EXHIBIT 1.1
Underwriting Agreement
December __, 0000
XxxxXxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLC
U.S. Bancorp Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Inc.
c/o BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Introductory. Digimarc Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in
Schedule A (the "Underwriters") an aggregate of __________ shares (the "Firm
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Shares") of its Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Shares").
In addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase
up to an additional __________ Common Shares (the "Option Shares") as provided
in Section 2. The Firm Shares and, if and to the extent such option is
exercised, the Option Shares are collectively called the "Shares". BancBoston
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc., Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLC and U.S. Bancorp Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Inc., have agreed to act as representatives of the several Underwriters (in such
capacity, the "Representatives") in connection with the offering and sale of the
Shares.
The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-87501),
which contains a form of prospectus to be used in connection with the public
offering and sale of the Shares. Such registration statement, as amended,
including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form
in which it was declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act of
1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the
"Securities Act"), including any information deemed to be a part thereof at the
time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434 under the Securities
Act, is called the "Registration Statement". Any registration statement filed
by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act is called the
"Rule 462(b) Registration Statement", and from and after the date and time of
filing of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement the term "Registration
Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Such
prospectus, in the form first used by the Underwriters to confirm sales of the
Shares, is called the "Prospectus"; provided, however, if the Company has, with
the consent of BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc., elected to rely upon Rule 434
under the Securities Act, the
term "Prospectus" shall mean the Company's prospectus subject to completion
(each, a "preliminary prospectus") dated November 1, 1999 (such preliminary
prospectus is called the "Rule 434 preliminary prospectus"), together with the
applicable term sheet (the "Term Sheet") prepared and filed by the Company with
the Commission under Rules 434 and 424(b) under the Securities Act and all
references in this Agreement to the date of the Prospectus shall mean the date
of the Term Sheet. All references in this Agreement to the Registration
Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, a preliminary prospectus, the
Prospectus or the Term Sheet, or any amendments or supplements to any of the
foregoing, shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to
its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System ("XXXXX").
The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Underwriters as
follows:
Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each
Underwriter as follows:
(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Registration Statement
and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared effective by the
Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied to the
Commission's satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for additional or
supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect
and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to
the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the
Commission.
Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus when filed complied in
all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic
transmission pursuant to XXXXX (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T
under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the
Underwriters for use in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares. Each
of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and at all
subsequent times, complied and will comply in all material respects with the
Securities Act and did not and will 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. The Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, as of its date and at all subsequent times, did not and
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
representations and warranties set forth in the two immediately preceding
sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration
Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective
amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto,
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any
Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Representatives expressly
for use therein. There are no contracts or other documents required to be
described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement which have not been described or filed as required.
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(b) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters. The Company has delivered
to the Representatives four complete conformed copies of the Registration
Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts filed as a part
thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits)
and preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in
such quantities and at such places as the Representatives have reasonably
requested for each of the Underwriters.
(c) Distribution of Offering Material By the Company. The Company has not
distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Second Closing
Date (as defined below) and the completion of the Underwriters' distribution of
the Shares, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of
the Shares other than a preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement and other materials, if any, permitted by the Act.
(d) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Company,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification
hereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the enforcement hereof
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by
general equitable principles.
(e) Authorization of the Shares To Be Sold by the Company. The Shares to be
purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for
issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(f) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no
persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt
securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in
the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been
duly waived.
(g) No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material
adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result
in a material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in
the earnings, business, operations or prospects, whether or not arising from
transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company (any such change
or effect, where the context so requires, is called a "Material Adverse Change"
or a "Material Adverse Effect"); (ii) the Company has not incurred any material
liability or obligation not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into
any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business;
and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid
or made by the Company on any class of capital stock or repurchase or redemption
by the Company of any class of capital stock.
(h) Independent Accountants. KPMG LLP, who have expressed their opinion
with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in this Agreement
includes the related notes thereto)
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filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included
in the Prospectus, are independent public or certified public accountants within
the meaning of by the Securities Act.
(i) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial statements filed
with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the
Prospectus present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company as
of and at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows
for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in the
related notes thereto. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are
required to be included in the Registration Statement. The financial data set
forth in the Prospectus under the captions "Prospectus Summary--Summary Selected
Financial Data", "Selected Financial Data" and "Capitalization" fairly present
the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that of the audited
financial statements contained in the Registration Statement.
(j) Company's Accounting System. The Company maintains a system of
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is
permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.
(k) Subsidiaries of the Company. The Company does not own or control,
directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity.
(l) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been
duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized with full corporate power
and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the
prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is
in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such
qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or be in good
standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).
(m) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The authorized, issued
and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "Capitalization" (other than for subsequent issuances, if any,
pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the Prospectus or upon exercise
of outstanding options described in the Prospectus). The Common Shares
(including the Shares) conform in all material respects to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding Common
Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and have been issued in compliance with federal and state
securities laws. None of the outstanding Common Shares were issued in violation
of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to
subscribe for or purchase securities
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of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants,
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or
equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for,
any capital stock of the Company other than those accurately described in the
Prospectus. The description of the Company's stock option, stock bonus and other
stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder,
set forth in the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents the information
required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and
rights.
(n) Stock Exchange Listing. The Shares have been approved for inclusion on
the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of issuance.
(o) No Consents, Approvals or Authorizations Required. No consent,
approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental
agency or regulatory body is required in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained or made under the
Securities Act and such as may be required (i) under the blue sky laws of any
jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by
the Underwriters in the manner contemplated here and in the Prospectus, (ii) by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, LLC and (iii) by the federal and
provincial laws of Canada.
