MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP LETTERHEAD]
EXHIBIT 8.1
[XXXXXX, XXXXX & XXXXXXX LLP LETTERHEAD]
February 7, 2008
JAG Media Holdings, Inc.
0000 XX 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X-00
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
0000 XX 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X-00
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Cryptometrics, Inc.
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 27, 2005 by and among JAG Media
Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Parent”), Cryptometrics Acquisition, Inc. a Delaware
corporation (“Merger Sub”), Cryptometrics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and certain
other persons, as amended by the amendments thereto dated
January 24, 2007, February 26, 2007, April 2, 2007,
April 20, 2007, May 11, 2007, May 18, 2007, June 15,
2007, July 16, 2007, August 16, 2007, November 7,
2007 and February 6, 2008 (as so amended, the “Agreement”), Merger Sub is to merge with and into the Company with the Company
surviving (the “Merger”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this opinion have the
meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
You have requested our opinion regarding certain federal income tax consequences of the Merger
(together with certain related transactions). As such, and for the purpose of rendering our
opinion, we have examined and are relying upon (without any independent investigation or review
thereof) the truth and accuracy, at all relevant times, of the statements, covenants,
representations and warranties contained in the following documents (the “Documents”):
1. | The Agreement; | |
2. | The registration statement of Parent on Form S-4 (No. 333-147883) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Parent Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of the Company in connection with the Merger (the “Registration Statement”) and the consent solicitation/prospectus included the Registration Statement (the “Consent Solicitation/Prospectus”); | |
3. | The representations as to factual matters made to us by Parent in its letter to us dated February 7, 2008 (the “Parent Tax Certificate”); | |
4. | The representations as to factual matters made to us by the Company in its letter to us dated February 7, 2008 (the “Company Tax Certificate,” and, together with the Parent Tax Certificate, the “Tax Certificates”); and | |
5. | Such other instruments and documents related to the formation, organization and operation of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and parties to the Second Step Transaction and to the consummation of the Merger and the Second Step Transaction as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of our opinion. |
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed, with your permission and without independent
investigation, (i) that the Merger will be consummated in the manner contemplated by the Consent Solicitation/Prospectus and in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement without the waiver of
any conditions to any party’s obligation to effect the Merger, (ii) that the Second Step
Transaction (as defined in the Consent Solicitation/Prospectus) will be consummated in the manner
contemplated by the Consent Solicitation/Prospectus and the Tax Certificates, (iii) that original
documents (including signatures) are authentic, (iv) that documents submitted to us as copies
conform to the original documents, (v) that there has been (or will be by the date of the Merger)
due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are prerequisites to
the effectiveness of those documents, (vi) the accuracy of statements and representations contained
in the Documents, (vii) that covenants and warranties set forth in the Documents will be complied
with and (viii) that the Merger and the Second Step Transaction will be effective under applicable
state law.
Furthermore, as to certain facts material to our opinion, we have relied, with your permission and
without independent investigation, upon the accuracy of statements and representations of officers
of the Parent and the Company contained in the Tax Certificates and have assumed, with your
permission and without independent investigation, that, as to all matters in which a person or
entity making a representation has represented that such person or entity or a related party is not
a party to, does not
have, or is not aware of, any plan, intention, understanding or agreement to take action, there is
in fact no plan, intention, understanding or agreement and such action will not be taken.
IRS Circular 230 Disclosure. To ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by the IRS, we
inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained herein does not deal with a taxpayer’s
particular circumstances. Further, it was written in support of the promotion, marketing or
recommending of the transaction or matter described herein. This opinion was not intended or
written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal
Revenue Code. Taxpayers should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to
them of their own particular circumstances.
Based on the assumptions specified herein and on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations
thereof, all in effect as of today’s date, it is our opinion that (i) the Merger, together with the
Second Step Transaction, will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code, and (ii) that the discussion contained in the
Consent Solicitation/Prospectus under the
caption “The Merger — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger,” subject to the
limitations, qualifications and assumptions described therein, sets forth the material United
States federal income tax considerations applicable to the
Company’s stockholders in the Merger. As noted in such
discussion, notwithstanding the qualification of the Merger as a
reorganization, a portion of the Parent Common Stock received in the
Merger may be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an
amount received in respect of a distribution on Cryptometrics shares.
Our opinion expressed herein is based upon existing law, regulations, administrative pronouncements
and judicial authority, all as in effect as of today’s date. It represents our best legal judgment
as to the matters addressed herein, but is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the
courts. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the opinion expressed herein, if contested,
would be sustained by a court. Furthermore, the authorities upon which we rely may be changed at
any time, potentially with retroactive effect. No assurances can be given as to the effect of any
such changes on the conclusions expressed in this opinion. If any of the facts and assumptions
pertinent to the federal income tax treatment of the Merger or the Second Step Transaction
specified herein or any of the statements, covenants, representations or warranties contained in
the Documents are, or later become, inaccurate, such inaccuracy may adversely affect the
conclusions expressed in this opinion. In addition, our opinion is limited to the tax matters
specifically covered hereby, and we have not been asked to address, nor have we addressed, any
other tax consequences of the Merger or any other transactions.
This
opinion is being provided solely for the benefit of Parent, the
Company and their respective shareholders as of the date of the
Merger and no other person shall be entitled to rely on this opinion.
Very truly yours,
/s/
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP