Exhibit 4.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of July 12,
2002, by and among e resources inc, a Utah corporation with its headquarters
located at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 (the "Company"), and
each of the undersigned (together with their respective affiliates and any
assignee or transferee of all of their respective rights hereunder, the "Initial
Investors").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the
parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), the
Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained
therein, to issue and sell to the Initial Investors (i) convertible debentures
in the aggregate principal amount up to Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000)
(the "Debentures") that are convertible into shares of the Company's common
stock (the "Common Stock"), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and
conditions set forth in such Debentures and (ii) warrants (the "Warrants") to
acquire up to an aggregate of One Million Four Hundred Thousand (1,400,000)
shares of Common Stock, upon the terms and conditions and subject to the
limitations and conditions set forth in the Warrants dated July 12, 2002; and
B. To induce the Initial Investors to execute and deliver the Securities
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration
rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 Act"), and applicable state securities laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the
Initial Investors hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
a. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(i) "Investors" means the Initial Investors and any transferee or
assignee who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in
accordance with Section 9 hereof.
(ii) "register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement or
Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the
1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous
basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
Registration Statement by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC").
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(iii) "Registrable Securities" means the Conversion Shares issued or
issuable upon conversion or otherwise pursuant to the Debentures and the
Additional Debentures (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)
(including, without limitation, Damages Shares (as defined in the Debentures))
issued or issuable pursuant to the Debentures, shares of Common Stock issued or
issuable in payment of the Standard Liquidated Damages Amount (as defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement), shares issued or issuable in respect of interest
or in redemption of the Debentures (in accordance with the terms thereof) and
Warrant Shares issuable, upon exercise or otherwise pursuant to the Warrants and
Additional Warrants (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), and any
shares of capital stock issued or issuable as a dividend on or in exchange for
or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing.
(iv) "Registration Statement" means a registration statement of the
Company under the 0000 Xxx.
b. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement or
the Convertible Debenture.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, on or prior to
thirty (30) days from the date of Closing (as defined in the Securities Purchase
Agreement) (the "Filing Date"), file with the SEC a Registration Statement on
Form SB-2 or S-3 (or, if SB-2 or Form S-3 is not then available, on such form of
Registration Statement as is then available to effect a registration of the
Registrable Securities, subject to the consent of the Initial Investors, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld) covering the resale of the
Registrable Securities underlying the Debentures and Warrants issued or issuable
pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, which Registration Statement, to
the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), shall state that such Registration
Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common
Stock as may become issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the
Debentures and exercise of the Warrants to prevent dilution resulting from stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The number of shares of Common
Stock initially included in such Registration Statement shall be no less than an
amount equal to two (2) times the sum of the number of Conversion Shares that
are then issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and Additional Debentures
(based on the Variable Conversion Price as would then be in effect and assuming
the Variable Conversion Price is the Conversion Price at such time) and the
number of Warrant Shares that are then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants,
without regard to any limitation on the Investor's ability to convert the
Debentures or exercise the Warrants. The Company acknowledges that the number of
shares initially included in the Registration Statement represents a good faith
estimate of the maximum number of shares issuable upon conversion of the
Debentures and upon exercise of the Warrants.
b. Underwritten Offering. If any offering pursuant to a Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof involves an underwritten offering, the
Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities subject
to such underwritten offering, with the consent of a majority-in-interest of the
Initial Investors, shall have the right to select one legal counsel and an
investment banker or bankers and manager or managers to administer the offering,
which investment banker or bankers or manager or managers shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Company.
