ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(the
“Agreement”)
is
dated as of September 28, 2007 (the “Agreement
Date”),
and
is entered into by and between NutraCea, Inc., a California corporation having
its principal place of business at 0000 X. 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx,
XX,
00000 (“Buyer”),
Vital
Living, Inc., a Nevada corporation with its principal place of business at
0000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, and those subsidiaries of Vital
Living, Inc. whose names are subscribed on the signature page of this Agreement
(Vital Living, Inc. and such subsidiaries referred to collectively as
“Seller”).
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set
forth
in Exhibit
A
attached
hereto.
BACKGROUND
A. Seller
develops and markets nutritional supplements and nutraceutical products for
distribution, including through healthcare practitioners. Buyer is a health
science company that has proprietary intellectual property that processes and
converts rice bran into ingredients that have various applications in food
products.
B. Seller
desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller,
substantially all of the assets used by Seller in its business.
C. As
an
inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement, concurrently herewith certain
stockholders of Seller have entered into an agreement with Buyer, in the form
separately provided to Seller (a “Voting
Agreement”),
pursuant to which each such person has agreed, among other things, to vote
the
shares of capital stock of Seller owned by such person to approve this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
AGREEMENT
Accordingly,
the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I.
SALE
AND PURCHASE OF ASSETS
SECTION
1.01 Purchase
and Sale of Acquired Assets.
(a) On
the
terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing Date
Seller shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer
shall purchase from Seller all the right, title and interest of Seller in,
to
and under the Acquired Assets in consideration of the payment by Buyer of the
Purchase Price (the “Acquisition”)
Seller
shall deliver the Acquired Assets free and clear of all Liabilities, and
Encumbrances, except as Seller and Buyer may mutually agree in writing.
(b) Buyer
shall not acquire any Excluded Assets and shall not assume or become obligated
with respect to any Retained Liabilities, Liabilities related to any Excluded
Assets, or any Liabilities of Seller arising out of the conduct of the Business,
Seller’s other business or the Acquired Assets before the Closing Date. Buyer
shall set forth the Assumed Liabilities on the Schedule
1.01(b)
hereto. Effective as of the Closing, Buyer shall assume, pay and discharge
when
due the Assumed Liabilities.
(c) Buyer
will not assume any liability, responsibility or obligations to any employee
of
Seller, including without limitation, in connection with compensation or
compensation plans, benefit plans, options or equity plans, severance or
termination pay, insurance or other employment related costs relating to Seller
or its employees or any other Retained Liabilities, and Seller shall indemnify
and hold harmless Buyer and its representatives against any and all such
Retained Liabilities. Retained Liabilities shall remain the sole responsibility
of and shall be retained, paid, performed and discharged solely by
Seller:
SECTION
1.02 Closing;
Purchase Price.
(a) Closing.
The
completion of this Agreement (the “Closing”)
shall
take place at the offices of Buyer. The Closing shall be scheduled to occur
two
(2) business days following the satisfaction or written waiver of the last
of
the closing conditions set forth in Article V, or on such other date as the
parties may determine. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to
herein as the “Closing
Date.”
(b) Delivery.
At the
Closing, Seller shall sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to Buyer the
Acquired Assets, Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price to Seller, and the parties
shall deliver the agreements, certificates, opinions and other documents
required to be delivered pursuant to Article V of this Agreement (the
“Collateral
Agreements”).
If at
the Closing Date Buyer does not obtain all rights to one or more items of the
Acquired Assets, then the Acquired Assets in question and all income (if any)
and other benefits and rights arising therefrom shall be held by Seller in
trust
for Buyer absolutely until such time as Buyer shall have obtained all rights
therein and thereto. Seller hereby grants to Buyer and undertakes as of the
Closing to hold upon trust for Buyer the entire interest of Seller in and to
any
part of the Acquired Assets which cannot be assigned by Seller hereunder
together with the entire benefits of such rights including, without limitation,
all proceeds, money and other rights and benefits to which the Seller is
beneficially or legally entitled in respect of the use of such Acquired Assets;
and from and after the Closing, Seller shall promptly pay to Buyer when received
all monies received by Seller with respect to any Acquired Asset or any claim
or
right or any benefit arising thereunder.
(c) Purchase
Price.
At the
Closing, NutraCea will deliver the purchase price for the Acquired Assets.
The
purchase price will consist of (i) One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,500,000) (the “Closing
Payment”) payable
by check or by electronic funds transfer to the bank account in the United
States of America designated by Seller in writing, (ii) the cancellation by
Buyer of indebtedness of Seller, its Subsidiaries and VTLV LLC and VTLV II
LLC
(and cancellation of any rights such LLC entities may have relating to Buyer)
to
Buyer as of the Closing Date, including without limitation all of Seller’s
Senior Secured Convertible Notes held by Buyer (the “Notes”),
in an
aggregate principal amount of approximately $4,226,000, and any right to receive
any accrued but unpaid interest under the Notes though the Closing Date, and
(iii) the cancellation (by delivery to Seller for redemption for no additional
consideration) of 1,000,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock of Seller held
by
Buyer (the Notes and such shares referred to collectively as the “Senior
Securities”
or
the
“VL
Securities”)
(collectively,
the “Purchase
Price”).
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(d) Allocation
of Purchase Price.
The
Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Acquired Assets as reasonably
determined by Buyer, in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations. Except
in the event of a subsequent adjustment to the Purchase Price which adjustment
shall be reflected in the allocation hereunder in a manner consistent with
the
Treasury Regulations, neither Seller nor Buyer shall file any return or take
a
position with any taxing authority that is inconsistent with any allocation
pursuant hereto.
ARTICLE
II.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF VITAL LIVING
For
purposes of the representations and warranties in this Article II, the term
“Seller”
will
mean, as applicable, VL and any Subsidiary that holds any of the Acquired
Assets. Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that except as set forth
in a disclosure letter separately delivered by Seller to Buyer contemporaneously
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which identifies the
particular Sections of this Agreement to which such disclosure relates (the
“Disclosure
Letter”),
and
except as disclosed in Seller’s last filed reports on Form 10-KSB or Form 10-QSB
before the date of this Agreement:
SECTION
2.01 Organization.
Seller
is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Nevada, with full power and authority to own and
operate the Business and to enter into this Agreement, the Collateral Agreements
and the other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby and to perform
its
obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been
duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Seller, subject
to approval by Seller’s stockholders as contemplated by this Agreement. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes the
valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Seller, except as limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
SECTION
2.02 Power
and Authority.
Seller
is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is
required in order to conduct the Business and to sell and transfer the Acquired
Assets to Buyer. Seller has the power to enter into and perform its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement. Seller’s execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and all other agreements and instruments executed or to be executed
by
Seller in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement and the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by
all
requisite action on the part of Seller’s board of directors.
SECTION
2.03 Binding
Agreement.
This
Agreement has been approved by the board of directors of Seller and by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Seller, other than approval of the
Agreement by the shareholders of Seller. This Agreement and all other agreements
and instruments executed or to be executed by Seller in connection with or
pursuant to this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement constitute, or will constitute when executed and delivered,
the legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller, enforceable against Seller
in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights and to general equitable principles.
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SECTION
2.04 Government
Filings.
Seller
has made all filings with applicable Governmental Authorities and obtained
all
assignments (including invention assignments from its employees) necessary
to
claim and protect its rights in all Intellectual Property included in the
Acquired Assets. There is no requirement applicable to Seller or to make any
filing with, or to obtain any Permit of, any Governmental Authority as a
condition to the lawful performance by Seller of its obligations
hereunder.
SECTION
2.05 Absence
of Conflicts and Consent Requirements.The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller and performance of Seller’s
obligations hereunder do not: (a) conflict with or violate Seller’s Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws; (b) violate or, alone or with notice or the passage
of
time, result in the breach or the termination of, or otherwise give any
contracting party the right to terminate or declare a default under, the terms
of any written agreement relating to the Business or the Acquired Assets to
which Seller is a party or by which any of the Acquired Assets may be bound
(other than the requirement to obtain the consent of third parties under those
certain Assigned Contracts that are identified in the Disclosure Letter as
requiring such consent), or (c) violate any judgment, order, decree, or any
law,
statute, regulation or other judicial or governmental restriction to which
Seller is subject. There is no requirement applicable to Seller or to make
any
filing with, or to obtain any permit, authorization, consent or approval of,
any
Governmental Authority as a condition to the lawful performance by Seller and
of
its obligations hereunder, except for the filing of the definitive Proxy
Statement with the SEC.
SECTION
2.06 Title
to Assets.
The
Asset Schedule delivered by Seller to Buyer before the Agreement Date sets
forth
each item that is included, or required to be included, in the Acquired Assets.
Seller has exclusive good and marketable title to the Acquired Assets, in each
case free and clear of all Encumbrances, and Seller is not obligated to make
payments (in any form, including royalties, milestones and other contingent
payments) to third parties for use of any intellectual property rights with
respect to the development, manufacture, use, sale, import or commercialization
of any of the Products in the ordinary course of the Business as presently
conducted or as contemplated to be conducted. There are no Encumbrances on,
related to, secured by or outstanding against, or third party interests in,
the
Acquired Assets, except Encumbrances pursuant to the Notes.
SECTION
2.07 Condition
of Assets.
The
Acquired Assets are all of the assets required for or useful in the operation
of
Seller’s Business as it is presently conducted by Seller. No Acquired Assets
have been disposed of other than sales or use in the ordinary course of
business. All tangible assets included in the Acquired Assets are in good
operating condition and repair, free from any defects (except such minor defects
as do not interfere with the use thereof in the conduct of the normal operations
of Seller), have been maintained consistent with the standards generally
followed in the industry and are sufficient to carry on the Business of Seller.
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SECTION
2.08 Assumed
Contracts.
