EXHIBIT 10.2
[EXECUTION COPY]
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of
October 6, 2004, by and among Natural Health Trends Corp. a Florida corporation,
with headquarters located at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 (the
"COMPANY"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "BUYER" and collectively, the
"BUYERS").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with (i) the Securities Purchase Agreement
and (ii) the Subscription Agreements, by and among the Company and the parties
hereto of even date herewith (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENTS"), the Company has
agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreements,
to issue and sell to each Buyer units ("UNITS") consisting of (i) shares (the
"COMMON SHARES") of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
"COMMON STOCK"), and (ii) common stock purchase warrants (the "WARRANTS")
exercisable for shares of Common Stock (the "WARRANT SHARES");
B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Purchase
Agreements, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 ACT"), and
applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each
of the Buyers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than Saturday,
Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are
authorized or required by law to remain closed.
b. "INVESTOR" means a Buyer, any transferee or
assignee thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who
agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 9 and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or
assignee assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound
by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
c. "PERSON" means an individual, a limited liability
company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an
unincorporated organization and governmental or any department or agency
thereof. a.
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d. "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer
to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to
Rule 415 and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration
Statement(s) by the SEC.
e. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (i) the Common
Shares included in the Units, (ii) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants, and (iii) any shares of capital stock issued or
issuable with respect to the Common Shares, the Warrant Shares or the Warrants
as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or
similar event or otherwise.
f. REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration
statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act
covering the Registrable Securities.
g. "RULE 415" means Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or
any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed
basis.
h. "SEC" means the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreements.
2. Registration.
a. Initial Mandatory Registration. The Company shall
prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than 60 days after
the Closing Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreements) (the "FILING
DEADLINE"), file with the SEC the Registration Statement on Form S-1 covering
the resale of all Registrable Securities. The Registration Statement shall
contain (except if otherwise directed by the holders of at least a majority of
the Registrable Securities) the "Selling Stockholders" section in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and the "Plan of Distribution" section
attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company shall use its best efforts to have the
Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but
in no event later than the date which is 180 days after the Closing Date (the
"EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").
b. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial
number of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each
increase in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be
allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable
Securities held by each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering
such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is declared
effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers
any of such Investor's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be
allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable
Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any
shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain
allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered
by such Registration Statement shall be allocated to the remaining Investors,
pro rata based on the number of
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Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such
Registration Statement. The Company may include Company securities held by other
security holders on any Registration Statement without the prior written consent
of Buyers.
c. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the
Buyers holding at least a majority of the Registrable Securities shall have the
right to select one legal counsel to review and oversee any registration
pursuant to this Section 2 ("LEGAL COUNSEL"), which shall be Xxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx
PLC, or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the holders of at least a
majority of the Registrable Securities. The Company and Legal Counsel shall
reasonably cooperate with each other in performing the Company's obligations
under this Agreement.
d. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain
Effectiveness of Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement
covering all the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby and
required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement is not declared
effective by the SEC on or before the Effectiveness Deadline or (ii) on any day
after such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC sales
of all the Registrable Securities required to be included on such Registration
Statement cannot be made (other than during an Allowable Grace Period (as
defined in Section 3(l)) pursuant to such Registration Statement (including,
without limitation, because of a failure to keep such Registration Statement
effective, to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made
pursuant to such Registration Statement or to register sufficient shares of
Common Stock), then, as full and entire relief for any damages to any holder by
reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell any Registrable
Securities, the Company shall pay to each holder of Registrable Securities an
amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the Purchase Price paid by such Buyer
(as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreements) multiplied by (ii) 0.005.
The payment to which a holder shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(d) is
referred to herein as a "REGISTRATION DELAY PAYMENT." A Registration Delay
Payment shall be paid on the last day of the calendar quarter during which such
Registration Delay Payment is incurred. In the event the Company fails to make a
Registration Delay Payment in a timely manner, such Registration Delay Payment
shall bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum until paid in full. A
Registration Delay Payment due and owing by the Company to an Investor shall be
Investor's sole remedy for a breach by the Company of its obligations under
Section 2 of this Agreement.