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c. Payments by the Company. The Company shall use its best efforts to
obtain effectiveness of the Registration Statement as soon as practicable. If
(i) the Registration Statement(s) covering the Registrable Securities required
to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof is not filed by the
Filing Date or declared effective by the SEC on or prior to ninety (90) days
from the date of Closing, or (ii) after the Registration Statement has been
declared effective by the SEC, sales of all of the Registrable Securities cannot
be made pursuant to the Registration Statement, or (iii) the Common Stock is not
listed or included for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq"), the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market ("Nasdaq SmallCap"), the New York Stock Exchange (the
"NYSE") or the American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") after being so listed or
included for quotation, or (iv) the Common Stock ceases to be traded on the
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (the "OTCBB") or any equivalent replacement
exchange prior to being listed or included for quotation on one of the
aforementioned markets, then the Company will make payments to the Investors in
such amounts and at such times as shall be determined pursuant to this Section
2(c) as partial relief for the damages to the Investors by reason of any such
delay in or reduction of their ability to sell the Registrable Securities (which
remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in
equity). The Company shall pay to each holder of the Debentures or Registrable
Securities an amount equal to the then outstanding principal amount of the
Debentures (and, in the case of holders of Registrable Securities, the principal
amount of Debentures from which such Registrable Securities were converted)
("Outstanding Principal Amount"), multiplied by the Applicable Percentage (as
defined below) times the sum of: (i) the number of months (prorated for partial
months) after the Filing Date or the end of the aforementioned ninety (90) day
period and prior to the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by
the SEC, provided, however, that there shall be excluded from such period any
delays which are solely attributable to changes required by the Investors in the
Registration Statement with respect to information relating to the Investors,
including, without limitation, changes to the plan of distribution, or to the
failure of the Investors to conduct their review of the Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 3(h) below in a reasonably prompt manner; (ii) the number of
months (prorated for partial months) that sales of all of the Registrable
Securities cannot be made pursuant to the Registration Statement after the
Registration Statement has been declared effective (including, without
limitation, when sales cannot be made by reason of the Company's failure to
properly supplement or amend the prospectus included therein in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, but excluding any days during an Allowed Delay (as
defined in Section 3(f)); and (iii) the number of months (prorated for partial
months) that the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the
OTCBB, Nasdaq, Nasdaq SmallCap, NYSE or AMEX or that trading thereon is halted
after the Registration Statement has been declared effective. The term
"Applicable Percentage" means two hundredths (.02). (For example, if the
Registration Statement becomes effective one (1) month after the end of the
aforementioned such thirty-day period, the Company would pay $2,000 for each
$100,000 of Outstanding Principal Amount. If thereafter, sales could not be made
pursuant to the Registration Statement for an additional period of one (1)
month, the Company would pay an additional $2,000 for each $100,000 of
Outstanding Principal Amount.) Such amounts shall be paid in cash or, at each
Investor's option, in shares of Common Stock priced at the Conversion Price (as
defined in the Debentures) on such payment date.
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d. Piggy-Back Registrations. Subject to the last sentence of this Section
2(d), if at any time prior to the expiration of the Registration Period (as
hereinafter defined) the Company shall determine to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the
account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its equity securities (other than
on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalents relating to equity securities
to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business
or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee
benefit plans), the Company shall send to each Investor who is entitled to
registration rights under this Section 2(d) written notice of such determination
and, if within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of such notice, such
Investor shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such
Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities such
Investor requests to be registered, except that if, in connection with any
underwritten public offering for the account of the Company the managing
underwriter(s) thereof shall impose a limitation on the number of shares of
Common Stock which may be included in the Registration Statement because, in
such underwriter(s)' judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such
limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company
shall be obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited
portion of the Registrable Securities with respect to which such Investor has
requested inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall permit. Any exclusion of
Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Investors seeking to
include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable
Securities sought to be included by such Investors; provided, however, that the
Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the Company has
first excluded all outstanding securities, the holders of which are not entitled
to inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not
entitled to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities; and provided,
further, however, that, after giving effect to the immediately preceding
proviso, any exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata with
holders of other securities having the right to include such securities in the
Registration Statement other than holders of securities entitled to inclusion of
their securities in such Registration Statement by reason of demand registration
rights. No right to registration of Registrable Securities under this Section
2(d) shall be construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a)
hereof. If an offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to
registration under this Section 2(d) is an underwritten offering, then each
Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such
Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or
underwriters and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms
and conditions as other shares of Common Stock included in such underwritten
offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the
registration rights of the Investors pursuant to this Section 2(d) shall only be
available in the event the Company fails to timely file, obtain effectiveness or
maintain effectiveness of any Registration Statement to be filed pursuant to
Section 2(a) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
e. Eligibility for Form X-0, XX-0 or S-1: Conversion to Form S-3. The
Company represents and warrants that it meets the requirements for the use of
