REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT Dated as of March 13, 2007 between Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. and Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS
EXECUTION COPY
Dated as of March 13, 2007
between
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
and
Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of March 13, 2007 (this “Agreement”), between
NORSK HYDRO PRODUKSJON AS, a company organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Norway (“Norsk
Hydro”, and together with its permitted assignees, “Selling Shareholder”), and ASCENT
SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
(“ASTI”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, ASTI and Norsk Hydro are entering into a Securities Purchase
Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not defined in
this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Securities Purchase Agreement),
pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, Norsk Hydro will acquire,
on the date hereof, 1,600,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common
Shares”), of ASTI (the “ASTI Shares”) and will have the option to acquire, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, including the Stockholder Approval,
up to 35% of the Common Shares, Class A Warrants and Class B Warrants of ASTI (the
“Investment”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Investment, ASTI has agreed to provide Norsk Hydro certain
registration rights with respect to its ASTI Shares; and
WHEREAS, certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements and covenants
hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement:
“affiliate” of a specified person means a person who, directly or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such
specified person.
“control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control
with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, or as trustee or executor, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract, credit arrangement or
otherwise, including the ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect
a majority of the board of directors or similar body governing the affairs of such person.
“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“NASD” means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or any successor
entity thereof.
“person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited
liability company, syndicate, person (including a “person” or “group” each within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or entity or government, political
subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government.
“Registrable Securities” means all and any Xxxxxxx 0 Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 2 Shares and the
Common Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Initial Warrants and the Option Warrants
held by Selling Shareholder (including any securities issuable or issued or distributed in respect
of any such Purchased Securities by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a
combination of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or
otherwise). For purposes of this Agreement, Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when (i) a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities has been declared
effective under the Securities Act by the SEC and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of
pursuant to such effective Registration Statement, (ii) the entire amount of the Registrable
Securities proposed to be sold by Selling Shareholder in a single sale, in the opinion of counsel
satisfactory to ASTI and Selling Shareholder, each in their reasonable judgment, may be distributed
to the public in the United States pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision then in effect)
under the Securities Act in any three-month period, (iii) any such Registrable Securities have been
sold in a sale made pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision then in effect) under the
Securities Act or (iv) the Registrable Securities are saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act.
“Registration Expenses” means all expenses in connection with or incident to the
registration of Registrable Securities hereunder, including (a) all SEC and any NASD registration
and filing fees and expenses, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the registration or
qualification of Registrable Securities for offering and sale under the securities or “blue sky”
laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States of America and, in the case of an
underwritten offering, determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such
jurisdictions as the managing underwriter or underwriters may reasonably designate, including
reasonable fees and disbursements, if any, of counsel for the underwriters in connection with such
registrations or qualifications and determination, (c) all expenses relating to the preparation,
printing, distribution and reproduction of any Registration Statement required to be filed
hereunder, each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each
amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing Registrable Securities in a
form for delivery for purchase pursuant to such registration or qualification and the expense of
printing or producing any underwriting agreement(s) and agreement(s) among underwriters and any
“blue sky” or legal investment memoranda, any selling agreements and all other documents approved
for use in writing by ASTI to be used in connection with the offering, sale or delivery of
Registrable Securities, (d) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of ASTI and out-of-pocket
travel expenses incurred by or for ASTI’s personnel for travel undertaken for any “road show” made
in connection with the offering of securities registered
thereby, (e) fees and expenses of any transfer agent and registrar with respect to the
delivery of any Registrable Securities and any escrow agent or custodian involved in the offering,
(f) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel of ASTI and independent certified public
accountants of
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ASTI incurred in connection with the registration, qualification and offering of the
Registrable Securities (including the expenses of any opinions or “comfort” letters required by or
incident to such performance and compliance), (g) fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and
any other persons retained by ASTI, including special experts retained by ASTI in connection with
such registration, (h) Securities Act liability insurance, if ASTI desires such insurance and (i)
the fees and expenses incurred by ASTI and its advisers in connection with the quotation or listing
of Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or automated securities quotation system. Any
brokerage commissions attributable to the sale of any of the Registrable Securities, and any
commissions, fees, discounts or, except as specified in the immediately preceding sentence,
expenses of any underwriter or placement agent incurred in connection with an offering of
securities registered in accordance with this Agreement and any fees and expenses of any counsel or
other advisors to Selling Shareholder and any other out-of-pocket expenses of Selling Shareholder
shall not be “Registration Expenses.”