The
contracts or other agreements constituting the Assumed Contracts were entered
into in the ordinary course of business and are in full force and effect in
accordance with their terms. Seller has provided to Buyer true and complete
copies of all Assumed Contracts. Seller is not in default of any Assumed
Contract and, to Seller’s Knowledge, each other party to any Assumed Contract is
not in default thereof, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse
of
time would constitute a breach or default. Subject to obtaining necessary
consents or approvals, Seller has all requisite power and authority to assign
to
Buyer the rights of Seller under all Assumed Contracts. Section 2.08 of the
Disclosure Letter lists all agreements pursuant to which the Company has granted
any license or other right or interest to any third party with respect to the
Acquired Assets or received a license or other right or interest in respect
of
the Acquired Assets. Except as disclosed on the Disclosure Letter there are
no
options, rights, licenses or interests of any kind relating to the Acquired
Assets.
SECTION
2.09 Litigation. There
are
no Actions filed or commenced by or before any court, arbitrator or any
governmental or administrative agency with respect to the Business or any of
the
Acquired Assets, and there are no orders, injunctions, awards, judgments or
decrees outstanding against, affecting or relating to the Business or any of
the
Acquired Assets.
SECTION
2.10 No
Violation; Consents.
Seller
is not subject to and is not a party to any mortgage, lien, lease, agreement,
contract, instrument, Law, or any other restriction of any kind or character,
which (i) materially and adversely affects the Business or financial condition
of the Acquired Assets, or (ii) would prevent consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or would be violated or breached in any material
respect by consummation of such transactions, or (iii) would prevent Seller
from
complying in any material respect with the terms, conditions and provisions
of
the Agreement, or (iv) would materially and adversely affect the ability of
Buyer to operate the Business and Acquired Assets after the Closing on
substantially the same basis as theretofore operated by Seller, or (v) except
as
expressly set forth in the Disclosure Letter, would require the consent of
any
third party to the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION
2.11 Taxes.
Seller
has paid all taxes due or assessed and owed by it with respect to the Business
and Acquired Assets being sold hereunder which are due and payable as of the
date hereof or which will be due for all periods before the Closing Date, and
will duly file all federal, state, local and other returns and pay any taxes
which are required to be filed or paid and which are applicable to the period
prior to the Closing. Seller shall bear and pay any and all sales, use, personal
property, ad valorum and transfer Taxes arising out of the transfer of the
Acquired Asset to Buyer hereunder. Buyer is not assuming any tax liabilities
arising with respect to the Business and Acquired Assets for any period before
the Closing Date.
SECTION
2.12 Financial
Statements.
The
Financial Statements included in the Disclosure Materials and all other
financial information provided to Buyer by Seller fairly and accurately
represent in all material respects the financial condition and operation of
the
Business as of the dates stated therein in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied. Other than as disclosed on Seller’s
Financial Statements, Seller does not have any liabilities or obligations
relating to the Business and Acquired Assets of any nature other than commercial
liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice and none of which has or will have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Business or the Acquired Assets. The Inventory is
merchantable and fit for the purpose for which it was procured or manufactured.
No portion of the Inventory is slow-moving, damaged, defective unusable,
unsaleable or obsolete.
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SECTION
2.13 SEC
Reports.
Seller
has filed all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”),
including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the three years
preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as Seller was required by
law
to file such material) (the foregoing materials, together with the Seller’s
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006, and the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, and
Seller’s definitive Proxy Statement, when filed with the SEC, being collectively
referred to herein as the "SEC
Reports"
and,
together with the documents filed as exhibits to Seller's Registration Statement
on Form SB-2, as amended, the "Disclosure
Materials")
on a
timely basis or has received a valid extension pursuant to Rule 12b-25 under
the
Exchange Act of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior
to
the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC
Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and none of the SEC Reports,
when
filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. All material agreements to which Seller is a party or to which
the properties or assets of Seller are subject as of the date of the applicable
SEC Report have been filed as exhibits to the SEC Reports. The financial
statements of Seller included in the SEC Reports (the “Financial
Statements”)
comply
in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules
and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect at the time of
filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved, except as may be
otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto, and
fairly present in all material respects the financial position of Seller and
its
consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of operations
and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited
statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments. Except as
disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, since June 30, 2007, (a) there has been
no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be
expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on the assets, business,
operations, financial condition, liquidity or prospects of Seller and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the Business or the Acquired Assets
("Material
Adverse Effect"),
(b)
Seller has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than
(x)
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and (y) liabilities not required to be disclosed in filings made with
the SEC, (c) Seller has not altered its method of accounting or the identity
of
its auditors and (d) Seller has not declared or made any payment or distribution
of cash or other property to its stockholders or officers or directors (other
than in compliance with existing Seller stock option plans) with respect to
its
capital stock, or purchased, redeemed (or made any agreements to purchase or
redeem) any shares of its capital stock.
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SECTION
2.14 Customer
Deposits.
The
Disclosure letter contains a true, correct and complete list of all customer
deposits and advance payments received by Seller or to be received by Seller
before the Closing for products and services to be sold or rendered after the
Closing.
SECTION
2.15 Insurance.
Seller
has maintained and will continue to maintain in force insurance coverage that
it
reasonably believes is adequate to protect the Business and Acquired Assets
through the Closing Date. The Disclosure Letter set forth each policy of
insurance applicable to the Business or the Acquired Assets.
SECTION
2.16 Licenses,
Permits and Compliance with Law. Seller
holds all governmental or regulatory licenses, certificates, permits,
franchises, approvals, authorizations, exemptions, registrations and rights
(“Permits”)
that
are necessary to operate the Business as presently operated, and before the
Closing Seller will have taken all actions and obtained all consents that are
required in order to transfer to Buyer at the Closing all such Permits. There
are no violations of any zoning, building, fire or health code or any other
statute, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Business or all or
any
part of the Acquired Assets, and Seller has no Knowledge of any such claim
or
assertion by a Governmental Authority.
SECTION
2.17 Environmental
Matters.
(a) As
used
herein, “Environmental
Law”
means
any federal, state or local statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, guidelines
and similar provisions whether or not having the force or effect of law, all
judicial and administrative orders and determinations, all contractual
obligations to a Governmental Authority and all applicable common law or other
Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment
(including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface
strata), including any law or regulation concerning public health and safety,
worker health and safety, and pollution or protection of the environment,
including all those relating to the presence, use, production, generation,
handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling,
testing, processing, discharge, release, threatened release, control, or cleanup
of any hazardous materials, substances or wastes, chemical substances or
mixtures, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals, petroleum
products or byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise or radiation
or otherwise relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases
of any Hazardous Material or to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of any Hazardous Material.
(b) No
underground storage tanks and no amount of any substance that has been
designated by any Governmental Authority or by applicable Law to be radioactive,
toxic, hazardous or otherwise a danger to health or the environment, including,
without limitation, PCBs, asbestos, petroleum, urea-formaldehyde and all
substances listed as hazardous substances pursuant to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended
(“CERCLA”),
or
defined as a hazardous waste pursuant to the United States Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the regulations promulgated pursuant
to said laws, but excluding office and janitorial supplies (a “Hazardous
Material”),
are
present, as a result of the actions of Seller or any Affiliate of Seller,
or, to
Seller’s Knowledge, as a result of any actions of any third party or otherwise,
in, on or under any property, including the land and the improvements, ground
water and surface water thereof that Seller at any time owned, operated,
occupied or leased. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Letter, none of
the
following exists at any property or facility owned or operated by Seller
and
used in the Business: (a) underground storage tanks; (b) asbestos-containing
material in any form or condition; (c) materials or equipment containing
polychlorinated biphenyls; or (d) landfills, surface impoundments or other
disposal areas.
7
(c) (i) Seller
has not transported, stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released or
exposed its employees or others to Hazardous Materials in violation of any
Law
in effect on or before the Closing, and (ii) Seller has not disposed of,
transported, sold, used, released, exposed its employees or others to or
manufactured any product containing a Hazardous Material (collectively
“Hazardous
Materials Activities”)
in
violation of any rule, regulation, treaty or statute promulgated by any
Governmental Authority in effect before or as of the date hereof to prohibit,
regulate or control Hazardous Materials or any Hazardous Materials
Activity.
(d) There
are
no environmental approvals, permits, licenses, clearances or consents material
to and necessary for the conduct of the Business as such activities and
businesses are currently being conducted by Seller.
(e) No
material action, proceeding, revocation proceeding, amendment procedure, writ
or
injunction is pending, and to Seller’s Knowledge, no material action,
proceeding, revocation proceeding, amendment procedure, writ or injunction
has
been threatened by any Governmental Authority against Seller in a writing
delivered to Seller concerning any Hazardous Material or any Hazardous Materials
Activity. Seller is not aware of any fact or circumstance which reasonably
could
be expected to involve Seller or any of the Acquired Assets in any environmental
litigation or impose upon Seller any environmental liability. To Seller’s
Knowledge, no current or prior owner of any property leased, used, occupied
or
possessed by Seller has received any notice or other communication (in writing
or otherwise), whether from a governmental body, citizens group, employee or
otherwise, that alleges that such current or prior owner of any property leased,
used, occupied or possessed by Seller and relating to the Business or Acquired
Assets has not complied with, or is not in compliance with, any Environmental
Law.
(f) Seller
has not received any notice, report or other information regarding any
Liability, including any investigatory, remedial or corrective obligations,
relating to the Business or relating to the facilities used in the Business
which are owned or leased by Seller and arising under Environmental Laws.
