx Publishing Ltd., which was acquired in October 2005.
68
SCHEDULE
6.10(d)
INDEBTEDNESS
None
69