3. Related Obligations.
At such time as the Company is obligated to file a
Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), the Company will
use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the
Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition
thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall submit to the SEC, within ten
(10) Business Days after the Company learns that no review of the Registration
Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff has no further
comments on the Registration Statement, as the case may be, a request for
acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date
not later than 48 hours after the submission of such request. The Company shall
keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times
until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the
Registrable Securities covered by such
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Registration Statement without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or successor
thereto) promulgated under the 1933 Act or (ii) the date on which the Investors
shall have sold all the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD").
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC
such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during
such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such
Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities
shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration
Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement
which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to
this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form
10-Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), the Company shall have incorporated such
report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall
file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the
1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend
or supplement such Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to
review and comment upon (i) a Registration Statement at least five (5) days
prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to all
Registration Statements (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and any similar or
successor reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with
the SEC, and (B) not file any Registration Statement or amendment or supplement
thereto in a form to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall
not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of
Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company
shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) copies of any correspondence
from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives
relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) promptly after the same is prepared
and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement and any
amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all
documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, and
all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one
copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with
Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations pursuant to this Section
3.
d. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose
Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without
charge, (i) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, five (5)
copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such
Investor may reasonably request) and (ii) such other documents, including copies
of any
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preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from
time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Investor.
e. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i)
register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification
applies, the resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of all
applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify
Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt
by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose.
f. The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each
Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable
after becoming aware of such event, as a result of which the prospectus included
in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of
a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no
event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and,
subject to Section 3(l), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such
Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver
ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each
Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may
reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and
each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such
effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile
on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any
request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or
related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable
determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would
be appropriate.
g. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent
the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a
Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or
suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at
the earliest possible moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who
holds Registrable Securities
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being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its
receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such
purpose.
h. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make
any disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company
unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or
state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to
avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii)
the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other
final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of
such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or
governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt
written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.
i. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who
hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable,
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any
restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered
pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such
denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably
request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.
j. The Company shall use its best efforts to comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder.
k. Within five (5) Business Days after a Registration
Statement which covers Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC,
the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to
deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to
the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
l. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
at any time after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
SEC, the Company may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information
concerning the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good
faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company and its counsel, in the
best interest of the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company,
otherwise required (a "GRACE PERIOD"); provided, that the Company shall promptly
(i) notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material, non-public
information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each notice the
Company will not disclose the content of such material, non-public information
to the Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin, and (ii)
notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and,
provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed forty-five (45) consecutive
days (an "ALLOWABLE GRACE PERIOD") and during any three hundred sixty-five (365)
day period there shall be no more than two (2) Allowable Grace Periods.
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4. Obligations of the Investors.
a. At least seven (7) Business Days prior to the
first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall
notify each Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from
each such Investor if such Investor elects to have any of such Investor's
Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. It shall be a
condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the
registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable
Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the
Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it
and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it
as shall be reasonably required to effect the effectiveness of the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of
the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any
Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company
in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's
Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
c. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 3(g) or the first sentence of 3(f), such Investor will immediately
discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration
Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt
of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section
3(g) or the first sentence of 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or
amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company
shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a
transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase
Agreements in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to
which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's
receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind
described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of 3(f) and for which the
Investor has not yet settled.
5. Expenses of Registration.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company.
The Company shall also reimburse the Investors for the fees and disbursements of
Legal Counsel in connection with registration, filing or qualification pursuant
to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall be limited to $5,000
for the Registration Statement.