(g) Except
as
disclosed in the Disclosure Letter, with respect to the Business or at
facilities used in the Business, Seller has not treated, stored, disposed of,
arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, or released
any
substance, including any hazardous substance, owned or operated any property
or
facility (and no such property or facility is contaminated by any such
substance) in a manner that has given or could give rise to liabilities of
Seller, including any liability for response costs, corrective action costs,
personal injury, property damage, natural resources damages or attorney fees,
pursuant to CERCLA or the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended ("SWDA")
or any
other Environmental Law. To the Knowledge of Seller, no facts, events or
conditions relating to the past or present facilities, properties or operations
of Seller will prevent, hinder or limit continued compliance with Environmental
Laws, give rise to any investigatory, remedial or corrective obligations
pursuant to Environmental Laws, or give rise to any other liabilities pursuant
to Environmental Laws, including any relating to onsite or offsite releases
or
threatened releases of hazardous materials, substances or wastes, personal
injury, property damage or natural resources damage.
8
(h) To
the
Knowledge of Seller, neither this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will result in any obligations
for
site investigation or cleanup, or notification to or consent of any Governmental
Authority or third party.
(i) With
regard to the Business, Seller has not, either expressly or by operation of
law,
assumed or undertaken any Liability, including any obligation for corrective
or
remedial action, of any other person or entity relating to Environmental Law.
SECTION
2.18 Product
Liability.
Except
as disclosed in the Disclosure Letter, there are no actions, suits, inquiries,
proceedings or investigations by or before any Governmental Authority pending
or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened, against or involving Seller relating
to any product alleged to have been sold by or through Seller and alleged to
have been defective or improperly designed, manufactured or
labeled.
SECTION
2.19 Product
Warranty.
Each
product included in the Acquired Assets sold, leased, or delivered by Seller
has
been in conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all express
and implied warranties, and Seller has no liability (and there is no basis
for
any present or future action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge,
complaint, claim, or demand against any of them giving rise to any liability)
for replacement or repair thereof or other damages in connection therewith.
No
product included in the Acquired Assets sold, leased, or delivered by Seller
is
subject to any guaranty, warranty, or other indemnity beyond the applicable
standard terms and conditions of sale or lease. The Disclosure Letter includes
copies of the standard terms and conditions of sale by Seller (containing
applicable guaranty, warranty, and indemnity provisions).
SECTION
2.20 Intellectual
Property.
(a) The
Disclosure Letter contains a complete and accurate list of all Seller registered
Intellectual Property and specifies, where applicable, the jurisdictions in
which each such item of Seller registered Intellectual Property has been issued
or registered and lists any proceedings or actions before any court, tribunal
(including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”)
or
equivalent authority anywhere in the world) related to any of the Seller
registered Intellectual Property.
(b) Except
as
set forth in of the Disclosure Letter, no Seller Intellectual Property or
Product is subject to any proceeding or outstanding decree, order, judgment,
contract, license, agreement, or stipulation restricting in any manner the
use,
transfer, or licensing thereof by Seller, or which may affect the validity,
use
or enforceability of such Seller Intellectual Property or Products.
(c) Except
as
set forth in of the Disclosure Letter, each item of Seller registered
Intellectual Property is valid and subsisting, all necessary registration,
maintenance and renewal fees currently due in connection with such Seller
registered Intellectual Property have been made and all necessary documents,
records and certificates in connection with such Seller registered Intellectual
Property have been filed with the relevant patent, copyright, trademark or
other
authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may
be,
for the purposes of maintaining such Seller registered Intellectual Property.
There are no actions that must be taken by Seller within sixty (60) days of
the
Closing Date, including, without limitation, the payment of any registration,
maintenance or renewal fees or the filing of any documents, applications or
certificates for the purposes of maintaining, perfecting or preserving or
renewing any Seller Registered Intellectual Property.
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(d) The
Seller Intellectual Property constitutes all the Intellectual Property used
in
and/or necessary to the conduct of the Business, including, without limitation,
the development, manufacture, use, import and sale of Products. Seller is the
exclusive owner of all Intellectual Property used in connection with the
operation or conduct of the Business, including, without limitation, the sale,
distribution or provision of any Products, free and clear of all Encumbrances
and has the right to use all such assets without payment to a third party.
(e) Except
as
set forth in the Disclosure Letter, (i) no Products or any Intellectual Property
incorporated into any Products were developed by or with the assistance of
any
third party. To the extent that any Intellectual Property has been developed
or
created independently or jointly by a third party for Seller or is incorporated
into any of the Products, Seller has a written agreement with such third party
with respect thereto and Seller thereby either (i) has obtained ownership of,
and is the exclusive owner of, or (ii) has obtained a perpetual, non-terminable
license (sufficient for the conduct of its business as currently conducted
and
as proposed to be conducted) to all such third party’s Intellectual Property in
such work, material or invention by operation of law or by valid assignment,
to
the fullest extent necessary to permit Seller’s use, licensing, disposition,
distribution and ownership of the Products without limit or restriction in
any
manner.
(f) Seller
has not transferred ownership of, or granted any exclusive license with respect
to, any Intellectual Property that is or was Seller Intellectual Property,
to
any third party, or permitted Seller’s rights in such Seller Intellectual
Property to lapse or enter the public domain.
(g) The
Disclosure Letter contains a complete and accurate list of all contracts,
licenses and agreements to which Seller is a party: (i) with respect to Seller
Intellectual Property licensed or transferred to any third party; or (ii)
pursuant to which a third party has licensed or transferred any Intellectual
Property to Seller.
(h) All
contracts, licenses and agreements relating to either (i) Seller Intellectual
Property or (ii) Intellectual Property of a third party licensed to Seller,
are
in full force and effect. The consummation of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement will neither violate nor result in the breach, modification,
cancellation, termination or suspension of such contracts, licenses and
agreements or cause the forfeiture, modification or termination or give right
of
forfeiture, modification or termination of any Seller Intellectual Property
or
in any way impair the right of Seller to use, sell, license or dispose of or
to
bring any action for the infringement of any Seller Intellectual Property or
portion thereof. Seller is in compliance in all material respects with, and
has
not materially breached any term of any such contracts, licenses and agreements
and, to the Knowledge of Seller, all other parties to such contracts, licenses
and agreements are in compliance in all material respects with, and have not
materially breached any term of, such contracts, licenses and agreements.
Following the Closing Date, Buyer will be permitted to exercise all of Seller’s
rights under such contracts, licenses and agreements to the same extent Seller
would have been able to had the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
not
occurred and without the payment of any additional amounts or consideration
other than ongoing fees, royalties or payments which Seller would otherwise
be
required to pay. Neither this Agreement nor the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including the assignment to Buyer of any contracts or agreements
to which the Seller is a party, will result in (i) Buyer granting to any third
party any right to or with respect to any Intellectual Property right owned
by,
or licensed to, Buyer, (ii) Buyer being bound by, or subject to, any non-compete
or other restriction on the operation or scope of Buyer’s business, or (iii)
Buyer being obligated to pay any royalties or other material amounts to any
third party in excess of those payable by Seller prior to the Closing other
than
ongoing fees, royalties or payments Seller would otherwise be required to pay
prior to the Closing.
10
(i) The
operation of the Business of Seller as such business currently is conducted
or
is reasonably contemplated to be conducted, including (i) Seller’s, development,
manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of the Products, and (ii) the
Seller’s use of any product, ingredient, device or process, has not, does not
and will not infringe or misappropriate the Intellectual Property of any third
party, constitute unfair competition or trade practices under the laws of any
jurisdiction or violate any license or agreement between Seller and any third
party.
(j) Seller
has not received notice from any third party that the operation of the Business
of Seller or any act, product or service of Seller, infringes or misappropriates
the Intellectual Property of any third party or constitutes unfair competition
or trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction.
(k) Neither
the development, manufacture, marketing, license, sale nor use of any product,
technology or service included in the Acquired Assets violates or will violate
any license or agreement with any third party or infringes or will infringe
any
intellectual property of any third party. Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Letter, there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller threatened (either
orally or in writing), claim or litigation contesting the validity, ownership
or
right to use, sell, license or dispose of any Seller Intellectual Property
nor,
to the Knowledge of Seller, is there any valid basis for any such claim, nor
has
Seller received any notice asserting that any Seller Intellectual Property
or
the proposed use, sale, license or disposition thereof conflicts or will
conflict with the rights of any other person, nor is there any basis for any
such assertion.
(l) To
the
Knowledge of Seller, no person has infringed or is infringing or
misappropriating any Seller Intellectual Property.
SECTION
2.21 Assumed
Contracts.
All
Assumed Contracts are in written form. Seller has performed all of the
obligations required to be performed by it and is entitled to all benefits
under, and is not in default in respect of, any of the Assumed Contracts. Each
Assumed contract is in full force and effect, unamended except as disclosed
to
Buyer, and there exists no material default or material event of default or
event, occurrence, condition or act, with respect to Seller or to Seller’s
knowledge with respect to the other contracting party, which, with the giving
of
notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any other event or conditions,
would become a material default or material event of default under an Assumed
Contract. True, correct and complete copies of all Assumed Contracts have been
delivered to Buyer.
11
SECTION
2.22 Absence
of Certain Changes. Seller
has conducted the Business only in the usual and ordinary course consistent
with
past practice and there has not been: (i) any damage, destruction, loss or
other
change in the condition of the Acquired Assets, except for normal wear and
tear;
(ii) any sale or transfer of any of the Acquired Assets other than in the
ordinary course of business; and (iii) any liability incurred by Seller with
regard to the Acquired Assets, contingent or otherwise, other than trade
accounts, operating expenses, obligations under executory contracts incurred
for
fair consideration, or taxes accrued with respect to operations during such
period, all incurred in the ordinary course of business.
SECTION
2.23 Preferences.
The
following statements will be, after giving effect to the transactions
contemplated hereby, upon each distribution, if any, of any assets or property
of Seller to the stockholders of Seller after the Closing, true and
correct:
(a)
The
aggregate value of all assets and properties of Seller, at their respective
then
present fair saleable values, exceeds the amount of all the debts and
Liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent, subordinated, unmatured
and unliquidated liabilities) of Seller. In determining the present fair
saleable value of Seller’s contingent liabilities (such as litigation,
guarantees and pension plan liabilities), Seller has considered such liabilities
that could possibly become actual or matured liabilities.
