Exhibit 1.1
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
__________, 1999
BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
Bear, Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc.
XX Xxxxx Securities Corporation
Wit Capital Corporation
c/o BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
INTRODUCTORY. The Cobalt Group, Inc., a Washington corporation (the
"Company), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in
SCHEDULE A (the "Underwriters") an aggregate of [___] shares (the "Firm Shares")
of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 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., Bear, Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc., XX Xxxxx Securities Corporation and Wit
Capital Corporation 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.
333-79483), which contains a form of prospectus subject to completion used in
connection with the public offering and sale of the Shares. Each such prospectus
subject to completion used in connection with such public offering is called a
"preliminary prospectus." 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." All references in this
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Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, a preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, 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
A. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. 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. Each preliminary
prospectus as of its date and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of
its date and at all subsequent times through the thirtieth day from the date
hereof, 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.
(b) OFFERING MATERIALS FURNISHED TO UNDERWRITERS. The Company has delivered
to each of the Representatives one complete conformed copy 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
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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 or the
Registration Statement.
(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 and its
subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any such change or effect, where the
context so requires, is called a "Material Adverse Change" or a "Material
Adverse Effect"); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one
entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct
or contingent, 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 or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other
subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or
repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class
of capital stock.
(h) INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, who have
expressed their opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as
used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) filed with the
Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in each
preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent public or certified
public accountants as required by the Securities Act.
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(i) PREPARATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The financial statements filed
with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in each
preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly the consolidated
financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries 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 as applied in the United States 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
"Summary--Summary 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. The pro forma financial data of the Company and its
subsidiaries and the related notes thereto included under the caption
"Summary--Summary Financial Data", "Selected Financial Data", "Unaudited Pro
forma Combined Financial Information" and elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the
Registration Statement present fairly the information contained therein, have
been prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines with
respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly presented on
the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof
are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect
to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. No other pro forma
financial information is required to be included in the Registration Statement
pursuant to Regulation S-X.
(j) COMPANY'S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. The Company and each of its subsidiaries
maintain 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 as applied in the United States 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 other than
the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement.
(l) INCORPORATION AND GOOD STANDING OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly
existing as a corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized with
full corporate or limited liability company 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 entity and is in good standing under the
laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification.
(m) CAPITALIZATION OF THE SUBSIDIARIES. All the outstanding shares of
capital stock of each
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subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully
paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus,
all outstanding shares of capital stock of the subsidiaries are owned by the
Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear
of any security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances.
(n) NO PROHIBITION ON SUBSIDIARIES FROM PAYING DIVIDENDS OR MAKING OTHER
DISTRIBUTIONS. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or
indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other
distribution on such subsidiary's capital stock, from repaying to the Company
any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring
any of such subsidiary's property or assets to the Company or any other
subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the
Prospectus.
(o) 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 or warrants 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, are
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 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 or any
of its subsidiaries 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.
(p) STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING. The Shares have been approved for listing on
the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of issuance.
(q) 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.
(r) NON-CONTRAVENTION OF EXISTING 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 conflict with, result
in a breach or violation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon
any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to,
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(i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws or operating agreement of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, (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 or
any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which its or their property is
subject or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree
applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory
body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority
having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or
their properties.
(s) NO DEFAULTS OR VIOLATIONS. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary is in
violation or default of (i) any provision of its articles of incorporation or
by-laws or operating agreement, (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 such subsidiary 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.
(t) 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 any of its subsidiaries or its or their property is
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the performance of
this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
hereby or (ii) could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(u) ALL NECESSARY PERMITS, ETC. The Company and each subsidiary possess
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 neither the Company nor any subsidiary
has 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.
(v) TITLE TO PROPERTIES. The Company and each subsidiary have good and
marketable title to all the properties and assets reflected as owned in the
financial statements referred to in Section 1(A)(i) above (or elsewhere in the
Prospectus), 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 or such subsidiary. The real property, improvements, equipment and
personal property held under lease by the Company or any subsidiary 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 or
such subsidiary.