(p) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments Agreements. Neither the issue
and sale of the Shares nor the consummation of any other of the transactions
herein contemplated nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof will result in a
material breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or
constitute a default under (i) the charter or by-laws of the Company (ii) the
terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note
agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or
instrument to which the Company is a party or bound or to which its property is
subject or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree
applicable to the Company of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency,
governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its properties.
(q) No Defaults or Violations. The Company is not in violation or default
of (i) any provision of its charter or by-laws, (ii) the terms of any indenture,
contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or
other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a
party or bound or to which its property is subject or (iii) any statute, law,
rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body,
administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, as applicable, except
any such violation or default which would not, singly or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Change except as otherwise disclosed in the
Prospectus.
(r) No Actions, Suits or Proceedings. No action, suit or proceeding by or
before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator
involving the Company or its property is pending or, to the best knowledge of
the Company, threatened that (i) could reasonably be expected to prevent the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(s) All Necessary Permits, Etc. The Company possesses such valid and
current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by the appropriate state,
federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their
respective businesses, and the Company has not received any notice of
proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance
with, any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the
aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, could
result in a Material Adverse Change.
(t) Title to Properties. The Company has good and marketable title to all
the properties and assets reflected as owned in the financial statements
referred to in Section 1(i) above, in each case free and clear of any security
interests, mortgages, liens, encumbrances, equities, claims and other defects,
except such as do not materially and adversely affect the value of such property
and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such
property by the Company. The real property, improvements, equipment and personal
property held under lease by the Company are held under valid and enforceable
leases, with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere
with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property, improvements,
equipment or personal property by the Company.
(u) Tax Law Compliance. The Company has filed all necessary federal, state
and foreign income and franchise tax returns, or has properly requested
extensions thereof, and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and, if due
and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against
it. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the
applicable financial statements referred to in Section 1(i) above in respect of
all federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to
which the tax liability of the Company has not been finally determined. The
Company is not aware of any tax deficiency that has been or might be asserted or
threatened against the Company that could result in a Material Adverse Change.
(v) Intellectual Property Rights. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus,
the Company owns or possesses adequate rights to use all patents, patent rights
or licenses, inventions, collaborative research agreements, trade secrets, know-
how, trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights which are necessary
to conduct its businesses as described in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus; the expiration of any patents, patent rights, trade secrets,
trademarks, service marks, trade names or copyrights would not result in a
Material Adverse Change that is not otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus; the
Company has not received any notice of, and has no knowledge of, any
infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of the Company by others with
respect to any patent, patent rights, inventions, trade secrets, know-how,
trademarks, service marks, trade names or copyrights; and the Company has not
received any notice of, and has no knowledge of, any infringement of or conflict
with asserted rights of others with respect to any patent, patent rights,
inventions, trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, service marks, trade names or
copyrights which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding, might have a Material Adverse Change. Except as
disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no claim being made against the Company
regarding patents, patent rights or licenses, inventions, collaborative
research, trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, service marks, trade names or
copyrights. The Company does not in the conduct of their business as now or
proposed to be conducted as described in the Prospectus infringe or conflict
with any right or patent of any third party, or any discovery,
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invention, product or process which is the subject of a patent application filed
by any third party, known to the Company, which such infringement or conflict is
reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.
(w) Year 2000 Preparedness. There are no issues related to the Company's
preparedness for the Year 2000 that (i) are of a character required to be
described or referred to in the Registration Statement or Prospectus by the
Securities Act which have not been accurately described in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or (ii) might reasonably be expected to result in any
Material Adverse Change or that might materially affect their properties, assets
or rights. The Company has inquired of material vendors as to their preparedness
for the Year 2000 and has disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus
any issues that might reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse
Change.
(x) No Transfer Taxes or Other Fees. There are no transfer taxes or other
similar fees or charges under Federal law or the laws of any state, or any
political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance and sale by the Company
of the shares.
(y) Company Not an "Investment Company." The Company has been advised of
the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Investment Company Act"). The Company is not, and after receipt of payment
for the Shares will not be, an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by
an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and
will conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the
Investment Company Act.
(z) Insurance. The Company is insured by recognized, financially sound and
reputable institutions with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles
and covering such risks as are generally deemed adequate and customary for their
businesses including, but not limited to, policies covering real and personal
property owned or leased by the Company against theft, damage, destruction, acts
of vandalism and earthquakes, general liability and Directors and Officers
liability. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able (i) to
renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii)
to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or
appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would
not result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company has not been denied any
insurance coverage which it has sought or for which it has applied.
(aa) Labor Matters. To the best of Company's knowledge, no labor
disturbance by the employees of the Company exists or is imminent; and the
Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the
employees of any of its principal suppliers, subassemblers, subcontractors or
original equipment manufacturers, that might be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change.
(bb) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company has not taken and
will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be
reasonably expected to cause or
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result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Stock to
facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(cc) Lock-Up Agreements. Each officer and director of the Company and each
beneficial owner of capital of the Company has agreed to sign an agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Lock-up
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Agreements"). The Company has provided to counsel for the Underwriters a
complete and accurate list of all securityholders of the Company and the number
and type of securities held by each securityholder. The Company has provided to
counsel for the Underwriters true, accurate and complete copies of all of the
Lock-up Agreements presently in effect or effected hereby. The Company hereby
represents and warrants that it will not release any of its officers, directors
or other stockholders from any Lock-up Agreements currently existing or
hereafter effected without the prior written consent of BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Inc.
(dd) Related Party Transactions. To the best of the Company's knowledge,
there are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the
Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus which
have not been described as required.
Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to
the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters
set forth therein.
Section 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Shares.