6. Indemnification.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a
Registration Statement under this Agreement:
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a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the
Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each
Investor, the directors, officers, members, partners, employees, agents,
representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within
the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"),
against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties,
charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or
expenses, joint or several, (collectively, "CLAIMS") incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding,
investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or
governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC,
whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be
a party thereto ("INDEMNIFIED DAMAGES"), to which any of them may become subject
insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or
threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in
connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other
"blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered
("BLUE SKY FILING"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the
effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final
prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which the statements therein
were made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the
Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without
limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder
relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement or (iv) any material violation of this Agreement (the
matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively,
"VIOLATIONS"). Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall reimburse the
Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and
payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified
Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such
Indemnified Person for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection
with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof
or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the
Company pursuant to Section 3(d); (ii) with respect to any preliminary
prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such Person from whom the
Person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities that are
the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any Person controlling such Person) if
the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary
prospectus was corrected in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if
such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section
3(d), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the
incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation and such
Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it or failed to deliver
the correct prospectus as required by the 1933 Act and such correct prospectus
was timely made available pursuant to Section 3(d); (iii)
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shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the
Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by
the Company, including a corrected prospectus, if such prospectus or corrected
prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d);
and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such
settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in
which an Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and
not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the
same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors,
each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act
(each, an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to
which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or
otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are
based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent,
that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in
connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such
Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by an
Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim;
provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b)
and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected
without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that the Investor
shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or
Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall
survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to
Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party
if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as
then amended or supplemented.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or
Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any
action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving
a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in
respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section
6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement
thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and,
to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof
with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified
Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such
Indemnified
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Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the
reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In the case of an
Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at least two-thirds in
interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to
which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall
cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation
or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall
furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim.
The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person
reasonably apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any
settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be
liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without
its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall
not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party
shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other
compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by
the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a
release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation. Following
indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be
subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with
respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for
which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to
the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such
action.
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6
shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of
the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified
Damages are incurred.
e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be
in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party
or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any
liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. Contribution.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 0000 Xxx) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution
from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of fraudulent
10
misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities
shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller
from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement.
8. Reports Under the 1934 Act.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits
of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or
regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell
securities of the Company to the public without registration ("RULE 144"), the
Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as
those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports
and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act
so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood
that nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of
the Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor
owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by
the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of
Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual
or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed
by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested
to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without
registration.
9. Assignment of Registration Rights.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically
assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of such
Investor's Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with
the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement
is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii)
the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment,
furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or
assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights
are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or
assignment the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or
assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws;
(iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated
by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing
with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v)
such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Purchase Agreements, as applicable.
10. Amendment of Registration Rights.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only
11
with the written consent of the Company and Investors who then hold at least a
majority of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in
accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the
Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to
less than all of the holders of the Registrable Securities. No consideration
shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or
modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same
consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
11. Miscellaneous.
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable
Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such
Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions,
notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same
Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions,
notice or election received from the such record owner of such Registrable
Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other
communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this
Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon
receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile
(provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically
generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one Business Day
after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each
case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and
facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Natural Health Trends Corp.
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000)000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Berlack Israels LLP
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
12
If to Legal Counsel:
Xxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx PLC
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: J. Page Davidson, Esq.
If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule of
Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives as set forth
on the Schedule of Buyers, or to such other address and/or facsimile number
and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has
specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the
effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the
recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B)
mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine
containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first
page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier
service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile
or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance
with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or
remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such
right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. All questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by
the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice
of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or
any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably
submits to the non- exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts
sitting The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any
dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated
hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to
assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally
subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or
proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit,
action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal
service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action
or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such
notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute
good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained
herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any
manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that
jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION
OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION
13
HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, the Purchase Agreements, the
Warrant and the instruments referenced herein and therein constitute the entire
agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other
than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Warrant and the instruments referenced herein
and therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted
successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall
constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party,
may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy
of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this
Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be
done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and
deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as
any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
j. All consents and other determinations required to
be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless
otherwise specified in this Agreement, by Investors holding at least a majority
of the Registrable Securities, determined as if all of the Warrants held by
Investors then outstanding have been exercised for Registrable Securities.
k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed
to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no
rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
l. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not
for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other
Person.
* * * * * *
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused this
Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.