Form X-0, XX-0 or S-1 for registration of the sale by the Initial Investors and
any other Investors of the Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to file
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all reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely manner
so as to remain eligible or become eligible, as the case may be, and thereafter
to maintain its eligibility, for the use of Form S-3. If the Company is not
currently eligible to use Form S-3, not later than five (5) business days after
the Company first meets the registration eligibility and transaction
requirements for the use of Form S-3 (or any successor form) for registration of
the offer and sale by the Initial Investors and any other Investors of
Registrable Securities, the Company shall file a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (or such successor form) with respect to the Registrable Securities covered
by the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 or Form S-1, whichever is applicable,
filed pursuant to Section 2(a) (and include in such Registration Statement on
Form S-3 the information required by Rule 429 under the 0000 Xxx) or convert the
Registration Statement on Form SB-2 or Form S-1, whichever is applicable, filed
pursuant to Section 2(a) to a Form S-3 pursuant to Rule 429 under the 1933 Act
and cause such Registration Statement (or such amendment) to be declared
effective no later than forty-five (45) days after filing. In the event of a
breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 2(e), the Company will
be required to make payments pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall prepare promptly, and file with the SEC not later
than the Filing Date, a Registration Statement with respect to the number of
Registrable Securities provided in Section 2(a), and thereafter use its best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to Registrable Securities
to become effective as soon as possible after such filing but in no event later
than ninety (90) days from the date of Closing), and keep the Registration
Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until such date as is the
earlier of (i) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities have been
sold and (ii) the date on which the Registrable Securities (in the opinion of
counsel to the Initial Investors) may be immediately sold to the public without
registration or restriction (including without limitation as to volume by each
holder thereof) under the 1933 Act (the "Registration Period"), which
Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and
prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration
Statements and the prospectus used in connection with the Registration
Statements as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statements effective at
all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with
the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all
Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statements
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in
accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers
thereof as set forth in the Registration Statements. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities issued or issuable
upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants, the Company
shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on
the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all
of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any
event within fifteen (15) business days after the necessity therefor arises
(based on the market price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on
which the Company reasonably elects to rely). The Company shall use its best
efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof, but in any event
within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Company reasonably first
determines (or reasonably should have determined) the need therefor. The
provisions of Section 2(c) above shall be applicable with respect to such
obligation, with the ninety (90) days running from the day the Company
reasonably first determines (or reasonably should have determined) the need
therefor.
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c. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in a Registration Statement and its legal counsel (i)
promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business days) after the same is
prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the
Company one copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each
preliminary prospectus and prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto,
and, in the case of the Registration Statement referred to in Section 2(a), each
letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the
SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC, in
each case relating to such Registration Statement (other than any portion of any
thereof which contains information for which the Company has sought confidential
treatment), and (ii) promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business days)
after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, such number
of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all
amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents as such Investor may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Investor. The Company will immediately notify each
Investor by facsimile of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment. The Company will promptly (but in no event more than
five (5) business days) respond to any and all comments received from the SEC
(which comments shall promptly be made available to the Investors upon request),
with a view towards causing each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, shall promptly file
an acceleration request as soon as practicable (but in no event more than two
(2) business days) following the resolution or clearance of all SEC comments or,
if applicable, following notification by the SEC that any such Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto will not be subject to review and shall
promptly file with the SEC a final prospectus as soon as practicable (but in no
event more than two (2) business days) following receipt by the Company from the
SEC of an order declaring the Registration Statement effective. In the event of
a breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 3(c), the Company will
be required to make payments pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof.
d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify
the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statements under such
other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United States
as the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities
being offered reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions
such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such
registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the
effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other
actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in
effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other
actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities
for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (a) qualify to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify
but for this Section 3(d), (b) subject itself to general taxation in any such
jurisdiction, (c) file a general consent to service of process in any such
jurisdiction, (d) provide any undertakings that cause the Company undue expense
or burden, or (e) make any change in its charter or bylaws, which in each case
the Board of Directors of the Company determines to be contrary to the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders.