(a) The Firm Shares. The Company agrees to issue and sell to the several
Underwriters the Firm Shares upon the terms herein set forth. On the basis of
the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the
terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of
Firm Shares set forth opposite their names on Schedule A. The purchase price per
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Firm Share to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Company shall be $___
per share.
(b) The First Closing Date. Delivery of the Firm Shares to be purchased by
the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made by the Company and the
Representatives at 6:00 a.m. San Francisco time, at the offices of Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxxxx LLP (or at such other place as may be agreed upon among the
Representatives and the Company), (i) on the third (3rd) full business day
following the first day that Shares are traded, (ii) if this Agreement is
executed and delivered after 1:30 P.M., San Francisco time, the fourth (4th)
full business day following the day that this Agreement is executed and
delivered or (iii) at such other time and date not later that seven (7) full
business days following the first day that Shares are traded as the
Representatives and the Company may determine (or at such time and date to which
payment and delivery shall have been postponed pursuant to Section 8 hereof),
such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the "Closing
Date;" provided, however, that if the Company has not made available to the
Representatives copies of the Prospectus within the time provided in Section
4(d) hereof, the Representatives may, in their sole discretion, postpone the
Closing Date until no later that two (2) full business days following delivery
of copies of the Prospectus to the Representatives.
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(c) The Option Shares; the Second Closing Date. In addition, on the basis
of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the
terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants
an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up
to an aggregate of __________ Option Shares from the Company at the purchase
price per share to be paid by the Underwriters for the Firm Shares. The option
granted hereunder is for use by the Underwriters solely in covering any over-
allotments in connection with the sale and distribution of the Firm Shares. The
option granted hereunder may be exercised at any time upon notice by the
Representatives to the Company, which notice may be given at any time within 30
days from the date of this Agreement. The time and date of delivery of the
Option Shares, if subsequent to the First Closing Date, is called the "Second
Closing Date" and shall be determined by the Representatives and shall not be
earlier than three nor later than five full business days after delivery of such
notice of exercise. If any Option Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter
agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Option Shares
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the
Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total
number of Option Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth
on Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of
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Firm Shares. The Representatives may cancel the option at any time prior to its
expiration by giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.
(d) Public Offering of the Shares. The Representatives hereby advise the
Company that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the public, as
described in the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Shares as soon
after this Agreement has been executed and the Registration Statement has been
declared effective as the Representatives, in their sole judgment, has
determined is advisable and practicable.
(e) Payment for the Shares. Payment for the Shares shall be made at the
First Closing Date (and, if applicable, at the Second Closing Date) by wire
transfer in immediately available-funds to the order of the Company.
It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for
their own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept
delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the
Firm Shares and any Option Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase.
BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc., individually and not as the Representative
of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any
Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been
received by the Representatives by the First Closing Date or the Second Closing
Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such
payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under
this Agreement.
(f) Delivery of the Shares. The Company shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, a credit representing the Firm Shares to an account or accounts at
The Depository Trust Company, as designated by the Representatives for the
accounts of the Representatives and the several Underwriters at the First
Closing Date, against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately
available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The Company shall
also
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deliver, or cause to be delivered a credit representing the Option Shares the
Underwriters have agreed to purchase at the First Closing Date (or the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be), to an account or accounts at The Depository
Trust Company as designated by the Representatives for the accounts of the
Representatives and the several Underwriters, against the irrevocable release of
a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase
price therefor. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place
specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the
Underwriters.
(g) Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters. Not later than 12:00 noon
on the second business day following the date the Shares are released by the
Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall deliver or cause to be
delivered copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as the
Representatives shall request.
Section 3. Covenants of the Company.
The Company further covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Registration Statement Matters. The Company will (i) use its best
efforts to cause a registration statement on Form 8-A (the "Form 8-A
Registration Statement") as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") to become effective simultaneously with the Registration
Statement, (ii) use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to
become effective or, if the procedure in Rule 430A of the Securities Act is
followed, to prepare and timely file with the Commission under Rule 424(b) under
the Securities Act a Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives
containing information previously omitted at the time of effectiveness of the
Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A of the Securities Act and (iii)
not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the
Prospectus of which the Representatives shall not previously have been advised
and furnished with a copy or to which the Representatives shall have reasonably
objected in writing or which is not in compliance with the Securities Act. If
the Company elects to rely on Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the Company
shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in
compliance with Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act prior to the time
confirmations are sent or given, as specified by Rule 462(b)(2) under the
Securities Act, and shall pay the applicable fees in accordance with Rule 111
under the Securities Act.
(b) Securities Act Compliance. The Company will advise the Representatives
promptly (i) when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto shall have become effective, (ii) of receipt of any comments from the
Commission, (iii) of any request of the Commission for amendment of the
Registration Statement or for supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional
information and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of the
Prospectus or of the institution of any proceedings for that purpose. The
Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order
preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus and to obtain as soon as
possible the lifting thereof, if issued.
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(c) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will cooperate with the
Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters in endeavoring to qualify the
Shares for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions (both national
and foreign) as the Representatives may reasonably have designated in writing
and will make such applications, file such documents, and furnish such
information as may be reasonably required for that purpose, provided the Company
shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general
consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
qualified or required to file such a consent. The Company will, from time to
time, prepare and file such statements, reports and other documents, as are or
may be required to continue such qualifications in effect for so long a period
as the Representatives may reasonably request for distribution of the Shares.