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(w) TAX LAW COMPLIANCE. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all
necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns and have
paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any
related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them. The
Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable
financial statements referred to in Section 1(A)(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 or any of its subsidiaries 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.
(x) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries
owns or possesses all 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
other than as described in the 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
each preliminary prospectus and 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 other than as described in the Prospectus; 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
other than as described 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 and its subsidiaries do not in the
conduct of their business as now or proposed to be conducted as described in
each preliminary prospectus and in the Prospectus infringe or conflict with any
right or patent of any third party, or any discovery, invention, product or
process which is the subject of a patent application filed by any third party,
known to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which such infringement or
conflict is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.
(y) YEAR 2000 PREPAREDNESS. There are no issues related to the Company's,
or any of its subsidiaries', 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, each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus or
(ii) might reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change or
that might materially affect their properties, assets or rights. Except as
disclosed in the Registration Statement, each preliminary prospectus and the
Prospectus, all internal computer systems and each Constituent Component (as
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defined below) of those systems and all computer-related products and each
Constituent Component (as defined below) of those products of the Company and
each of its subsidiaries fully comply with Year 2000 Qualification Requirements.
"Year 2000 Qualifications Requirements" means that the internal computer systems
and each Constituent Component (as defined below) of those systems and all
computer-related products and each Constituent Component (as defined below) of
those products of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) have been
reviewed to confirm that they store, process (including sorting and performing
mathematical operations, calculations and computations), input and output data
containing date and information correctly regardless of whether the date
contains dates and times before, on or after January 1, 2000, (ii) have been
designated to ensure date and time entry recognition and calculations, and date
data interface values that reflect the century, (iii) accurately manage and
manipulate data involving dates and times, including single century formulas and
multi-century formulas, and will not cause an abnormal ending scenario within
the application or generate incorrect values or invalid results involving such
dates, (iv) accurately process any date rollover, and (v) accept and respond to
two-digit year date input in a manner that resolves any ambiguities as to the
century. "Constituent Component" means all software (including operating
systems, programs, packages and utilities), firmware, hardware, networking
components, and peripherals provided as part of the configuration. The Company
has inquired of material vendors as to their preparedness for the Year 2000 and
has disclosed in the Registration Statement, each preliminary prospectus and the
Prospectus any issues that might reasonably be expected to result in any
Material Adverse Change.
(z) 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.
(aa) 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.
(ab) INSURANCE. The Company and its subsidiaries are 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 and its
subsidiaries 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 or any subsidiary 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. Neither of the Company nor any
subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for
which it has applied.
(ac) LABOR MATTERS. To the best of Company's knowledge, no labor
disturbance by the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries 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, value
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added resellers, subcontractors, original equipment manufacturers, authorized
dealers or international distributors that might be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change.
(ad) 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 result in stabilization or manipulation of the
price of the Common Stock to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(ae) LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS. Each officer and director of the company and each
beneficial owner of one or more percent of the outstanding issued share capital
of the Company has agreed to sign an agreement substantially in the form
attached hereto as EXHIBIT A (the "Lock-up 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 or any similar market stand-off agreements currently existing
or hereafter effected without the prior written consent of BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Inc.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS. There are no business relationships or
related-party transactions involving the Company or any subsidiary 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.
ERISA COMPLIANCE. The Company and its subsidiaries and any "employee
benefit plan" (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder
(collectively, "ERISA")) established or maintained by the Company, or its
subsidiaries or its "ERISA Affiliates" (as defined below) are in compliance in
all material respects with ERISA. "ERISA Affiliate" means, with respect to the
Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations described in
Sections 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the "Code") of
which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No "reportable event" (as
defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with
respect to any "employee benefit plan" established or maintained by the Company,
its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No "employee benefit plan"
established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA
Affiliates, if such "employee benefit plan" were terminated, would have any
"amount of unfounded benefit liabilities" (as defined under ERISA). Neither the
Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or
reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with
respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any "employee benefit plan" or
(ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each "employee benefit plan"
established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or
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any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by
action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.