(b)
Seller is not insolvent as such term is used in Section 548 of the Bankruptcy
Code and any applicable fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance laws,
statutes, rules or regulations applicable to Seller.
(c)
The
Purchase Price received by Seller in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby constitutes reasonably equivalent consideration for the
Purchased Assets.
SECTION
2.24 Brokers,
Finders, Etc.
Seller
has not employed any broker, finder, consultant or other intermediary in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement who might be
entitled to a fee or commission in connection with such
transactions.
Disclosures. No
representation or warranty by Seller in this Agreement, nor any statement,
certificate, document, schedule or exhibit hereto furnished or to be furnished
by or on behalf of Seller pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with
transactions contemplated hereby, contains or shall contain any untrue statement
of material fact or omits or shall omit a material fact necessary to make the
statements contained therein not misleading. All statements and information
contained in any certificate, instrument, document, schedule, or exhibit
delivered by or on behalf of Seller shall be deemed representations and
warranties by Seller.
12
ARTICLE
III.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF NUTRACEA
Buyer
represents and warrants to Seller, as of the date hereof, as
follows:
SECTION
3.01 Organization,
Authority, Execution, Delivery and Enforceability.
Buyer
is
a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of California with its principal place of business in Arizona with the
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by
all requisite corporate action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes the valid, binding and
enforceable obligation of Buyer, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, and any other
laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights
generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific
performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
Buyer is
not subject to, or bound by, any provision of: (i) its bylaws and articles
of
incorporation or similar organizational documents, each as amended through
the
date of this Agreement, (ii) any mortgage, deed of trust, lease, note,
shareholders’ agreement, bond, indenture, license, permit, trust, custodianship,
or other instrument, agreement or restriction, or (iii) any judgment, order,
writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority that would prevent,
or
be violated by, or under which there would be a default as a result of, nor
is
the consent of any person required for, the execution, delivery and performance
by Buyer of this Agreement and the obligations contained herein, including
without limitation, the purchase of the Acquired Assets. No filing with, and
no
permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority is
necessary for the consummation by Buyer of the transaction contemplated by
this
Agreement.
SECTION
3.02 No
Other Buyer Representations or Warranties.
Except
for the representations and warranties contained in this Article, neither Buyer
nor any other Person makes any other express or implied representation or
warranty on behalf of Buyer.
Buyer
expressly make any representation or warranty concerning the tax consequences
of
the transaction contemplated by this Letter to Seller or its shareholders.
ARTICLE
IV.
COVENANTS
SECTION
4.01 Publicity.
Buyer
and Seller shall consult with each other and agree before issuing any initial
press release or otherwise making any initial public statement with respect
to
the Acquisition and this Agreement and shall not issue any such press release
or
make any such public statement prior to such agreement, except as may be
required by applicable law, in which case reasonable efforts to consult with
the
other party hereto shall be made prior to such release or public statement.
The
parties shall coordinate the timing of the initial public announcement of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement. After the initial announcement of
the
execution of this Agreement, the parties shall make such public announcements
as
they individually determine including any required by law or applicable stock
exchange requirements, and shall attempt to cooperate and keep each informed
concerning the content of any material public announcements concerning this
Agreement and the Acquisition and, where reasonably practicable, permit the
other party to review such public announcements prior to their
distribution.
13
SECTION
4.02 Access
to Information; Confidentiality.
Seller
shall afford the Buyer and its accountants, counsel and other representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours to the Acquired Assets and the
properties, books, records and personnel of Seller for inspection and copying,
to obtain all information concerning the Business and the Acquired Assets,
as
Buyer may reasonably request, and to consult with management employees of Seller
relating to the Business. No information or knowledge obtained in any
investigation pursuant to this Section shall affect or be deemed to modify
any
representation or warranty contained herein or the conditions to the obligations
of the parties hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
SECTION
4.03 Further
Assurances.
Each of
Seller and Buyer shall from time to time after the Closing, without additional
consideration, execute and deliver such further instruments and take such other
action as may be reasonably requested by the other party to make effective
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement including without limitation the
registration or recordation of the transfer of the Intellectual Property into
the name of Buyer. With respect to all documents, information and other
materials included in the Acquired Assets, in addition to paper and other
tangible copies, Seller shall, upon Buyer’s request, also provide to Buyer
electronic copies of such documents, information and other materials to the
extent such copies are in Seller’s possession or can be obtained through
commercially reasonable efforts.
SECTION
4.04 Proxy
Statement; Other Filings.
(a) As
promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, (i) Seller shall
prepare and file with the SEC at its expense a proxy statement (the
“Proxy
Statement”)
to be
sent to the stockholders of Seller in connection with the meeting of the
stockholders of Seller to consider the approval and adoption of this Agreement
and the Acquisition (the “Seller
Stockholders’ Meeting”),
and
shall also prepare and make with the SEC such other filings as may be required
under applicable federal law. Buyer shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to cooperate in such preparation and filing and shall provide such
information as Seller may reasonably request for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement. Seller shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to respond
to
any comments of the SEC promptly and to resolve any unresolved comments, and
to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders at the earliest
practicable time. Seller shall notify Buyer promptly upon the receipt of any
comments from the SEC or its staff and of any request by the SEC or its staff
or
any other Governmental Authority for revisions to the Proxy Statement, and
shall
supply the other party or parties hereto with copies of all correspondence
between such party or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and the
SEC,
or its staff or any other Governmental Authority, on the other hand, with
respect to the Proxy Statement. All out of pocket expenses associated with
the
preparation of the Proxy Statement incurred by Seller, or by Buyer when acting
pursuant to a request made by Seller, including without limitation, any costs
associated with a fairness opinion, a proxy solicitation or other professional
services provided to Seller, shall be borne solely by Seller. If any such
expenses are borne by Buyer, Seller shall reimburse Buyer, in full on demand,
as
the case may be.
14
(b) The
Proxy
Statement shall also include the recommendation of the Board of Directors of
Seller in favor of adoption and approval of this Agreement and the
Acquisition.
SECTION
4.05 Meetings
of Stockholders.
Seller
shall take all action necessary in accordance with Nevada Law and its
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to convene the Seller Stockholders’
Meeting to be held as promptly as reasonably practicable, for the purpose of
voting upon this Agreement and the Acquisition. Seller shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies in
favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Acquisition. The
Board of Directors of Seller shall recommend that the stockholders of Seller
vote in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Acquisition
at the Seller Stockholders’ Meeting. In addition, the Proxy Statement shall
include a statement to the effect that the Board of Directors of Seller has
recommended that the stockholders of Seller vote in favor of approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the Acquisition.
SECTION
4.06 No
Other Discussions.
Buyer
will devote substantial time and effort and incur substantial expenses
conducting due diligence and preparing the Agreement and other documentation
in
connection with the Acquisition. Accordingly, to induce Buyer to commit its
resources to this effort, from the Agreement Date until the Closing Date (or
if
earlier) termination of the Agreement (the “Exclusive
Period”),
Seller will not, directly or indirectly, through any representative or
otherwise, and will not allow any officer or director of Seller or any other
person on its behalf, to (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage submission of
any
Alternative Transaction, or (ii) engage in any discussions with or furnish
any
information with respect to the foregoing to any person or any entity, or
furnish any non-public information to any person or entity that has made any
proposal with respect to any such Alternative Transaction. In addition, Seller
agrees to immediately cease and cause to be terminated any such contacts or
negotiations with third parties. Seller shall immediately notify Buyer of all
inquiries related to an Alternative Transaction, including information as to
the
identity of the party making the proposal and the specific terms of such
proposal.
SECTION
4.07 Notice
of Buyer of Any Seller Acquisition Proposal.
During
the Exclusive Period, as promptly as practicable and in any event within
twenty-four (24) hours, Seller shall advise Buyer orally and in writing of
any
request received by Seller for non-public information which Seller reasonably
believes could lead to a Seller Acquisition Proposal or of any Seller
Acquisition Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such request or
Seller Acquisition Proposal, and the identity of the person or group making
any
such request or Seller Acquisition Proposal. Seller shall keep Buyer informed
in
all material respects of the status and details (including material amendments
or proposed amendments) of any such request or Seller Acquisition
Proposal.
SECTION
4.08 Superior
Offer.
Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent the Board of Directors of Seller, before the stockholders of Seller
have
approved this Agreement and the Acquisition, from withholding, withdrawing,
amending or modifying its recommendation in favor of the adoption and approval
of this Agreement and the Acquisition by the stockholders of Seller if (i)
a
Superior Offer is made to Seller and is not withdrawn, (ii) neither Seller
nor
any of its representatives shall have violated in any material respect the
provisions of this Agreement, and (iii) the Board of Directors of Seller
concludes in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel,
that, in light of such Superior Offer, the withholding, withdrawal, amendment
or
modification of such recommendation is required in order for the Board of
Directors of Seller comply with its fiduciary obligations to the stockholders
of
Seller under applicable Law.
15
SECTION
4.09 Legal
Requirements.
Each of
Buyer and Seller shall take all reasonable actions necessary or desirable to
comply promptly with all legal requirements which may be imposed on them with
respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(including furnishing all information required in connection with approvals
of
or filings with any Governmental Authority, and prompt resolution of any
litigation prompted hereby) and will promptly cooperate with and furnish
information to any party hereto necessary in connection with any such
requirements imposed upon any of them in connection with the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION
4.10 Third
Party Consents.
Seller
shall cooperate with Buyer and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts
to
obtain the consents, waivers and approvals required under any of Seller’s
agreements, contracts, licenses or leases included in the Acquired Assets.
in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and shall continue such cooperation until at least 90 days after
the
Closing
Date.