“Registration Statement” means a Demand Registration Statement or a Piggy-Back
Registration Statement, as the case may be.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor
thereto.
“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) The following terms have the meaning set forth in the Sections set forth below:
Term | Section | |
Agreement |
Preamble | |
ASTI |
Preamble | |
ASTI Shares |
Recitals | |
Blackout Period |
4 | |
Common Shares |
Recitals | |
Demand Registration |
2(a) | |
Demand Registration Statement |
2(a) | |
Indemnified Party |
8(c) | |
Indemnifying Party |
8(c) | |
Investment |
Recitals | |
Maximum Number of Securities |
3(c) | |
Norsk Hydro |
Preamble | |
Piggy-Back Registration |
3(a) | |
Piggy-Back Registration Statement |
3(a) | |
Securities Purchase Agreement |
Recitals | |
Selling Shareholder |
Preamble |
(c) Interpretation and Rules of Construction. In this Agreement, except to the extent
otherwise provided or that the context otherwise requires:
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(i) The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and do not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement;
(ii) Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this
Agreement, they are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;
(iii) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when
used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement;
(iv) The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well
as the plural forms of such terms;
(v) References to a person are also to its successors and permitted assigns; and
(vi) The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated
otherwise.
2. Demand Registration.
(a) At any time after the twelve (12) month anniversary of the date of the Securities Purchase
Agreement, after receipt of a written request from Selling Shareholder requesting that ASTI effect
a registration (a “Demand Registration”) under the Securities Act covering at least 250,000
shares of the Registrable Securities, and which notice shall specify the number of Registrable
Securities for which registration is requested and the intended method or methods of distribution
thereof, ASTI shall, as soon as practicable, but in any event no later than forty-five (45) days
(excluding any days which occur during a permitted Blackout Period under Section 4 below)
after receipt of such written request, file with the SEC and use its reasonable best efforts to
cause to be declared effective, a registration statement (a “Demand Registration
Statement”) relating to all of the Registrable Securities that ASTI has been so requested to
register for sale, to the extent required to permit the disposition (in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution thereof) of the Registrable Securities so registered.
(b) If the Demand Registration relates to an underwritten public offering and the managing
underwriter of such proposed public offering advises ASTI and Selling Shareholder that, in its
opinion, the number of securities requested to be included in the Demand Registration (including
securities to be sold by ASTI or any other security holder) exceeds the number which can be sold in
such offering within an acceptable price range, then ASTI shall include in such Demand Registration
first, the Registrable Securities Selling Shareholder proposes to register, and
second, any securities ASTI proposed to register. ASTI shall not hereafter enter into any
agreement which is inconsistent with the rights of priority provided in this Section 2(b).
(c) Selling Shareholder shall be entitled to an aggregate of three (3) registrations of
Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2; provided, that a registration
requested pursuant to this Section 2 shall not be deemed to have been effected for purposes
of this Section 2(c) unless (i) it has been declared effective by the SEC, (ii) it has
remained effective for the period set forth in Section 5(a) and (iii) the offering of
Registrable Securities
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pursuant to such registration is not subject to any stop order, injunction
or other order or requirement of the SEC.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, ASTI shall not be required to
prepare and file (i) more than one (1) Demand Registration Statement in any twelve-month period, or
(ii) any Demand Registration Statement within 120 days following the date of effectiveness of any
other Registration Statement.
3. Piggy-Back Registration.
(a) If ASTI proposes to file on its behalf and/or on behalf of any holder of its securities
(other than a holder of Registrable Securities) a registration statement under the Securities Act
on any form (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or any successor form) for
securities to be offered in a transaction of the type referred to in Rule 145 under the Securities
Act or to employees of ASTI pursuant to any employee benefit plan, respectively) for the
registration of ASTI Shares (a “Piggy-Back Registration”), it shall give written notice to
Selling Shareholder at least thirty (30) days before the initial filing with the SEC of such
piggy-back registration statement (a “Piggy-Back Registration Statement”), which notice
shall set forth the number of ASTI Shares ASTI and other holders, if any, then contemplate
including in such registration and the intended method of disposition of such ASTI Shares. The
notice shall offer to include in such filing the aggregate number of Registrable Securities as
Selling Shareholder may request.