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e. In the event Investors who hold a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities being offered in the offering (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors) select underwriters for the
offering, the Company shall enter into and perform its obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
underwriters of such offering.
f. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the
Company shall notify each Investor of the happening of any event, of which the
Company has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in any
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and use its best
efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to any Registration
Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver such number
of copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor as such Investor may
reasonably request; provided that, for not more than ten (10) consecutive
trading days (or a total of not more than twenty (20) trading days in any twelve
(12) month period), the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public
information concerning the Company (as well as prospectus or Registration
Statement updating) the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good
faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the Company (an "Allowed
Delay"); provided, further, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the
Investors in writing of the existence of (but in no event, without the prior
written consent of an Investor, shall the Company disclose to such investor any
of the facts or circumstances regarding) material non-public information giving
rise to an Allowed Delay and (ii) advise the Investors in writing to cease all
sales under such Registration Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay. Upon
expiration of the Allowed Delay, the Company shall again be bound by the first
sentence of this Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise
thereto.
g. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any
stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any Registration Statement,
and, if such an order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the
earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who holds Registrable
Securities being sold (or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the
managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof.
h. The Company shall permit a single firm of counsel designated by the
Initial Investors to review such Registration Statement and all amendments and
supplements thereto (as well as all requests for acceleration or effectiveness
thereof) a reasonable period of time prior to their filing with the SEC, and not
file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably objects and will
not request acceleration of such Registration Statement without prior notice to
such counsel. The sections of such Registration Statement covering information
with respect to the Investors, the Investor's beneficial ownership of securities
of the Company or the Investors intended method of disposition of Registrable
Securities shall conform to the information provided to the Company by each of
the Investors.
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i. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as
soon as practicable, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the
period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the
provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month period
beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next
following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
j. At the request of any Investor, the Company shall furnish, on the date
that Registrable Securities are delivered to an underwriter, if any, for sale in
connection with any Registration Statement or, if such securities are not being
sold by an underwriter, on the date of effectiveness thereof (i) an opinion,
dated as of such date, from counsel representing the Company for purposes of
such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily
given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any,
and the Investors and (ii) a letter, dated such date, from the Company's
independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily
given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an
underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and the
Investors.
k. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any Investor,
(ii) any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration
Statement, (iii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants or other
agents retained by the Initial Investors, (iv) one firm of attorneys and one
firm of accountants or other agents retained by all other Investors, and (v) one
firm of attorneys retained by all such underwriters (collectively, the
"Inspectors") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company, including, without limitation, records
of conversions by holders of convertible securities issued by the Company and
the issuance of stock to such holders pursuant to the conversions (collectively,
the "Records"), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector to
enable each Inspector to exercise its due diligence responsibility, and cause
the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which
any Inspector may reasonably request for purposes of such due diligence;
provided, however, that each Inspector shall hold in confidence and shall not
make any disclosure (except to an Investor) of any Record or other information
which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which
determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such
Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any
Registration Statement, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a
subpoena or other order from a court or government body of competent
jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally
available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any
other agreement. The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential
information in such Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector
shall have entered into confidentiality agreements (in form and substance
satisfactory to the Company) with the Company with respect thereto,
substantially in the form of this Section 3(k). Each Investor agrees that it
shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court
or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give
prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order
for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other
confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed
to limit the Investor's ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which
is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
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l. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of
information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure
of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities
laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a
misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of
such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court
or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has
been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in
violation of this or any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon
learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in
or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other
means, give prompt notice to such Investor prior to making such disclosure, and
allow the Investor, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
m. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities covered by
the Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities exchange on
which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then
listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted
under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) to the extent the securities of the
same class or series are not then listed on a national securities exchange,
secure the designation and quotation, of all the Registrable Securities covered
by the Registration Statement on Nasdaq or, if not eligible for Nasdaq, on
Nasdaq SmallCap or, if not eligible for Nasdaq or Nasdaq SmallCap, on the OTCBB
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least
two market makers to register with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities.
n. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar, which may be
a single entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the effective
date of the Registration Statement.
o. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable
Securities being offered and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any,
to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing
any restrictive legends) representing Registrable Securities to be offered
pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such
denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or the Investors may reasonably request and registered in
such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Investors
may request, and, within three (3) business days after a Registration Statement
which includes Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the
Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel selected by the Company to
deliver, to the transfer agent for the Registrable Securities (with copies to
the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) an instruction in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and an
opinion of such counsel in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2.
p. At the request of the holders of a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and any prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement.
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q. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, and
shall not agree to, allow the holders of any securities of the Company to
include any of their securities in any Registration Statement under Section 2(a)
hereof or any amendment or supplement thereto under Section 3(b) hereof without
the consent of the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable
Securities.
r. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Investors shall have the following obligations:
a. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to
complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the
Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish
to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities
held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities
held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such
Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such
registration as the Company may reasonably request. At least three (3) business
days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement,
the Company shall notify each Investor of the information the Company requires
from each such Investor.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statements hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing
of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from the Registration Statements.
c. In the event Investors holding a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities being registered (with the approval of the Initial
Investors) determine to engage the services of an underwriter, each Investor
agrees to enter into and perform such Investor's obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
managing underwriter of such offering and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing
of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
d. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company
of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or 3(g),
such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities
until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or 3(g) and, if so directed by the
Company, such Investor shall deliver to the Company (at the expense of the
Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction)
all copies in such Investor's possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
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e. No Investor may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder
unless such Investor (i) agrees to sell such Investor's Registrable Securities
on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in usual and customary
form entered into by the Company, (ii) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of all underwriting
discounts and commissions and any expenses in excess of those payable by the
Company pursuant to Section 5 below.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions,
incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualification fees, printers and accounting fees, the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one
counsel selected by the Initial Investors pursuant to Sections 2(b) and 3(h)
hereof shall be borne by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify, hold
harmless and defend (i) each Investor who holds such Registrable Securities,
(ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and each person who
controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), if any, (iii) any underwriter
(as defined in the 0000 Xxx) for the Investors, and (iv) the directors,
officers, partners, employees and each person who controls any such underwriter
within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, if any (each, an
"Indemnified Person"), against any joint or several losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (collectively, together with actions, proceedings or
inquiries by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization, whether commenced
or threatened, in respect thereof, "Claims") to which any of them may become
subject insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration
Statement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date
of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended
or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any
material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading;
11
or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities
law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the
Registrable Securities (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii)
being, collectively, "Violations"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall
reimburse the Indemnified Person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are
due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Indemnified Person
or underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with
the preparation of such Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company
pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof; (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and
(iii) with respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit
of any Indemnified Person if the untrue statement or omission of material fact
contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, such corrected prospectus was
timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof, and the
Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect
prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a Violation and such Indemnified
Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it. Such indemnity shall remain in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable
Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is
participating, each such Investor agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify,
hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner set forth in
Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs
the Registration Statement, each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, any underwriter and any other
shareholder selling securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or any of
its directors or officers or any person who controls such shareholder or
underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (collectively and
together with an Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified Party"), against any Claim
to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or
otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out of or is based upon any Violation by
such Investor, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with
such Registration Statement; and subject to Section 6(c) such Investor will
reimburse any legal or other expenses (promptly as such expenses are incurred
and are due and payable) reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this
Agreement (including this Section 6(b) and Section 7) for only that amount as
does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or
omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected
on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented.
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c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any
governmental action), such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a
Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this
Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the
commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to
participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the
defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and
the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided,
however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to
retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying
party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying
party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or
Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to
actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or
Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such
proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one separate legal counsel
for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such
legal counsel shall be selected by Investors holding a majority-in-interest of
the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the
Claim relates (with the approval of a majority-in-interest of the Initial
Investors), if the Investors are entitled to indemnification hereunder, or the
Company, if the Company is entitled to indemnification hereunder, as applicable.