SECTION
4.11 Covenants. Buyer
and
Seller will cooperate and use their good faith efforts to satisfy the conditions
to closing described below and, upon satisfaction of such conditions, to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION
4.12 Seller
Covenants.
From
the Agreement Date until the Closing, Seller will:
(a) use
its
best efforts to protect the Acquired Assets, cooperate with Buyer concerning
protection of intellectual property rights and customer relationships relating
to the Acquired Assets and take such actions as Buyer may reasonably request
relating to protection of such assets, and effect no transfer, sale, assignment,
lease, license or Encumbrance of or on any of the Acquired Assets (other than
product sales in the ordinary course of Seller’s business);
(b) engage
in
no transactions materially inconsistent with its representations and warranties
in this Agreement;
(c) use
its
best efforts to obtain, before the Closing, the written consent of all third
parties necessary for Seller to consummate the Acquisition and to transfer
and
assign the Acquired Assets to Buyer;
(d) to
obtain
all consents, approvals, and authorizations that are required under any
applicable law, rule or regulation;
(e) notify
Buyer promptly upon receipt of any communication or legal process which
commences or threatens litigation against Seller, its business, or any of the
Acquired Assets;
(f) provide
Buyer, whether before or after the Closing, with any further documents that
Buyer reasonably requests relating to the Acquired Assets or the Business or
to
carry into effect the Acquisition;
16
(g) pay
any
sales, use or other taxes as a result of the Acquisition;
(h) upon
the
Closing, cease use of the intellectual property included in or relating to
the
Acquired Assets without Buyer's prior written consent; and
(i) from
the
date hereof until the Closing, preserve and operate its business in the ordinary
course and will not enter into any transaction or agreement or take any action
out of the ordinary course or enter into any transaction or make any commitment
involving an expense or capital expenditure by Seller relating to the Acquired
Assets, in excess of $10,000, without Buyer’s prior written consent, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
SECTION
4.13 Buyer
Covenants.
Buyer
agrees that from the Agreement Date until the Closing, subject to its rights
described herein not to consummate the Agreement, it will:
(a) use
all
reasonable efforts to conduct its business in such a manner so as to not be
in
material breach of the representations and warranties made to Seller herein;
(b) notify
Seller promptly upon receipt of any communication or legal process which
commences or threatens litigation relating to the Acquired Assets or the
transactions contemplated hereby; and
(c) retain
those employees who are identified in Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Letter
on
the terms set forth therein, for up to the periods of time set forth
therein.
SECTION
4.14 Assignment
of Contracts.
Seller
has set forth in the Disclosure Letter all third party consents that are
required in order to transfer and assign any of the Assumed Contracts or any
other Acquired Asset. To the extent the assignment of any contract, commitment,
or other asset to be assigned to Buyer pursuant to the provisions hereof shall
require the consent of any other person, this Agreement shall not constitute
a
contract to assign the same if an attempted assignment would constitute a breach
thereof or give rise to any right of acceleration or termination. Seller shall
use best efforts to procure consents to any such assignment prior to Closing.
If
any such consent is not obtained, Seller shall cooperate with Buyer in any
reasonable arrangement designed by Buyer to provide Buyer the benefit of any
such contract, agreement, commitment, or other asset, including enforcement
of
any and all rights of Seller against the other party thereto arising out of
breach or cancellation thereof by such party or otherwise.
SECTION
4.15 Business
and Goodwill Preservation.
Except
as otherwise requested by Buyer, and without making any commitments on Buyer’s
behalf, Seller shall use its best efforts in the normal course of business
to
preserve for Buyer the goodwill of the customers of Seller and others having
business relations with it. Seller will conduct its business in the normal,
usual manner, and will use its best efforts to preserve the Acquired Assets
intact. Seller will, at all times from the date hereof until Closing, maintain
and keep its property in good repair, working order, and condition; maintain
proper business and accounting records; and maintain existing insurance on
its
properties. Seller and Shareholders shall notify Buyer of any event or
transaction of which they become aware prior to Closing that could materially
Buyer, Seller or the Acquired Assets in an adverse manner. In addition, Seller
shall provide Buyer with a copy of its monthly financial statements covering
the
Business and Acquired Assets promptly after the close of each month prior to
Closing. Seller and Buyer also agree to use commercially reasonable good faith
efforts to develop mutually agreeable marketing arrangements to support and
enhance product development and sales.
17
ARTICLE
V.
CLOSING
CONDITIONS
SECTION
5.01 Conditions
to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Acquisition.
The
respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to effect the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction
or fulfillment, at or before the Closing, of the following
conditions:
(a) Stockholder
Approval.
This
Agreement and the Acquisition shall have been approved by the requisite vote
under applicable law by the stockholders of Seller.
(b) Proxy
Statement.
No
proceeding relating to the Proxy Statement or the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement shall have been initiated or threatened in writing by the
SEC.
(c) No
Order.
No
Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or
entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction
or
other order which is in effect and which has the effect of making the
transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise prohibiting the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) No
Injunctions or Restraints.
No
temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order
issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be in effect, nor shall any proceeding brought by a Governmental Authority
seeking any of the foregoing be pending.
SECTION
5.02 Additional
Conditions to Obligations of Seller.
The
obligation of Seller to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be subject to the satisfaction or fulfillment, at or before the Closing,
of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing,
exclusively by Seller:
(a) Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement,
and
as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as
of
the Closing Date.
(b) Agreements
and Covenants.
Buyer
shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements
and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
Buyer on or before to the Closing Date.
18
(c) Certificate
of Buyer.
Seller
shall have received a certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of
Buyer
to the effect that, as of the Closing Date, each of the conditions specified
in
Sections
5.02(a)
and (b) have been satisfied.
(d) Delivery
of Purchase Price.
Buyer
shall have delivered the Closing Payment and the VL Securities for cancellation.
SECTION
5.03 Additional
Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer.
The
obligations of Buyer to consummate and effect the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or fulfillment, at or before
the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, any of which may be
waived, in writing, exclusively by Buyer:
(a) Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement shall
be
true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement,
with
the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.
(b) Agreements
and Covenants.
Seller
shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements
and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
Seller on or before to the Closing Date.
(c) Certificate
of Seller.
Buyer
shall have received a certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of
Seller to the effect that, as of the Closing Date, each of the conditions
specified in Sections 5.03(a) and (b) have been satisfied.
(d) Collateral
Agreements.
Seller
shall have executed and delivered the Collateral Agreements, including without
limitation, the following documents requested by Buyer, in each case in
customary form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer: (i) a xxxx of
sale, in customary form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer; (ii)
instruments of assignment and assumption; (iii) instruments of assignment of
patents; (iv) instruments of assignment of copyrights; (v) instruments of
assignments of trademarks; and (vi) such other instruments, certificates and
agreements as Buyer may reasonably request in order to effectively transfer
to
Buyer all of the Acquired Assets.
(e) Material
Adverse Effect.
No
Material Adverse Effect relating to the Business or relating to the Acquired
Assets shall have occurred and be continuing.
(f) Proceedings
Satisfactory.
On the
Closing Date, all actions, proceedings, instruments and documents required
by
Seller to effect the Acquisition and all other related matters shall have been
completed to the reasonable satisfaction of Buyer.
(g) Noncompetition
Agreement.
If
requested by Buyer, Seller and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall have entered into a
customary Noncompetition Agreement in such form and substance as is reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer.
19
ARTICLE
VI.
TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER, TERMINATION FEE
SECTION
6.01 Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time before the Closing Date, whether before
or after adoption and approval of this Agreement and approval of the Agreement
by the stockholders of Seller:
(a) by
mutual
written consent duly authorized by the Boards of Directors of Buyer and
Seller;
(b) by
either
Seller or Buyer if the Acquisition shall not have been consummated by (i) if
the
SEC does not review the preliminary Proxy Statement, January 31, 2008, and
(ii)
if the SEC does review the preliminary Proxy Statement, March 31, 2008,
provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 6.01(b) shall not be available to any party whose action or failure
to
act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Acquisition
to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes
a
material breach of this Agreement;
(c) by
either
Seller or Buyer if a Governmental Authority shall have issued an order, decree
or ruling or taken any other action, in any case having the effect of
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Acquisition,
which order, decree or ruling is final and nonappealable;
(d) by
either
Seller or Buyer if the required approvals of the stockholders of Seller
contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been obtained by reason of the
failure to obtain the required vote upon a vote taken at a meeting of
stockholders duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement
thereof; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 6.01(d) shall not be available to Seller where the failure
to
obtain approval of Seller’s stockholders shall have been caused by the action or
failure to act of Seller and such action or failure to act constitutes a
material breach of this Agreement;
(e) by
Seller, upon a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement on the part of Buyer set forth in this Agreement, or if any
representation or warranty of Buyer shall have become untrue in any material
respect, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section 5.02(a)
or
5.02(b) hereof would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of
the
time such representation or warranty shall have become untrue, provided,
however, that if such inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of Buyer
or breach by Buyer is curable by Buyer through the exercise of its commercially
reasonable best efforts, then Seller may not terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 6.01(e) for thirty (30) calendar days after delivery of written
notice from Seller to Buyer of such breach, provided that Buyer continues to
exercise its best efforts to cure such breach (it being understood that Seller
may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) if such breach
by Buyer is cured during such thirty (30) calendar day period);
20
(f) by
Buyer,
upon a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
on
the part of Seller set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or
warranty of Seller shall have become untrue in any material respect, in either
case such that the conditions set forth in Section 5.03(a) or 5.03(b) hereof
would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such
representation or warranty shall have become untrue, provided, however, that
if
such inaccuracy in Seller’s representations and warranties or breach by Seller
is curable by Seller through the exercise of its commercially reasonable best
efforts, then Buyer may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
6.01(f) for thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice from Buyer to
Seller of such breach, provided Seller continues to exercise its best efforts
to
cure such breach (it being understood that Buyer may not terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.01(f) if such breach by Seller is cured
during such thirty (30) calendar day period);
(g) by
Buyer
if a Buyer Triggering Event shall have occurred.