(d) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act
Matters. The Company will comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, so as to permit the
completion of the distribution of the Shares as contemplated in this Agreement
and the Prospectus. If during the period in which a prospectus is required by
law to be delivered by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur as a
result of which, in the judgment of the Company or in the reasonable opinion of
the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters, it becomes necessary to
amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances existing at the time the Prospectus is delivered
to a purchaser, not misleading, or, if it is necessary at any time to amend or
supplement the Prospectus to comply with any law, the Company promptly will
prepare and file with the Commission, and furnish at its own expense to the
Underwriters and to dealers, an appropriate amendment to the Registration
Statement or supplement to the Prospectus so that the Prospectus as so amended
or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when it is so
delivered, be misleading, or so that the Prospectus will comply with the law.
(e) Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus. The Company
agrees to furnish the Representatives, without charge, during the period
beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the First Closing Date
or such date, as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus
is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an
Underwriter or dealer (the "Prospectus Delivery Period"), as many copies of the
Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto as the Representatives may
request.
(f) Insurance. The Company shall obtain Directors and Officers liability
insurance in the minimum amount of $10 million which shall apply to the offering
contemplated hereby.
(g) Notice of Subsequent Events. If at any time during the ninety (90) day
period after the Registration Statement becomes effective, any rumor,
publication or event relating to or affecting the Company shall occur as a
result of which in your opinion the market price of the Company Shares has been
or is likely to be materially affected (regardless of whether such rumor,
publication or event necessitates a supplement to or amendment of the
Prospectus), the Company will, after written notice from you advising the
Company to the effect set forth above, forthwith prepare, consult with you
concerning the substance of and disseminate a press release or other public
statement, reasonably satisfactory to you, responding to or commenting on such
rumor, publication or event.
-11-
(h) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale
of the Shares sold by it substantially in the manner described under the caption
"Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.
(i) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense,
a registrar and transfer agent for the Company Shares.
(j) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make
generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an
earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the twelve-month period
ending December 31, 2000 that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act.
(k) Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus Delivery Period
the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the Nasdaq
National Market all reports and documents required to be filed under the
Exchange Act.
(l) Agreement Not to Offer or Sell Additional Securities. The Company will
not, without the prior written consent of BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.,
for a period of 180 days following the date of the Prospectus, offer, sell or
contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of or enter into any transaction which is
designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by
actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or
otherwise by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in
privity with the Company or any affiliate of the Company) directly or
indirectly, or announce the offering of, any other Common Shares or any
securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Shares; provided,
however, that (i) the Company may issue and sell Common Shares pursuant to any
director or employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend
reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the date of the Prospectus and
described in the Prospectus so long as none of those shares may be transferred
on during the period of 180 days from the date that the Registration Statement
is declared effective (the "Lock-Up Period") and the Company shall enter stop
transfer instructions with its transfer agent and registrar against the transfer
of any such Common Shares and (ii) the Company may issue Common Shares issuable
upon the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding at the
date of the Prospectus and described in the Prospectus, and (iii) the Company
may issue Common Shares (or securities convertible into, or exchangeable for,
Common Shares) in connection with the formation or furtherance of a strategic
alliance so long as none of those shares may be transferred on during the Lock-
Up Period.
(m) Future Reports to the Representatives. During the period of three years
hereafter the Company will furnish to the Representatives as soon as available,
copies of any report or communication of the Company mailed generally to holders
of its capital stock.
Section 4. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares as
provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Option
Shares, the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1
hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then
made and, with respect to the Option
-12-
the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations
and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of
the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then made and, with
respect to the Option Shares, as of the Second Closing Date as though then made,
to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations
hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:
(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No Objection from
the National Association of Securities Dealers, LLC. The Registration
Statement shall have become effective prior to the execution of this
Agreement, or at such later date as shall be consented to in writing by
you; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been
issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or, to
the knowledge of the Company or any Underwriter, threatened by the
Commission, and any request of the Commission for additional information
(to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
otherwise) shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of
Underwriters' Counsel; and the National Association of Securities Dealers,
LLC shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of
the underwriting terms and arrangements.
(b) Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters in
connection with this Agreement, the form of Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, and the registration, authorization, issue, sale and delivery
of the Shares, shall have been reasonably satisfactory to Underwriters'
Counsel, and such counsel shall have been furnished with such papers and
information as they may reasonably have requested to enable them to pass
upon the matters referred to in this Section.
(c) No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date, or the Second Closing
Date, as the case may be, there shall not have been any Material Adverse
Change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, operations
business or business prospects of the Company considered as one enterprise
from that set forth in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, which, in
your sole judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in your sole
judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering
of the Shares as contemplated by the Prospectus.
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. You shall have received on the First
Closing Date, or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Company, substantially in the form
of Exhibit B attached hereto, dated the First Closing Date, or the Second
---------
Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriters and with reproduced copies or
signed counterparts thereof for each of the Underwriters.
Counsel rendering the opinion contained in Exhibit B may rely as to
---------
questions of law not involving the laws of the United States or the State of
California upon opinions of local counsel, and as to questions of fact upon
representations or certificates of officers of the Company, and of government
officials, in which case their opinion is to state that they are so relying and
that they have no knowledge of any material misstatement or inaccuracy in any
such opinion, representation or certificate. Copies of any opinion,
representation or certificate so relied upon shall be delivered to you, as
Representatives of the Underwriters, and to Underwriters' Counsel.