The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a
reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is
actually prejudiced in its ability to defend such action. The indemnification
required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount
thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as such expense,
loss, damage or liability is incurred and is due and payable.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or
limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution
with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section
6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that (i) no
contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have
been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section
6, (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be
entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (iii) contribution (together
with any indemnification or other obligations under this Agreement) by any
seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of
proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
13
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144
promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the
SEC that may at any time permit the investors to sell securities of the Company
to the public without registration ("Rule 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents
required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the
Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing
herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that
it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and
the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the
Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii)
such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to
sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the
Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable Securities if:
(i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign
such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a
reasonable time after such assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable
time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the
name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned,
(iii) following such transfer or assignment, the further disposition of such
securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and
applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence, the
transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of
the provisions contained herein, (v) such transfer shall have been made in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase
Agreement, and (vi) such transferee shall be an "accredited investor" as that
term defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act.
14
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively), only with written consent of the Company, each of the Initial
Investors (to the extent such Initial Investor still owns Registrable
Securities) and Investors who hold a majority interest of the Registrable
Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10
shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities
whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable Securities. If
the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or
more persons or entities with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the
Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received
from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices required or permitted to be given under the terms hereof
shall be sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) or
delivered personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery
service) or by facsimile and shall be effective five days after being placed in
the mail, if mailed by regular United States mail, or upon receipt, if delivered
personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery service) or
by facsimile, in each case addressed to a party. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
e resources inc
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
With copy to:
Xxxx X'Xxxxx, Esquire
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, P.C.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
If to an Investor: to the address set forth immediately below such Investor's
name on the signature pages to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
15
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, LLP
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Email: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ENFORCED, GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE
AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES
OF CONFLICT OF LAWS. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED NEW YORK, NEW YORK WITH
RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO
IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. BOTH
PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE
MAINTENANCE OF SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING. BOTH PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT SERVICE
OF PROCESS UPON A PARTY MAILED BY FIRST CLASS MAIL SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY
RESPECT EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON THE PARTY IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR
PROCEEDING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT EITHER PARTY'S RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW. BOTH PARTIES AGREE THAT A FINAL
NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND
MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON SUCH JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER
LAWFUL MANNER. THE PARTY WHICH DOES NOT PREVAIL IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING
ATTORNEYS' FEES, INCURRED BY THE PREVAILING PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH
DISPUTE.
e. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or
unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision
shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and
shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any
provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
f. This Agreement, the Warrants and the Securities Purchase Agreement
(including all schedules and exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than
those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement and the
Securities Purchase Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
16
g. Subject to the requirements of Section 9 hereof, this Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and
assigns.
h. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
i. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by
each party and delivered to the other party. This Agreement, once executed by a
party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a
copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this
Agreement.
j. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed,
all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other
agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may
reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
k. Except as otherwise provided herein, all consents and other
determinations to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, determined
as if the all of the Debentures then outstanding have been converted into for
Registrable Securities.
l. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations
hereunder will cause irreparable harm to each Investor by vitiating the intent
and purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Company
acknowledges that the remedy at law for breach of its obligations under this
Agreement will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened
breach by the Company of any of the provisions under this Agreement, that each
Investor shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies in law
or in equity, and in addition to the penalties assessable herein, to an
injunction or injunctions restraining, preventing or curing any breach of this
Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without
the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security
being required.
m. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language
chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict
construction will be applied against any party.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the undersigned Initial Investors have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
e resources inc
--------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Brand
Chief Executive Officer
AJW PARTNERS, LLC
By: SMS Group, LLC
--------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Manager
AJW/NEW MILLENNIUM OFFSHORE, LTD.
By: First Street Manager II, LLC
--------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Manager
PEGASUS CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
By: Pegasus Manager, LLC
------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Manager
18