(b) If Selling Shareholder desires to have Registrable Securities registered under this
Section 3, it shall advise ASTI in writing within ten (10) days after the date of receipt
of such offer from ASTI of its desire to have Registrable Securities registered under this
Section 3, and shall set forth the number of Registrable Securities for which registration
is requested. ASTI shall thereupon include, or in the case of a proposed underwritten public
offering, use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters to
permit such Selling Shareholder to include, in such filing the number of Registrable Securities for
which registration is so requested by Selling Shareholder, subject to paragraph (c) below, and
shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect registration of such Registrable Securities under
the Securities Act. Any withdrawal of the registration statement by ASTI for any reason shall
constitute and effect an automatic withdrawal of any Piggy-Back Registration related thereto.
(c) If the Piggy-Back Registration relates to an underwritten public offering and the managing
underwriter of such proposed public offering advises ASTI and Selling Shareholder in writing that,
in its opinion, the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Piggy-Back
Registration in addition to the securities being registered by ASTI or any other security holder
would be greater than the total number of securities which can be sold
in the offering without having a material adverse effect on the distribution of such
securities or otherwise having a material adverse effect on the marketability thereof (the
“Maximum Number of Securities”), then:
(i) in the event ASTI initiated the Piggy-Back Registration, ASTI shall include in such
Piggy-Back Registration first, the securities ASTI proposes to register and
second, the securities of all other selling security holders, including Selling
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Shareholder, to be included in such Piggy-Back Registration in an amount that together with
the securities ASTI proposes to register, shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities,
such amount to be allocated among such selling security holders on a pro rata basis (based
on the number of securities of ASTI held by each such selling security holder); and
(ii) in the event any holder of securities of ASTI initiated the Piggy-Back
Registration, ASTI shall include in such Piggy-Back Registration first, the
securities such initiating security holder proposes to register, second, the
securities of any other selling security holders (including Selling Shareholder), in an
amount that together with the securities the initiating security holder proposes to
register, shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities, such amount to be allocated
among such other selling security holders on a pro rata basis (based on the number of
securities of ASTI held by each such selling security holder) and third, any
securities ASTI proposes to register, in an amount that together with the securities the
initiating security holder and the other selling security holders propose to register, shall
not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities.
(d) ASTI shall not hereafter enter into any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights of
priority provided in Section 3(c).
(e) The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it
under this Section 3 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any
Selling Shareholder has elected to include securities in such registration. The Registration
Expenses of any such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company.
4. Blackout Periods. ASTI shall have the right to delay the filing or effectiveness
of a Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof during no
more than two (2) periods aggregating to not more than ninety (90) days in any twelve-month period
(each, a “Blackout Period”), in the event that (i) ASTI would, in accordance with the
advice of its counsel, be required to disclose in the prospectus material non-public information
that ASTI has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential and that is not otherwise
then required by law to be publicly disclosed, (ii) ASTI determines that the prospectus requires
amendment or supplement due to the happening of any event that comes to the attention of ASTI and
as a result of which the prospectus would contain an 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, in
light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading or (iii) in the good faith
judgment of ASTI’s board of directors, there is a reasonable likelihood that disclosure of material
non-public information, or any other action to be taken in connection with the prospectus, would
materially and adversely affect or interfere with any financing, acquisition, merger, disposition
of assets (not in the ordinary course of business), corporate reorganization or other material
transaction or negotiations involving ASTI; provided, however, that (A) Selling
Shareholder shall be entitled, at any time after receiving notice of such delay and before such
Demand Registration Statement becomes effective, to withdraw such request and, if such request is
withdrawn, such Demand Registration shall not count as one of the permitted Demand Registrations
and (B) ASTI shall delay during such Blackout Period the filing or effectiveness of any
Registration Statement required pursuant to the registration rights of other holders of any
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securities of ASTI. ASTI shall promptly give Selling Shareholder written notice of such
determination containing a general statement of the reasons for such postponement and an
approximation of the anticipated delay. After the expiration of any Blackout Period (including
upon public disclosure of the material non-public information that was the reason for such Blackout
Period) and without any further request from Selling Shareholder, ASTI shall promptly notify
Selling Shareholder and shall use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC the
requisite Registration Statement or such amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement
or prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to cause such Registration Statement
to become effective as promptly as practicable thereafter.