SECTION
6.02 Fees
and Expenses; Termination Payment.
(a) General.
Except
as set forth in this Section 6.02, all fees and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid
by
the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Acquisition is
consummated.
(b) Termination
Payment.
If this
Agreement is terminated, this Agreement (other than as set forth below in this
Section 6.02(b) and in Article VIII) shall become void and of no effect with
no
liability or obligation on the part of any party hereto (or of any of its
directors, officers, employees, agents, legal and financial advisers or other
representatives); provided
however
except
as otherwise provided herein, no such termination shall relieve any party hereto
of any liability for damages resulting from any willful or intentional breach
of
this Agreement and for the following payments:
(i) |
Notwithstanding
any limitation on payments due from Seller to Buyer contained in this
Agreement, Seller hereby agrees to and shall, pay to Buyer or its order
in
the circumstances set forth in Section 6.02(b)(ii) below a termination
fee, which will be fully earned, of $250,000 (“Termination
Fee”),
payable by wire transfer of same day funds.
|
(ii) |
The
Termination Fee shall be paid by Seller to Buyer or its order no later
than two (2) business days after the first to occur of (x) a Seller
Acquisition Transaction and (y) the occurrence of a Buyer Triggering
Event.
|
(iii) |
All
other amounts payable under clause (i) of this paragraph shall be paid
by
Seller to Buyer or its order within two (2) business days after
demand.
|
21
ARTICLE
VII.
SURVIVAL
SECTION
7.01 Survival
of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
The
representations, warranties and covenants of Buyer and Seller shall expire
upon
the Closing and shall be of no further force or effect.
ARTICLE
VIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
8.01 Notices.
All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given upon receipt if delivered personally, three (3) business after
deposit in the mails if sent if mailed by registered or certified mail (return
receipt requested), or one (1) business day after deposit with a reputable
overnight express courier (charges prepaid) or transmitted by facsimile (with
confirmation of transmittal), to the parties at the following addresses (or
at
such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):
if
to
Seller, to:
Vital
Living, Inc.
0000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xx.
Xxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxxxx
Traurig
0000
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
if
to
Buyer:
NutraCea
0000
X.
00xx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
22
with
a
copy to:
Weintraub
Genshlea Chediak
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx, 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
SECTION
8.02 Descriptive
Headings.
The
descriptive headings herein are inserted for convenience only and are not
intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
SECTION
8.03 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be
considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one
or
more such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered
to
the other party.
SECTION
8.04 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement along with the Exhibits contain the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements. Neither party shall be liable or bound to any
other party in any manner by any representations, warranties or covenants
relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth
herein.
SECTION
8.05 Fees
and Expenses.
Unless
otherwise specifically provided herein regardless of whether or not the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, each party shall
bear its own fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION
8.06 Governing
Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of Arizona, exclusive of its choice-of-law rules. In any action between
the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Collateral
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby: (a) each
of
the parties consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction and venue of Arizona
state courts and the United States District Court for the judicial district
in
which Phoenix, Arizona is located; (b) if any such action is commenced in any
state court, then, subject to applicable law and rules of civil procedure,
no
party shall object to the removal of such action to any federal court located
in
the relevant Federal District; (c) each party irrevocably waives the right
to
trial by jury.
SECTION
8.07 Dispute
Resolution.
The
parties agree that the exclusive means for resolving any dispute arising out
of
or relating to this Letter shall be binding arbitration to be held in Phoenix,
Arizona, pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association. If the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator,
then each party shall select one arbitrator, and the two arbitrators so selected
shall appoint the third arbitrator. The parties shall each pay one-half of
the
costs of the arbitrators. The arbitration shall be resolved as soon as
reasonably possible.
23
SECTION
8.08 Successors
and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties
hereto, their successors and permitted assigns (for the avoidance of doubt
Buyer
shall be free to assign this agreement to any of its Affiliates without the
need
for consent but this Agreement shall not be assigned by Seller without Buyer’s
prior written consent), and notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement,
nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer
upon any other person or persons who is not a party to this Agreement any right,
benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
SECTION
8.09 Severability.
In the
event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the
application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the parties shall negotiate in
good
faith with a view to the substitution therefore of a suitable and equitable
solution in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the
intent and purpose of such invalid provision; provided, however, that the
validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be in any
way
impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of
the
parties hereto shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
law.
SECTION
8.10 No
Waiver.
No
failure or delay by either party to exercise or enforce any rights conferred
on
it by this Agreement shall be construed or operate as a waiver thereof nor
shall
any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege or further
exercise thereof operate so as to bar the exercise or enforcement thereof at
any
time or times.
SECTION
8.11 Bulk
Transfer Laws.
Seller
shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from and against any and all Losses
incurred by Buyer in respect of Seller’s compliance or noncompliance with any
bulk transfer or similar laws applicable to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
[Remainder
of page intentionally left blank]
24
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have executed this Asset Purchase Agreement as of the date first
written above.
NUTRACEA, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Title: CEO
|
VITAL LIVING, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name:
Title:
|
SUBSIDIARY | ||
|
|
|
Subsidiary
Name:
|
||
|
||
By: | ||
Name:
Title:
|
25
EXHIBIT
A
DEFINITIONS
“Action”
or
“Actions”
means
any claim, suit, proceeding, arbitration, inquiry or investigation pending
or
brought by any Governmental Authority.
“Acquired
Assets”
means
all of the assets owned or licensed by Seller (including subsidiaries) that
are
useful or that may be used in conducting the Business, including without
limitation:
(i) Equipment.
Such
items of tangible operating assets relating to the Business or the other
Acquired Assets, including equipment, fixtures, furniture, equipment, computers,
software, tools, supplier, vehicles and leasehold improvements, machinery,
tools, computer hardware and software, computer programming, vehicles,
furniture, fixtures and similar tangible personal property employed by Seller
in
the conduct of the Business as the same may exist at the Closing, as are
described in the Schedule of Acquired Assets separately delivered by Seller
to
Buyer before the Agreement Date (the “Asset
Schedule”),
and
any other assets of like character used in the operation of the Business added
or substituted prior to the Closing with
Buyer’s written consent (all
of
such property being hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Equipment");
(ii) Inventory.
Such
items, if any, of merchandise, supplies, raw materials, work in process,
packaging, finished goods and other inventories of the Business as of the close
of business immediately before the Closing Date, as are set forth on the Asset
Schedule (all of such properties being hereinafter sometimes referred to as
the
"Inventory");
(iii) Assumed
Contracts.
Any
Contracts (whether or not in writing) of Seller or by which Seller or any of
the
Acquired Assets are bound, that are related to, or are necessary to or useful
in
the operation of the Business, including without limitation distribution or
similar agreements relating to any of the Products, and non-disclosure,
confidentiality and inventions assignment agreements or contracts (or portions
of agreements that contain such provisions) with all former and current
employees and consultants of Seller, to the extent related to the Acquired
Assets, all as set forth on the Asset Schedule (collectively “Assumed
Contracts”),
any
claims, rights and causes of action of Seller against third parties related
to
the Business, and all rights and interest of Seller in, to and under the Assumed
Contracts;
(iv) Permits.
All
easements, franchises, permits, licenses, consents, marketing approvals,
authorizations, and certificates of all regulatory, administrative, and other
governmental agencies and bodies issued to or held by Seller and which relate
to
the operation of the Business or products sold as part of the Business,
including without limitation those listed on the Asset Schedule (“Permits”);
provided, that any Permits that are not transferable shall be so identified
on
the Asset Schedule and shall not be included in the Assets transferred to
Buyer;
1
(v) Goodwill.
The
goodwill associated with the Business and books, records, general files, papers,
documents and information of the Business or relating to the Business, including
without limitation all customer lists, customer information, supplier and
distributor information, and data used in connection with the Business; the
exclusive right of Buyer to represent itself as carrying on the Business
previously conducted by Seller, and all rights in and title to the trade names
of the Business (and any related web sites) (including without limitation
and
)
and any
and all trade or service marks, patents, copyrights and other Intellectual
Property, regardless of whether protected with formal patents, trademarks or
the
like, customer and supplier lists, telephone numbers, plans (including
engineering plans and drawings), processes, technical know-how, research and
development data and the like used in the Business, manuals, documents, all
computer hardware and software relating to the Business, including systems
supporting documentation and program code, all books and records of every kind
or nature whatsoever regarding the Business, and all other assets, rights and
properties, operations and business of Seller, of every kind, nature, character,
description, tangible and intangible, real, personal and mixed, that are owned
by Seller and used in the Business;
(vi) Products,
Intellectual Property.