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
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 Stoel Rives
LLP, One Union Square, 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
00000 (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 its
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.
(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
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SCHEDULE A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of
Firm Shares and the Company agrees to sell 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 sold by the Company as set forth in the paragraph "Introductory" of this
Agreement). 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 its sole judgment, have 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 Representatives
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 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.
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SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
[A. 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.
(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
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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 or fail to 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 (i) obtain Directors and Officers
liability insurance in the minimum amount of $10 million which shall apply to
the offering contemplated hereby and (ii) shall cause BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Inc. to be added as an additional insured to such policy in respect of
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.
(h) USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale
of the Shares sold by it 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 September 30, 2000 that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act.
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(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 the Company may (i) 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.
(m) FUTURE REPORTS TO THE REPRESENTATIVES. During the period of five years
hereafter the Company will furnish to the Representatives (i) as soon as
practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of
the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of such
fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the Company's independent public
or certified public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable after the filing
thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report filed by the
Company with the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, LLC
or any securities exchange; and (iii) 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 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
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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 and its subsidiaries 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 Stoel Rives, 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
Washington 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.
(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, substantially in the form of Exhibit D 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
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP addressed to
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the Board of Directors of the Company and 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 Securities Act 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 two (2) 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 and its
subsidiaries 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. The Original Letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers, 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 PricewaterhouseCoopers, 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
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as described in SAS 71 on the financial
statements for each of the quarters in the five-quarter period ended March
31, 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
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP and you. In addition, you shall have received
from PricewaterhouseCoopers, 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 a Co-Chief Executive Officer and the 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
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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 in all material
respects conformed to the requirements of the Securities Act, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, did not and does 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 and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, (b)
any transaction that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries
considered as one enterprise, except transactions entered into in
the ordinary course of business, (c) any obligation, direct or
contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries
considered as one enterprise, incurred by the Company or its
subsidiaries, except obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (d) any change in the capital stock or outstanding
indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is
material to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, (e) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared,
paid or made on the capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or (f) any loss or damage (whether or not insured) to
the property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries 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 and its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.
(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 one or more percent of the outstanding issued share
capital of the Company.
(i) NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET LISTING. The Shares shall have been approved for
listing on the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of
issuance.
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(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
listing the Shares on the Nasdaq National Market, (ix) all costs and expenses
incident to the preparation and undertaking of "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,
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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 Section 15, 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.
(1) 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, 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, 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
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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, 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). 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
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 paragraph and the second, third,
fourth, eleventh and twelfth 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
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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.
(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
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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 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
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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) 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
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.
-23-
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, Washington 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.
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. 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.
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
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Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Company:
The Cobalt Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: (000) 000-0000
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 9 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.
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
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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 Table of Contents and the Section headings herein are for the convenience of
the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
-26-
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,
THE COBALT GROUP, INC.
By:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Co-Chief Executive Officer
WARBURG, XXXXXX EQUITY PARTNERS, L.P.
By:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Managing Director
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by
the Representatives as of the date first above written.
BANCBOSTON XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX INC.
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.
XX XXXXX SECURITIES CORPORATION
WIT CAPITAL CORPORATION
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
-27-
SCHEDULE A
Number of Firm Common
Underwriters Shares To be Purchased
------------ ----------------------
BANCBOSTON XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX INC...................
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.............................
XX XXXXX SECURITIES CORPORATION.....................
WIT CAPITAL CORPORATION ............................
Total..........................................
A-1
EXHIBIT A
LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
Bear, Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc.
XX Xxxxx Securities Corporation
Wit Capital Corporation
c/o BancBoston Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned is an owner of record or beneficially of certain shares of
Common Stock (the "Common Stock") of The Cobalt Group, Inc. (the "Company") 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
Shares acquired on the open market, (iv) with respect to sales or purchases of
Common Stock acquired on the open market or (v) 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
A-2
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 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.
This agreement is irrevocable and will be binding on the undersigned and
the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the
undersigned.