5. Registration Procedures. If ASTI is required by the provisions of Section
2 or 3 to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any of its
securities under the Securities Act, ASTI shall, as soon as practicable, and in the case of a
Demand Registration no later than sixty (60) days (excluding any days that fall during a permitted
Blackout Period under Section 4) after receipt of a written request for a Demand
Registration:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such
securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to
become effective as promptly as practicable and to remain effective for a period of time
required for the disposition of such Registrable Securities by Selling Shareholder but not
to exceed sixty (60) days excluding any days that fall during a permitted Blackout Period
under Section 4; provided, however, that before filing such
Registration Statement or any amendments or supplements thereto, ASTI shall furnish to
counsel selected by Selling Shareholder copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which
documents shall be subject to the review of and comment by such counsel;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration
Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
with respect to the sale or other disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement until the earlier of such time as all ASTI Shares held by Selling Shareholder
cease to be Registered Securities and the expiration of sixty (60) days (excluding any days
that fall during a permitted Blackout Period under Section 4);
(c) furnish to Selling Shareholder and each underwriter, if any, of the Registrable
Securities being sold by Selling Shareholder such number of conformed copies of the
applicable Registration Statement and each such amendment and supplement thereto (including
in each case all exhibits), such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus)
and any other prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and
such other documents, as Selling Shareholder and such underwriter, if any, may reasonably
request;
(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities
or other securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States and its territories
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and possessions as Selling Shareholder and any underwriter of the Registrable Securities being
sold by Selling Shareholder shall reasonably request, to keep such registration or
qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect or
until all of the Registrable Securities are sold, whichever is shorter, and to take any
other action which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable Selling Shareholder
and such underwriter to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities
owned by Selling Shareholder (provided, however, that ASTI shall not be
required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business as a
foreign corporation, subject itself to taxation in or to file a general consent to service
of process in any jurisdiction where it would not, but for the requirements of this
paragraph (d), be obligated to do so) and do such other reasonable acts and things as may be
required of it to enable Selling Shareholder and such underwriter to consummate the
disposition in such jurisdiction of the securities covered by such Registration Statement;
(e) (i) furnish, at the request of Selling Shareholder, a signed counterpart, addressed
to Selling Shareholder and the underwriters, if any, of an opinion of counsel representing
ASTI in connection with such registration, dated the effective date of such Registration
Statement (or, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, opinions dated
the date of the closing(s) under the underwriting agreement) covering such matters as are
customary in connection with such registered offering of securities by ASTI, reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to Selling Shareholder and (ii) use its reasonable best
efforts to furnish, at the request of Selling Shareholder, a signed counterpart, addressed
to Selling Shareholder and the underwriters, if any, of a “comfort” letter, dated the
effective date of such Registration Statement (and, if such registration includes an
underwritten public offering, letters of like kind dated the date the offering is priced and
the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), signed by the independent public
accountants who have certified ASTI’s financial statements included in such Registration
Statement covering substantially the same matters with respect to such Registration
Statement (and the prospects included therein) and, with respect to events subsequent to the
date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered in accountants’ letters
delivered to the underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities, including that
in the opinion of such accountants, the financial statements and other financial data of
ASTI included in such Registration Statement, prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act;
(f) enter, only with respect to Demand Registrations relating to an underwritten public
offering, into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement containing
representations, warranties and indemnities in customary form) and take such other actions
as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities;
(g) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC;
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(h) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be
listed on each securities exchange or quotation system on which ASTI Shares are listed or
traded;
(i) give written notice to Selling Shareholder:
(i) when such Registration Statement, the prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto has been filed with the SEC and when such Registration Statement
or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;
(ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such
Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional
information;
(iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of such Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose;
(iv) of the receipt by ASTI or its legal counsel of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification of ASTI Shares for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;
and
(v) of the happening of any event that requires ASTI to make changes in such
Registration Statement or such prospectus in order to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading (which notice
shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of such prospectus until
the requisite changes have been made);