-13-
(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters. You shall have received on the
First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, an
opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, Professional Corporation,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto. The Company shall have
---------
furnished to such counsel such documents as they may have requested for the
purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(f) Accountants' Comfort Letter. You shall have received on the First Closing
Date and on the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, a letter from KPMG
LLP addressed to the Underwriters, dated the First Closing Date or the
Second Closing Date, as the case may be, confirming that they are
independent certified public accountants with respect to the Company within
the meaning of the Act and the applicable published Rules and Regulations
and based upon the procedures described in such letter delivered to you
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (herein called the
"Original Letter"), but carried out to a date not more than four (4)
business days prior to the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date,
as the case may be, (i) confirming, to the extent true, that the statements
and conclusions set forth in the Original Letter are accurate as of the
First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, and (ii)
setting forth any revisions and additions to the statements and conclusions
set forth in the Original Letter which are necessary to reflect any changes
in the facts described in the Original Letter since the date of such
letter, or to reflect the availability of more recent financial statements,
data or information. The letter shall not disclose any change in the
condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, operations, business or
business prospects of the Company from that set forth in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus, which, in your sole judgment, is material and
adverse and that makes it, in your sole judgment, impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering of the Shares as
contemplated by the Prospectus. The Original Letter from KPMG LLP shall
be addressed to or for the use of the Underwriters in form and substance
satisfactory to the Underwriters and shall (i) represent, to the extent
true, that they are independent certified public accountants with respect
to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable published
Rules and Regulations, (ii) set forth their opinion with respect to their
examination of the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
[December 31, 1998] and related consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the twelve (12) months ended
[December 31, 1998], (iii) state that KPMG LLP has performed the
procedures set out in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 71 ("SAS 71") for
a review of interim financial information and providing the report of KPMG
LLP as described in SAS 71 on the financial statements for each of the
quarters in the ten-quarter period ended June 30, 1999 (the "Quarterly
Financial Statements"), (iv) state that in the course of such review,
nothing came to their attention that leads them to believe that any
material modifications need to be made to any of the Quarterly Financial
Statements in order for them to be in compliance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied across the periods presented,
and address other matters agreed upon by KPMG LLP and you. In addition,
you shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter addressed to the Company
and made available to you for the use of the Underwriters stating that
their review of the Company's system of internal accounting controls, to
the extent they deemed necessary in establishing the scope of their
examination of the Company's consolidated financial statements as of
December 31, 1998 did not disclose any weaknesses in internal controls that
they considered to be material weaknesses.
(g) Officers' Certificate. You shall have received on the First Closing Date
and the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of the
Company, dated the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the
case may be, signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, to the effect that, and you shall be satisfied
that:
(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement
are true and correct, as if made on and as of the First Closing Date
or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company has
complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on
its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the First Closing
Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be;
(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have
been instituted or are pending or threatened under the Act;
(iii) When the Registration Statement became effective and at all times
subsequent thereto up to the delivery of such certificate, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, contained all material information required to
be included therein by the Securities Act and the applicable rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder and in all material
respects conformed to the requirements of the Securities Act and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, did not and do not include 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; and, since the effective date of the Registration
Statement, there has occurred no event required to be set forth in an
amended or supplemented Prospectus which has not been so set forth;
and
(iv) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, there has not been (a)
any material adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings, operations, business or business prospects of
the Company, (b) any transaction that is material to the Company,
except transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business,
(c) any obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the
Company, incurred by the Company, except obligations incurred in the
ordinary course of business, (d) any change in the capital stock or
outstanding indebtedness of the Company that is material to the
Company, (e) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid
or made on the capital stock of the Company, or (f) any loss or
damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company which
has been sustained or will have been sustained which has a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
operations, business or business prospects of the Company.
(h) Lock-up Agreement from Certain Stockholders of the Company. The Company
shall have obtained and delivered to you an agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit A attached hereto from each officer and director of the
---------
Company and each beneficial owner of the outstanding issued share capital
of the Company.
-14-
(i) Stock Exchange Listing. The Shares shall have been approved for inclusion
on the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of issuance.
(j) Compliance with Prospectus Delivery Requirements. The Company shall have
complied with the provisions of Sections 2(g) and 3(e) hereof with respect
to the furnishing of Prospectuses.
(k) Additional Documents. On or before each of the First Closing Date and the
Second Closing Date, as the case may be, the Representatives and counsel
for the Underwriters shall have received such information, documents and
opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them
to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as contemplated herein, or
in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and
warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements,
herein contained.
If any condition specified in this Section 4 is not satisfied when and as
required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the First
Closing Date and, with respect to the Option Shares, at any time prior to the
Second Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of
any party to any other party, except that Section 5 (Payment of Expenses),
Section 6 (Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses), Section 7 (Indemnification
and Contribution) and Section 10 (Representations and Indemnities to Survive
Delivery) shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
Section 5. Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations
hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including
without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the
Common Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and
expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all
necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance
and sale of the Shares to the Underwriters, (iv) all fees and expenses of the
Company's counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other
advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration
Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and
certificates of experts), each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, and
all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing
fees, attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters
in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the
qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Shares for offer and
sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities
laws of Canada or any other country, and, if requested by the Representatives,
preparing and printing a "Blue Sky Survey", an "International Blue Sky Survey"
or other memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Underwriters of
such qualifications, registrations and exemptions, (vii) the filing fees
incident to, and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the
Underwriters in connection with, the National Association of Securities Dealers,
LLC review and approval of the Underwriters' participation in the offering and
distribution of the Common Shares, (viii) the fees and expenses associated with
including the Common Shares on the Nasdaq National Market, (ix) all costs and
expenses incident to the preparation and undertaking of
-15-
"road show" preparations to be made to prospective investors, and (x) all other
fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 13 of Part II of the Registration
Statement. Except as provided in this Section 5, Section 6, and Section 7
hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and
disbursements of their counsel.
Section 6. Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses. If this Agreement is
terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 4, Section 7, Section 8,
Section 9, or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Shares on the First Closing
Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part
of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision
hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Representatives and the other
Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have terminated this Agreement with
respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses
that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Representatives and the
Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale
of the Shares, including but not limited to fees and disbursements of counsel,
printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.