All
proprietary and intellectual property rights of Seller embodied in or associated
with the products listed on the Asset Schedule (the “Products”)
or the
Business and including all right, title and interest and to any and all
additional formulations, including without limitation:
A) All
intellectual property of Seller used in the Business, goodwill associated
therewith, licenses and sublicenses granted and obtained with respect thereto,
and rights thereunder, remedies against infringements thereof and rights to
protection of interests therein; and all intellectual property rights embodied
or disclosed in all inventions, patents, patent applications and rights to
file
patent applications owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by Seller
relating to the Business, together with all ancillary rights thereto, including
the right to xxx for damages by reason of past infringement of any such rights
including (i) the patents and patent applications listed on the Asset Schedule,
(ii) any patent application(s) filed as a continuation, division, or
continuation-in-part of the patent application(s) described in clause (i),
patents issuing therefrom and reissues, reexaminations and extensions of such
patents, (iii) any patent application(s) filed in respect of the inventions
that
are the subject of the invention disclosures described in clause (C) and (iv)
any foreign counterpart to the patent(s) and patent application(s) described
in
clauses (i)-(iii) (including divisions, continuations, confirmations, additions,
renewals or continuations-in-part of such patent applications), patents issuing
therefrom and extensions thereof) (collectively, the “Patents”);
and
all Internet domain names, Internet and World Wide Web URLs or addresses, and
related rights, related to the Acquired Assets or otherwise used in the
Business;
2
B) all
know-how, information, techniques, methodologies, modifications, improvements,
works of authorship, procedures, processes, designs and data (whether or not
protectable under patent, copyright, trade secrecy or similar laws) that: (i)
are conceived, discovered, developed, created or reduced to practice or tangible
medium of expression by Seller or any of Seller’s employees or consultants or
are developed or acquired (by ownership or by license) for use in the Business
at any time prior to the Closing Date and (ii) relate to or are used or useful
in the design, formulation, development, delivery, manufacture, testing or
use
of any of the Products or relating to the Business, together with all ancillary
rights thereto, including the right to xxx for damages by reason of past
infringement or misappropriation of any such rights (collectively, the
“Information”);
C) all
notebooks, records and other media embodying the Information, including, without
limitation, those relating to each Product, any and all additional formulations
for each Product, therapeutic and medicinal uses for each Product and all
regulatory files (including correspondence with regulatory authorities) for
each
Product, assays, test methods, batch records, analytical methods any master
files and studies in relation thereto for each Product, all prior versions
of
the Information and all other data, information and know-how, that has been
developed by or for Seller and is necessary or useful to manufacture
Products;
(vii) Copyrights.
All
copyrights relating to the Products or the Business (including without
limitation relating to the book The
7
Habits of Healthy Living);
(viii) Trademarks.
The
GreensFIRST, Red Alert, Red Fiber Plus, Herbal Cleanse, Alka Fizz, Dream
Protein, Complete Essentials, ReliefFIRST, ReliefFIRST Cream, Healthy Living
Kit, Meal Replacement Kit, Wellness Watchers International, Healthy Living
Program, Doctors For Living, and any other xxxx relating to any product or
service that Buyer may designate and that is included in the Business, and
all
trademark and service xxxx registrations for such marks, together with the
goodwill of the business associated with such marks and all other rights
appurtenant to such marks including, without limitation the registrations and
applications listed on the Asset Schedule (collectively, the “Trademarks”);
(ix) Marketing
Authorizations.
all
authorizations, registrations, filings, permits, licenses, franchises, orders,
approvals, concessions, consents and other regulatory approvals issued by any
national, supra-national, regional, state or local regulatory agency,
department, bureau, commission, council or other Governmental Authority,
including, without limitation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to Seller
or otherwise controlled by Seller (or any Affiliates) as required for (a) the
importation, marketing, promotion, pricing and sale of products relating to
the
Business or (b) a purchaser of such products relating to the Business to seek
reimbursement from private or public health insurance organizations, as well
as
all related regulatory filings (including all related
correspondence)(collectively, the “Marketing
Authorizations”);
3
(x) Data
Relating to Product Testing.
all
data, information, publications and other materials of Seller embodying or
relating to the clinical and non-clinical (including but not limited to in
vitro
and animal) testing of products relating to the Business performed by or on
behalf of Seller and field experience with products relating to the Business
that is necessary or useful for making regulatory filings for, or marketing
of,
such products;
(xi) Causes
of Action.
all of
Seller’s right, title and interest to claims and causes of action relating to
the Acquired Assets;
(xii) Other
Assets.
All
other assets of Seller employed in the conduct of the Business, whether real,
personal, tangible, intangible or mixed and whether or not reflected in the
Financial Statements or in the books or records of Seller, as may be set forth
on the Asset Schedule, including all books, records and files (including, to
the
extent permitted by law or if authorized by the effected employees, all
personnel files), rights under executory contracts and purchase and sale orders
to be assumed by Buyer hereunder (including all written contracts, orders and
arrangements between Seller and third parties existing at the Closing Date
for
the supply of goods and services for use in the Business), any prepaid expenses
to the extent properly assignable to Buyer and relating to periods subsequent
to
the Closing Date, permits and licenses to the extent transferable under law
and
all agreements for the lease of equipment, vehicles and office furniture listed
in the Asset Schedule.
(xiii) Other
Mutually Agreed-Upon Assets.
Such
other assets or categories of assets as Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree
in
writing.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, any Person which, directly or indirectly, controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. For
purposes of this definition, the term “control” as applied to any Person, means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management of that Person, whether through ownership of voting
securities or otherwise.
“Alternative
Transaction”
means
proposals or offers from any corporation, partnership, persons or group relating
to any Seller Acquisition Proposal or any acquisition, purchase or option to
purchase any of the business, any portion of the assets, or debt or equity
securities of Seller, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other
business combination of any kind involving Seller, or any other transaction
that
is incompatible with the Acquisition.
“Assumed
Liabilities”
means
those Liabilities of Seller that Buyer expressly agrees to assume as part of
the
Acquisition, including (i) direct obligations arising after the Closing Date
(and not related to actions or omissions of Seller before the Closing Date)
pursuant to the Assumed Contracts, and (ii), such other Liabilities as Buyer
may
set forth on Schedule
1.01(b)
hereto.
“Business”
means
the business of Seller (including both Vital Living, Inc. and the Subsidiaries)
concerning the development, marketing distribution and sale of food and
nutritional products and nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals
products.
4
“Buyer
Triggering Event”
shall
be deemed to have occurred if: (i) the Board of Directors of Seller shall for
any reason have withdrawn or shall have amended or modified in a manner adverse
to Buyer its recommendation in favor of the adoption and approval of this
Agreement and the Acquisition; (ii) Seller shall have failed to include in
the
Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Seller in favor
of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Acquisition; (iii) the
Board of Directors of Seller shall have approved or recommended any Seller
Acquisition Proposal; (iv) Seller shall have entered into any letter of intent
or similar document or any agreement, contract or commitment accepting any
Seller Acquisition Proposal; (v) a tender or exchange offer relating to
securities of Seller shall have been commenced by a person unaffiliated with
Buyer, and Seller shall not have sent to its security holders pursuant to Rule
14e-2 promulgated under the Securities Act, within ten (10) business days after
such tender or exchange offer is first published sent or given, a statement
that
Seller recommends rejection of such tender or exchange offer; or (vi) Seller
shall have breached in any material respect the terms of Section 4.07 hereof,
or
(vii) the stockholders of Seller shall have failed to approve the
Agreement.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Contracts”
means
all contracts, agreements, leases, licenses, commitments, sales and purchase
orders, and other arrangements or instruments relating to the Business or any
other Acquired Asset, whether written or oral.
“Encumbrance”
means
any lien (statutory or otherwise), claim, charge, option, security interest,
pledge, mortgage, restriction, easement, financing statement or similar
encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale
or
other title retention agreement and any lease having substantially the same
effect as any of the foregoing and any assignment or deposit arrangement in
the
nature of a security device).
“Exchange
Act”
means
the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Excluded
Assets”
shall
mean all
assets of Seller other than the Acquired Assets, including any (i) cash and
accounts receivable of Seller relating to the Business, (ii) qualifications
to
transact business as a foreign corporation, arrangements with registered agents
relating to foreign qualifications, taxpayer and other identification numbers,
seals, minute books, stock transfer books, and other documents relating to
the
organization, maintenance, and existence of Seller as a corporation, (iii)
all
directors’ and officers’ insurance policies, and refunds paid or payable in
connection with the cancellation or discontinuance of any such insurance
policies, (iv) cash and cash equivalents of Seller, (v) raw materials unless
specifically listed in the Asset Schedule, and (vi) any other asset relating
to
the Business that Buyer designates as Excluded Assets before the Closing Date.
Excluded Assets also includes all leases of real property, if there are any
such
leases, to which Seller is a party or is otherwise bound, unless Buyer expressly
includes such leases in the Acquired Assets.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any national, state, or local, legislature, governmental agency, governmental
body, administrative agency, court or commission or other governmental authority
or instrumentality.
5
"Governmental
Liabilities"
shall
include all claims, demands, losses, fees, fines, penalties, taxes, interest
and
other Liabilities owed to any Governmental Authority.
“Indemnifiable
Event”
means
(A) any breach of a covenant or inaccuracy or untruth of a representation
or warranty of Seller in this Agreement, (B) taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges arising from Seller's business through the Closing Date,
(C) any claim alleging liability against Seller or Buyer for any act or
omission of Seller or its directors, officers or employees or circumstance
relating to Seller's business arising before the Closing Date or the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement, (D) any claim of infringement
or violation of the intellectual property rights of a third party or failure
of
Seller to be the owner of the Acquired Assets without any liens or other
Encumbrances or otherwise to have good title to the Acquired Assets,
(E) any claim or cause of action alleging liability related to any past
agreement with any of Seller's employees or independent contractors or, any
agreement between Seller and any third party relating to the Acquired Assets,
(F) any claim or cause of action by or on behalf of a creditor of Seller
asserting liability against Buyer, as purchaser of the Acquired Assets, or
seeking to impose any lien or any other Encumbrance upon any of the Acquired
Assets, for obligations of Seller, (G) any noncompliance with any applicable
bulk sales or similar laws, (H) any expenses in excess of $5,000 that are
incurred by Buyer to obtain consents of third parties to assignment or transfer
of the Acquired Assets, (I) any fees, expenses or other payments incurred or
owed by Seller to any brokers, financial advisors or comparable other Persons
retained or employed by it in connection with the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, or (J) any Retained Liability.
“Intellectual
Property”
means
any or all of the following and all rights in, arising out of, or associated
therewith, relating to the Business or any Acquired Asset: (i) all United
States, international and foreign patents and applications therefor and all
reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and
continuations-in-part thereof; (ii) all inventions (whether patentable or
not), invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets, proprietary
information, know how, technology, technical data and customer lists, and all
documentation relating to any of the foregoing; (iii) all copyrights,
copyrights registrations and applications therefor, and all other rights
corresponding thereto throughout the world; (iv) all industrial designs and
any registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; (v) all trade
names, logos, common law trademarks and service marks, trademark and service
xxxx registrations and applications therefor throughout the world and all
Internet domain names, Internet and World Wide Web URLs or addresses, associated
with the Business, the Products or other Acquired Assets; (vi) all
databases and data collections and all rights therein throughout the world;
(vii) all moral and economic rights of authors and inventors, however
denominated, throughout the world, and (viii) any similar or equivalent
rights to any of the foregoing anywhere in the world.
“Knowledge”
means
(i) with respect to Seller, the actual knowledge of any officer of Seller after
due inquiry, and (ii) with respect to Buyer, the actual knowledge of any officer
of Buyer after due inquiry.
“Law”
or
“Laws”
means
any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule,
code, order, judgment, decree or other requirement of law.
6
“Liability”
or
“Liabilities”
means
any and all debts, liabilities and obligations of any type or nature whatsoever,
whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured,
determined or determinable, including, without limitation, those arising under
any Law, Action or governmental order and those arising under any contract,
agreement, arrangement, commitment or undertaking.
"Loss"
shall
mean any liability, injury, damage, expense, cost, fine or penalty resulting
from any action, proceeding, demand, assessment, judgment or award (including
without limitation costs of investigation, prosecution, defense or settlement),
including attorneys fees, costs and expenses related thereto.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
when
used with reference to an entity, the Acquired Assets or the Business means
(i)
any change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect that is
materially adverse to the business, assets (including intangible assets),
capitalization, financial condition or results of operations of such entity,
assets or business and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the commencement
of any voluntary insolvency proceedings involving Seller, or any involuntary
insolvency proceeding filed against Seller that is not discharged, dismissed
or
terminated within sixty (60) days after commencement, (iii) the commencement
or
initiation of any plan of arrangement with, assignment for the benefit of,
or
similar agreement with Seller’s creditors whether or not involving any judicial
proceedings, or (iv) circumstance, change or event that materially impairs
Buyer’s ability to utilize the Acquired Assets in substantially the same manner
as Seller before the date of this Agreement (excluding any effect on Buyer’s
ability to do so by virtue of facts and circumstances unique to Buyer);
provided, however, that in no event shall (i) a decrease in such entity’s
stock price by itself constitute a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any
change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect that results from
(A) the public announcement or pendency of the Acquisition and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, (B) changes generally affecting the
industry in which such entity currently operates or conducts business, or (C)
changes generally affecting the United States economy, constitute a Material
Adverse Effect.
“Person”
means
any individual, group, corporation, partnership or other organization or entity
(including any Governmental Authority).
“Retained
Liabilities”
means
the following Liabilities of Seller: (a) all Liabilities for any actions or
omissions by Seller or any of Seller’s directors, officers or employees, either
before or after the Closing Date; (b) all Liabilities relating to any Assumed
Contract or any other agreement to which Seller is a party relating to periods
before the Closing Date; (c) all Liabilities which are unrelated to the Acquired
Assets or the Business to be acquired by Buyer pursuant hereto, including,
without limitation, all Liabilities to shareholders of Seller; (d) any trade
payable, debt to, or loan or line of credit from, any Person; (e) except as
may
be separately agreed to in writing by Buyer and Seller, any accrued and unpaid
salaries and wages, vacation pay, sick pay, and/or paid time off of any
employee, officer, partner, and/or director of Seller, and/or any employee
benefit plan accruals of any kind; (f) any Governmental Liability; (g) except
as
may be separately agreed to in writing by Buyer and Seller, any of Seller's
employee plans and agreements and/or any Liability of any kind related thereto;
(h) all Liabilities of Seller under this Agreement or any other certificate,
instrument or other agreement entered into in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby; (i) all Liabilities of Seller or any successor thereto
for
any breach of this Agreement by Seller, or any representation or warranty of
Seller contained herein; (j) any liability for any and all Taxes relating to
the
periods before the Closing Date; (k) any liability under any currently pending
or past Proceedings; (l) any Liability for personal injury or property damage
that relates to the Business occurring on or prior to the Closing Date; (m)
any
Liability under products liability, strict liability, or express or implied
warranty claims relating to services or products sold by Seller; (n) any risk
of
loss to any of the Acquired Assets on or before the Closing Date; (o) any
Liability of Seller for any expenses relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby; (p) except as may be separately agreed to
in
writing by Buyer and Seller, any Liability, responsibility or obligations to
any
employee of Seller, including without limitation, in connection with employment
agreements or employment arrangements, compensation or compensation plans,
benefit plans, options or equity plans, severance or termination pay, insurance
or other employment related costs relating to Seller or its employees; or (q)
any other Liability of Seller arising out of the conduct of Seller's business
or
the Acquired Assets before the Closing Date.
0
“XXX”
xxxxx
xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities
Act”
means
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Subsidiaries”
means
any corporation, limited liability company, general or limited partnership,
joint venture, business trust, unincorporated association or other business
enterprise or entity controlled by Seller, directly or indirectly through one
or
more intermediaries, including without limitation Doctors For Nutrition, Inc.;
MAF Bionutritionals, LLC; Nature’s System, Inc.; E-Nutraceuticals, Inc; N-Fat,
Inc.; and Wellness Watchers Systems LLC.
“Seller
Acquisition Proposal”
means
any offer or proposal (other than an offer or proposal by Buyer) relating to
any
Seller Acquisition Transaction.
“Seller
Acquisition Transaction”
means
any transaction or series of related transactions (other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement) involving: (A) any acquisition or purchase
from
Seller or any of its affiliates by any person or “group” (as defined under
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder) of ten percent (10%) or more in interest of the total outstanding
voting securities of Seller, or any tender offer or exchange offer that if
consummated would result in any person or “group” (as defined under Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder)
beneficially owning ten percent (10%) or more in interest of the total
outstanding voting securities of Seller, or any merger, consolidation, business
combination or similar transaction of Seller or any of Seller’s affiliates with
or into another entity pursuant to which the stockholders of Seller immediately
preceding such transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the equity
interests in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction; or (B)
any
sale, lease (other than in the ordinary course of business), exchange, transfer,
license (other than in the ordinary course of business), acquisition or
disposition of five percent (5%) or more of the Acquired Assets.
“Superior
Offer ”
shall
mean an unsolicited, bona fide written offer made by an unrelated third party
to
consummate any of the following transactions: (i) a merger, consolidation,
business combination, recapitalization, or similar transaction involving Seller,
pursuant to which the stockholders of Seller immediately preceding such
transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the equity interest in the
surviving, resulting or acquiring entity of such transaction; (ii) a sale or
other disposition by Seller of all or substantially all of the Acquired Assets,
or (iii) the acquisition by any person or group (including by way of a tender
offer or an exchange offer or issuance by Seller), directly or indirectly,
of
beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of shares
representing in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the then
outstanding shares of capital stock of Seller, in each of the above cases on
terms that the Board of Directors of Seller determines, in its reasonable
judgment after written advice from its financial advisors, to be more favorable
to the Seller stockholders from a financial point of view than the terms of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that any such
offer shall not be deemed to be a “Superior
Offer ”
if
any
financing required to consummate the transaction contemplated by such offer
is
not committed and is not likely in the judgment of the Board of Directors of
Seller to be obtained by such third party on a timely basis.
8
“Tax”
or
“Taxes”
means
any and all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges, duties, impositions and liabilities relating to taxes,
including taxes based upon or measured by gross receipts, income, profits,
sales, use and occupation, and value added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise,
withholding, payroll, recapture, employment, excise and property taxes, together
with all interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such amounts
and any obligations under any agreements or arrangements with any other person
with respect to such amounts and including any liability for taxes of a
predecessor entity.
“Third
Party”
means
a
Person who or which is neither a party nor an Affiliate of a party.
“Treasury
Regulations”
means
the Treasury Regulations (including Temporary Regulations) promulgated by the
United States Department of Treasury with respect to the Code or other federal
tax statutes.
(b) The
following terms have the meanings set forth in the Sections set forth
below:
Term
|
Section
|
|
Acquired
Assets
|
1.01(a)
|
|
Acquisition
|
1.01
|
|
Agreement
|
Preamble
|
|
Agreement
Date
|
Preamble
|
|
Asset
Schedule
|
1.01(a)
|
|
Assumed
Contracts
|
1.02(a)
|
|
Buyer
|
Preamble
|
|
Buyer
Triggering Event
|
6.01(h)
|
|
Closing
|
1.02(a)
|
|
Closing
Date
Closing
Payment
|
1.02(a)
1.2(c)
|
|
Collateral
Agreements
|
1.02(b)
|
|
Confidentiality
Agreement
|
4.06
|
|
Excluded
Assets
|
1.01(b)
|
|
Information
|
1.01(a)
|
|
Losses
|
7.02(a)
|
|
Notes
|
1.02(b)
|
|
Proxy
Statement
|
4.04(a)
|
|
Purchase
Price
|
1.03(d)
|
|
Seller
|
Preamble
|
|
Seller
Acquisition Proposal
|
4.07(b)
|
|
Seller
Acquisition Transaction
|
4.07(b)
|
|
Seller
Stockholders’ Meeting
|
4.04(a)
|
|
Seller
Triggering Event
|
6.01(g)
|
|
Senior
Securities
|
1.02(b)
|
9
(c) In
the
event of an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this
Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party
by
virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.
(d) The
definitions of the terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural
forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words
“include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the
phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same
meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise
(A) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other
document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument
or
other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
(subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications
set forth herein); (B) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed
to
include the Person’s successors and assigns; (C) the words “herein”, “hereof”
and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to
this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof;
and
(D) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules shall
be
construed to refer to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this
Agreement.
10