COMPANY: BUYERS:
NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP. [NAME]
By:________________________________
By:_____________________________ Name:
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Title:
Title: President
15
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
INVESTOR ADDRESS INVESTOR'S REPRESENTATIVE'S ADDRESS
INVESTOR AND FACSIMILE NUMBER AND FACSIMILE NUMBER
-------- -------------------- --------------------
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Re: Natural Health Trends Corp.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Natural Health Trends Corp., a Florida
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and have represented the Company in connection with
that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT")
entered into by and among the Company and the buyers named therein
(collectively, the "HOLDERS") pursuant to which on October 6, 2004 the Company
issued to the Holders units consisting of shares (the "COMMON SHARES") of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), and
common stock purchase warrants ("WARRANTS") exercisable for shares of Common
Stock (the "WARRANT SHARES"). Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders
(the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company agreed,
among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement), including the Common Shares and Warrant Shares,
as amended (the "1933 ACT"). In connection with the Company's obligations under
the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 200_, the Company filed
a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-_____________) (the
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as
a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member
of the SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
XXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXX ISRAELS LLP
By:____________________________
Name:
Title:
CC: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]
A-1
EXHIBIT B
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders
are shares of common stock, and shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
the warrants which were sold by the Company in a private placement transaction.
[Add description of sales by selling stockholders having piggyback registration
rights from the MarketVision transaction] For additional information regarding
the common shares and warrants, see "Private Placement of Units" above. We are
registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling
stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the
ownership of the shares and warrants, the selling stockholders have not had any
material relationship with us within the past three years.
The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information
regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock by each of the selling
stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock
beneficially owned by each selling stockholder, based on its ownership of the
common shares and warrants, as of _____ __, 200_, assuming exercise of all
warrants held by the selling stockholders on that date, without regard to any
limitations on warrants exercise.
The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this
prospectus by the selling stockholders.
In accordance with the terms of registration rights agreements with the
holders of the Company's shares of common stock and warrants, this prospectus
generally covers the resale of a number of shares of common stock equal to the
number of shares of common stock issued to the selling stockholders plus the
number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants,
determined as if the outstanding warrants were exercised in full, as of the
trading day immediately preceding the date this registration statement was
initially filed with the SEC. Because the exercise price of the warrants may be
adjusted for anti-dilution protection, the number of shares that will actually
be issued may be more or less than the number of shares being offered by this
prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by
the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in
this offering. See "Plan of Distribution."
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES
NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO THIS NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED
NAME OF SELLING STOCKHOLDER PRIOR TO OFFERING PROSPECTUS AFTER OFFERING
--------------------------- ----------------- ---------- --------------
[___] [___] [0]
[Other Buyers] [___] [___] [0]
B-1
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the shares of common stock owned by the selling
stockholders, and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the
warrants owned by the selling stockholders, to permit the resale of these shares
of common stock by the holders from time to time after the date of this
prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling
stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses
incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.
The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of
common stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time
directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the
shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the
selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or
commissions or agent's commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in
one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the
time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at
negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may
involve crosses or block transactions,
- on any national securities exchange or quotation service on
which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of
sale,
- in the over-the-counter market,
- in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems
or in the over-the-counter market,
- through the writing of options, whether such options are
listed on an options exchange or otherwise,
- ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
- block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell
the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of
the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
- purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account;
- an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
- privately negotiated transactions;
- through the settlement of short sales
- pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
B-2
- broker-dealers may agree with the selling securityholders to
sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price
per share
- a combination of any such methods of sale; and
- any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares
of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or
commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act
as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or
commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in
excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection
with sales of the common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter
into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short
sales of the common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The
selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver
shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions.
The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to
broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in
some or all of the warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they
default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured
parties may offer and sell the warrants or shares of common stock from time to
time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule
424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the
pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders
under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the
shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees,
donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial
owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the
distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any
discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a
particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus
supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate
amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering,
including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts,
commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling
stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed
or paid to broker-dealers.
Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock
may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold
unless such shares have been registered or qualified for
B-3
sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is
available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or
all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the shelf registration
statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such
distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including,
without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing
of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling
stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict
the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common
stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common
stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common
stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the shares of common stock.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common
stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, estimated to be $[ ] in
total, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing
fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or "blue sky" laws;
provided, however, that a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting
discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling
stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the
Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights agreements, or the
selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by
the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us
by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in
accordance with the related registration rights agreements, or we may be
entitled to contribution.
Once sold under the shelf registration statement, of which this
prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in
the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
B-4