Section 7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters.
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter,
its officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which
such Underwriter or such controlling person may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or
regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any
litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), insofar as such
loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as
contemplated below) arises out of or is based (i) upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a
part thereof pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434 under the Securities Act, or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) upon
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) in whole or
in part upon any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company
contained herein; or (iv) in whole or in part upon any failure of the Company
to perform its obligations hereunder or under law; or (v) any act or failure to
act or any alleged act or failure to act by any Underwriter in connection with,
or relating in any manner to, the Shares or the offering contemplated hereby,
and which is included as part of or referred to in any loss, claim, damage,
liability or action arising out of or based upon any matter covered by clause
(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, provided that the Company shall not be liable
under this clause (v) to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall
have determined by a final judgment that such loss,
-16-
claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any such acts or
failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such Underwriter through
its bad faith or willful misconduct; and to reimburse each Underwriter and each
such controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and
disbursements of counsel chosen by BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.) as such
expenses are reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or such controlling person
in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying
any such loss,
-17-
claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the
foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or
based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by the Representatives expressly for use in
the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto); and provided, further, that with respect to
any preliminary prospectus, the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not inure to
the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense purchased Shares, or any person controlling such
Underwriter, if copies of the Prospectus were timely delivered to the
Underwriter pursuant to Section 2 and a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended
or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter
to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense. The indemnity agreement
set forth in this Section 7(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the
Company may otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. Each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who
signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act,
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to
which the Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person may
become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other
federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise
(including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected
with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated
below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to
the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by the Representatives
expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, or any such
director, officer or controlling person for any legal and other expense
reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling,
compromising or
-18-
paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The
indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(b) shall be in addition to
any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise have.
(c) Information Provided by the Underwriters. The Company hereby acknowledges
that the only information that the Underwriters have furnished to the
Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are
the statements set forth in the table in the first, second and third
paragraphs under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus; and the
Underwriters confirm that such statements are correct.
(d) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt
by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement
of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof
is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the
omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any
liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or
otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7 or
to the extent it is not prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure.
In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such
indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying
party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to
the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties
similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party
promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party,
to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action
include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise
between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party
in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal
defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party,
the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate
counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the
defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.
Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified
party of such indemnifying party's election so to assume the defense of
such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this
Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the
indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with
the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however,
that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more
than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the
indemnifying party (BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc. in the case of
Section 7(b) and Section 8), representing the indemnified parties who are
parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have
employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of
the action, or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment
of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying
party, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at
the expense of the indemnifying party.
-19-
(e) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 7 shall not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled
with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the
indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any
loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or
judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an
indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse
the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by
Section 7(d) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable
for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by
such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying
party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with
such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party
shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any
pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could
have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such
settlement, compromise or consent includes (i) an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include a
statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act
by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(f) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
Section 7(a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable
by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however,
the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law then each indemnifying party shall contribute
to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the
relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, (or actions or proceedings in
respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as
the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses)
received by the Company bears to the total underwriting discounts and
commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the
table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contributions pursuant to this Section 7(f) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were
-20-
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
this Section 7(f). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings
in respect thereof) referred to above in this Section 7(f) shall be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (f), (i) no Underwriter shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and
commissions applicable to the Shares purchased by such Underwriter and (ii) no
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters'
obligations in this Section 7(f) to contribute are several in proportion to
their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
(g) Timing of Any Payments of Indemnification. Any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses for which an indemnified party is entitled to
indemnification or contribution under this Section 7 shall be paid by the
indemnifying party to the indemnified party as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred, but in all cases, no later
than thirty (30) days of invoice to the indemnifying party.
(h) Survival. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 and the representation and warranties of the Company set forth in
this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect,
regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter
or any person controlling any Underwriter, the Company, its directors or
officers or any persons controlling the Company, (ii) acceptance of any
Shares and payment therefor hereunder, and (iii) any termination of this
Agreement. A successor to any Underwriter, or to the Company, its
directors or officers, or any person controlling the Company, shall be
entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement
agreements contained in this Section 7.
(i) Acknowledgements of Parties. The parties to this Agreement hereby
acknowledge that they are sophisticated business persons who were
represented by counsel during the negotiations regarding the provisions
hereof including, without limitation, the provisions of this Section 7, and
are fully informed regarding said provisions. They further acknowledge
that the provisions of this Section 7 fairly allocate the risks in light of
the ability of the parties to investigate the Company and its business in
order to assure that adequate disclosure is made in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act.
Section 8. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters. If, on the
First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or
more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it
or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number
of Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the
Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated,
severally, in the proportions that the number of Firm Common Shares set forth
opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of
----------
Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting
-21-
Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the
Representatives with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase
the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed
or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the First Closing Date or the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail
or refuse to purchase Shares and the aggregate number of Shares with respect to
which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Shares to be
purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and
the Company for the purchase of such Shares are not made within 48 hours after
such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to
any other party except that the provisions of Section 4, and Section 7 shall at
all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case
either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the
First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no
event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or
arrangements may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" shall be deemed to
include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section
8. Any action taken under this Section 8 shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.
Section 9. Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the First Closing Date,
this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to the
Company if at any time (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company's
securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the
Nasdaq Stock Market, or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq
Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or
limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on
any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, LLC; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been
declared by any of federal, New York or California authorities; (iii) there
shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international
hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or
international financial markets, or any substantial change or development
involving a prospective change in United States' or international political,
financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is
material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to market the
Common Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to
enforce contracts for the sale of securities; (iv) in the judgment of the
Representatives there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v)
the Company shall have sustained a loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake,
accident or other calamity of such character as in the judgment of the
Representatives may interfere materially with the conduct of the business and
operations of the Company regardless of whether or not such loss shall have been
insured. Any termination pursuant to this Section 9 shall be without liability
on the part of (a) the Company to any Underwriter, except that the Company shall
be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representatives and the
Underwriters pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 hereof, (b) any Underwriter to the
Company, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party except that the
provisions of Section 7 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such
termination.