Very truly yours,
NAME:
PRINTED NAME OF HOLDER
BY:
SIGNATURE
PRINTED NAME OF PERSON SIGNING
(AND INDICATE CAPACITY OF PERSON SIGNING
IF SIGNING AS CUSTODIAN, TRUSTEE, OR ON
BEHALF OF AN ENTITY)
A-3
EXHIBIT B
MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN THE OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL
(i) The Company and each Significant Subsidiary (as that term is defined
in Regulation S-X of the Act) 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 and each Significant Subsidiary has the corporate power
and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
business as described in the Prospectus;
(iii) The Company and each Significant Subsidiary is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction,
if any, in which the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of
its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so
qualified or be in good standing would not 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 other than those
subsidiaries identified on Exhibit 21 of Item 16 of the Registration Statement;
(iv) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company
is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" as of the
dates stated therein, 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) All issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each
Significant Subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and, to such counsel's knowledge,
have not been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive right, co-sale
right, registration right, right of first refusal or other similar right and are
owned by the Company free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest,
encumbrance, claim or equitable interest;
(vi) 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 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.
(vii) 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;
(viii) This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Company and has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company and, assuming due
A-4
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;
(ix) 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;
(x) 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, the
Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder;
(xi) 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;
(xii) The information in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of
Capital Stock," to the extent that it constitutes matters of law or legal
conclusions, has been reviewed by such counsel and is a fair summary of such
matters and conclusions; and the forms of certificates evidencing the Common
Stock and filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement comply with Washington
law;
(xiii) The description in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and of statutes are
accurate and fairly present the information required to be presented by the
Securities Act;
(xiv) 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;
(xv) The performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated (other than performance of the Company's
indemnification obligations hereunder, concerning which no opinion need be
expressed) will not (a) result in any violation of the Company's charter or
bylaws or (b) to such counsel's knowledge, result in a material breach or
violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default
under, any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness, or any
lease, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, joint
venture or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel to which the
Company is a party or by which its properties are bound, or any applicable
statute, rule or regulation known to such
B-1
counsel or, to such counsel's knowledge, any order, writ or decree of any
court, government or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or over any of their properties or
operations;
(xvi) No consent, approval, authorization or order of or qualification
with any court, government or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or over any of their properties
or operations 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;
(xvii) To such counsel's knowledge, there are no legal or governmental
proceedings pending or threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries
of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus by the Securities Act, other than those described therein;
(xviii) To such counsel's knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is presently (a) in material violation of its respective charter or
bylaws, or (b) in material breach of any applicable statute, rule or regulation
known to such counsel or, to such counsel's knowledge, any order, writ or decree
of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, or over any of their properties or operations; and
(xix) 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, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, all holders of securities of the Company having rights known to such
counsel to registration of such shares of Company Shares or other securities,
because of the filing of the Registration Statement by the Company have, with
respect to the offering contemplated thereby, waived such rights or such rights
have expired by reason of lapse of time following notification of the Company's
intent to file the Registration Statement or have included securities in the
Registration Statement pursuant to the exercise of and in full satisfaction of
such rights.
(xx) 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.
(xxi) To such counsel's knowledge, the Company owns or possesses
sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights, copyrights, licenses,
approvals, trade secrets and other similar rights (collectively, "Intellectual
Property Rights") reasonably necessary to conduct their business as now
conducted; and the expected expiration of any such Intellectual Property Rights
would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of such counsel,
the Company has not received any notice of infringement or conflict with
asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others, which infringement or conflict,
if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse
B-2
Effect. To such counsel's knowledge, the Company's discoveries, inventions,
products, or processes referred to in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus do not infringe or conflict with any right or patent which is the
subject of a patent application known to the Company.
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 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 (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
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
B-3
EXHIBIT D
MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN THE OPINION OF UNDERWRITERS' COUNSEL
(i) The [Firm Shares] [Option Shares] 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 opinions
addressed to the Representatives from Stoel Rives, LLP, dated the date hereof,
and furnished to you in accordance with the provisions of the Underwriting
Agreement. Such opinion appears on their 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,
Company's Counsel, the Representatives 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 (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
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
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