-22-
Section 10. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company, of its officers and of the several Underwriters set
forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter
or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any
controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment
for the Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
Section 11. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties
hereto as follows:
If to the Representatives:
BANCBOSTON XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX INC.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Company:
DIGIMARC CORPORATION
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving
written notice to the others.
Section 12. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant
to Section 8 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors
and controlling persons referred to in Section 7, and to their respective
successors, and personal representatives, and no other person will have any
right or obligation hereunder. The term "successors" shall not include any
purchaser of the Shares as such from any of the Underwriters merely by reason of
such purchase.
Section 13. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of
any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof.
If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such
minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid
and enforceable.
-23-
Section 14. Governing Law Provisions.
(a) Governing Law. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the state of New York applicable to
agreements made and to be performed in such state.
(b) Consent to Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out
of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
("Related Proceedings") may be instituted in the federal courts of the
United States of America located in the City and County of San Francisco or
the courts of the State of California in each case located in the City and
County of San Francisco (collectively, the "Specified Courts"), and each
party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for
proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any
such court (a "Related Judgment"), as to which such jurisdiction is non-
exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service
of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party's address
set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action
or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and
unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit,
action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and
unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court
that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party not located in the
United States irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System, which currently
maintains a San Francisco office at 00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America, as its agent to receive service
of process or other legal summons for purposes of any such suit, action or
proceeding that may be instituted in any state or federal court in the City
and County of San Francisco.
Section 15. General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or
oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations
with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the
parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived
unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.
The Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and
shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
-24-
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a
binding agreement in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
DIGIMARC CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by
the Representatives as of the date first above written.
BANCBOSTON XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX INC.
XXXXXXXXX & XXXXX LLC
U.S. BANCORP XXXXX XXXXXXX INC.
On their behalf and on behalf of each of the several underwriters named in
Schedule A hereto.
----------
By BANCBOSTON XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX INC.
By:_________________________________
Authorized Signatory
-25-
SCHEDULE A
Number of
Firm Common
Shares To be
Underwriters Purchased
------------ ------------
BANCBOSTON XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX INC...............
XXXXXXXXX & XXXXX LLC...........................
U.S. BANCORP XXXXX XXXXXXX INC..................
Total....................................... 3,000,000
=============
S-A
Exhibit A
Lock-Up Agreement
BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLC
U.S. Bancorp Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Inc.
c/o BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
RE: Digimarc Corporation (the "Company")
Ladies & Gentlemen:
The undersigned is an owner of record or beneficially of certain shares of
Common Stock of the Company ("Common Stock") or securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock. The Company proposes to carry out
a public offering of Common Stock (the "Offering") for which you will act as the
representatives (the "Representatives") of the underwriters. The undersigned
recognizes that the Offering will be of benefit to the undersigned and will
benefit the Company by, among other things, raising additional capital for its
operations. The undersigned acknowledges that you and the other underwriters
are relying on the representations and agreements of the undersigned contained
in this letter in carrying out the Offering and in entering into underwriting
arrangements with the Company with respect to the Offering.
In consideration of the foregoing, the undersigned hereby agrees that
the undersigned will not offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise sell,
dispose of, loan, pledge or grant any rights with respect to (collectively, a
"Disposition") any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to purchase
any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of Common Stock (collectively, "Securities") now owned or hereafter
acquired directly by such person or with respect to which such person has or
hereafter acquires the power of disposition, otherwise than (i) as a bona fide
gift or gifts, provided the donee or donees thereof agree in writing to be bound
by this restriction, (ii) as a distribution to partners or shareholders of such
person, provided that the distributees thereof agree in writing to be bound by
the terms of this restriction, (iii) with respect to dispositions of Common
Stock acquired on the open market or (iv) with the prior written consent of
BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc., for a period commencing on the date hereof
and continuing to a date 180 days after the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Lock-up Period"). The
foregoing restriction has been expressly agreed to preclude the holder of the
Securities from engaging in any hedging or other transaction which is designed
to or reasonably expected to lead to or result in a Disposition of Securities
during the Lock-up Period, even if such Securities would be disposed of by
someone other than such holder. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions
would include, without limitation, any short sale (whether or not against the
box) or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including, without limitation,
any put or call option) with respect to any Securities or with respect to any
security (other than a broad-based market basket or index) that included,
relates to or derives any
A-1
significant part of its value from Securities. The undersigned also agrees and
consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company's transfer
agent and registrar against the transfer of shares of Common Stock or Securities
held by the undersigned except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
Furthermore, the undersigned hereby agrees and consents to the entry of
stop transfer instructions with the Company's transfer agent against the
transfer of the Securities held by the undersigned except in compliance with
this Lock-Up Agreement. In the event that the Registration Statement shall not
have been declared effective on or before August 30, 1999 this Lock-Up Agreement
shall be of no further force or effect.
This agreement is irrevocable and will be binding on the undersigned and
the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the
undersigned.
Dated: ___________________________________
_________________________________________
Printed Name of Holder
By: ______________________________________
Signature
______________________________________
Printed Name of Person Signing (and indicate
capacity of person signing if signing if signing
as custodian, trustee or on behalf of an entity)
A-2
Exhibit B
Matters to be Covered in the Opinion of Company Counsel
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation;
(ii) The Company has the corporate power to conduct its business as described in
the Prospectus;
(iii) The Company is duly qualified and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction in which the character or location of its
properties (owned, leased or licensed) or the nature or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so
qualified or be in good standing would not in the aggregate have a
Material Adverse Effect. To such counsel's knowledge, the Company does not
own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or
other entity;
(iv) The authorized capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" as of the dates stated
therein. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable, and, to such counsel's knowledge, will not have been issued
in violation of or subject to any preemptive right, co-sale right,
registration right, right of first refusal or other similar right;
(v) The Firm Shares or the Option Shares, as the case may be, to be issued by
the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement have been duly
authorized and, upon issuance and delivery against payment therefor in
accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly and validly issued and fully
paid and nonassessable, and, to such counsel's knowledge, will not have
been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive right, co-sale
right, registration right, right of first refusal or other similar right.
The Company has the corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to issue, sell and deliver to the Underwriters the Shares to
be issued and sold by it hereunder;
(vi) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by
you, is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification hereunder
may be limited by applicable law and except as enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general
equitable principles;
(vii) The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and, to
such counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
purpose have been instituted or are pending or threatened under the
Securities Act;
B-1
(viii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and each amendment or
supplement thereto (other than the financial statements (including
supporting schedules) and financial data derived therefrom as to which
such counsel need express no opinion), as of the effective date of the
Registration Statement, complied as to form in all material respects with
the requirements of the Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations;
(ix) The Shares conform in all material respects to the description thereof
contained under the caption "Description of Capital Stock" in the
Prospectus and the forms of certificates evidencing the Common Stock and
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement comply with Delaware law;
(x) The description in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus of the
charter and bylaws of the Company and of statutes are accurate and fairly
present the information required to be presented by the Securities Act;
(xi) To such counsel's knowledge, there are no agreements, contracts, leases or
documents to which the Company is a party of a character required to be
described or referred to in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to
be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which are not
described or referred to therein or filed as required;
(xii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by the
Company of its terms do not violate or result in a violation of the
Company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws or any judgement, order
or decree known to such counsel of any court or arbiter to which the
Company is a party, and, to such counsel's knowledge, will not constitute
a material breach of the terms, conditions or provisions or constitute a
default under, any contract, undertaking, indenture or other agreement by
which the Company is now bound or to which it is now a party;
(xiii) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court, government or
governmental agency is necessary in connection with the consummation by
the Company of the transactions herein contemplated, except (i) such as
have been obtained under the Securities Act, (ii) such as may be
required under state or other securities or Blue Sky laws in connection
with the purchase and the distribution of the Shares by the
Underwriters, (iii) such as may be required by the National Association
of Securities Dealers, LLC and (iv) such as may be required under the
federal or provincial laws of Canada;
(xiv) To such counsel's knowledge, there are no legal or governmental
proceedings pending or threatened against the Company of a character
required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
by the Securities Act, other than those described therein;
(xv) To such counsel's knowledge, the Company is not presently in material
violation of its charter or bylaws;
B-2
(xvi) To such counsel's knowledge, except as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, no holders of Company Shares or other
securities of the Company have registration rights with respect to
securities of the Company; and
(xvii) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and the sale
of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in
the Prospectus, will not be, an "investment company" as such term is
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
In addition, such counsel shall state that such counsel has participated in
conferences with officials and other representatives of the Company, the
Representatives, Underwriters' Counsel and the independent certified public
accountants of the Company concerning the Registration Statement and Prospectus
and has considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements
contained therein, and although they have not independently verified the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements based upon and subject to
the foregoing, nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that leads them
to believe that, at the time the Registration Statement, at the time it became
effective, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus, at the First Closing
Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel have not been
requested to and will not make any comment
B-3
with respect to the financial statements, supporting schedules, footnotes to the
financial statements, and other financial and statistical information derived
therefrom contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus).
B-4
Exhibit C
Matters to be Covered in the Opinion of Underwriters' Counsel
(i) The Shares to be issued by the Company have been duly authorized and, upon
issuance and delivery and payment therefor in accordance with the terms of
the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable.
(ii) The Registration Statement complied as to form in all material respects
with the requirements of the Act; the Registration Statement has become
effective under the Act and, to such counsel's knowledge, no stop order
proceedings with respect thereto have been instituted or threatened or are
pending under the Act.
(iii) The 8-A Registration Statement complied as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act; the 8-A Registration
Statement has become effective under the Exchange Act; and the Firm
Shares or the Option Shares have been validly registered under the
Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Exchange Act and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;
(iv) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Company.
Such counsel shall state that such counsel has reviewed the opinion
addressed to the Representatives from Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP dated the date
hereof, and furnished to you in accordance with the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement. Such opinion appears on its face to be appropriately
responsive to the requirements of the Underwriting Agreement.
In addition, such counsel shall state that such counsel has participated in
conferences with officials and other representatives of the Company, the
Representatives, Underwriters' Counsel and the independent certified public
accountants of the Company, at which such conferences the contents of the
Registration Statement and Prospectus and related matters were discussed, and
although they have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the statements
contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, nothing has come to
the attention of such counsel which leads them to believe that, at the time the
Registration Statement became effective and at all times subsequent thereto up
to and on the First Closing Date or Second Closing Date, as the case may be, the
Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto (other than the
financial statements including supporting schedules and other financial and
statistical information derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need express
no comment) contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or at the First Closing Date or the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto (except as aforesaid) contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.