(j) use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance or obtain the withdrawal of
any order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement at the earliest
possible time;
(k) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 5(i)(v) above,
promptly prepare a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement
to the related prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to Selling Shareholder, the prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. If ASTI notifies Selling Shareholder in accordance with Section 5(i)(v)
above to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus
have been made, then Selling Shareholder shall suspend use of such prospectus and use its
reasonable best efforts to return to ASTI all copies of such prospectus other than permanent
file copies then in Selling Shareholder’s possession, and the period of effectiveness of
such Registration Statement provided for above shall be extended by the number of days from
and including the date of the giving of such notice to the date
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Selling Shareholder shall
have received such amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to this Section 5(k);
(l) make reasonably available for inspection by representatives of Selling Shareholder,
any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement,
and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such representative or any such
underwriter all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties of ASTI and cause ASTI’s officers, directors and employees to supply all relevant
information reasonably requested by such representative or any such underwriter, attorney,
accountant or agent in connection with the registration;
(m) in connection with any underwritten offering, make appropriate officers and senior
executives of ASTI available to the selling security holders for meetings with prospective
purchasers of Registrable Securities and prepare and present to potential investors
customary “road show” material in each case in accordance with the recommendations of the
underwriters and in all respects in a manner reasonably requested and consistent with other
new issuances of securities in an offering of a similar size to such offering of the
Registrable Securities; and
(n) use reasonable best efforts to procure the cooperation of ASTI’s transfer agent in
settling any offering or sale of Registrable Securities, including with respect to the
transfer of physical stock certificates into book-entry form in accordance with any
procedures reasonably requested by Selling Shareholder or the underwriters, if any.
It shall be a condition precedent to the obligation of ASTI to take any action pursuant to
this Agreement in respect of the Registrable Securities which are to be registered at the request
of Selling Shareholder that Selling Shareholder shall furnish to ASTI such information regarding
the Registrable Securities held by Selling Shareholder and the intended method of distribution
thereof as ASTI shall reasonably request and as shall be required in connection with the action
taken by ASTI.
6. Expenses. All Registration Expenses shall be paid by ASTI, except that Selling
Shareholder shall bear and pay any (a) brokerage commissions attributable to the sale of any of the
Registrable Securities, (b) underwriting commissions and discounts applicable to securities offered
for its account in connection with any registrations, filings and qualifications made pursuant to
this Agreement, (c) fees and expenses incurred in respect of counsel or other advisors to Selling
Shareholder and (d) any other out-of-pocket expenses of Selling Shareholder.
7. Rule 144 Information. With a view to making available the benefits of certain
rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable
Securities to the public without registration, ASTI agrees to:
(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(b) use its best efforts to file with or furnish to the SEC in a timely manner all
reports and other documents required of ASTI under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;
and
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(c) furnish to Selling Shareholder forthwith upon request a written statement by ASTI
as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 under the Exchange Act and
of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of ASTI, and such other reports and documents so filed or furnished by ASTI as
Selling Shareholder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of
the SEC allowing Selling Shareholder to sell any Registrable Securities without
registration.
8. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) ASTI shall indemnify and hold harmless Selling Shareholder, Selling Shareholder’s
directors and officers, each agent and any underwriter for ASTI (within the meaning of the
Securities Act), and each person, if any, who controls Selling Shareholder or such agent or
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which they may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or proceedings in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based on any untrue or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in a Registration Statement on the effective date thereof (including any prospectus filed
under Rule 424 under the Securities Act or any amendments or supplements thereto), or any document
incorporated by reference therein, or arise out of or are 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, and shall reimburse each of Selling Shareholder, Selling
Shareholder’s directors and officers, such agent or underwriter or such controlling person for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending
any such loss, claim, damage, liability, proceeding or action; provided, however,
that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(a) shall not apply to amounts paid
in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, proceeding or action if such settlement
is effected without the consent of ASTI (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed); provided further that ASTI shall not be liable to Selling Shareholder,
such Selling Shareholder’s directors and officers, such agent or underwriter or such controlling
person in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it
arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission
made in connection with a Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or
amendments or supplements thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by Selling Shareholder, such
Selling Shareholder’s directors or officers, such agent or underwriter or such controlling person
or by such Selling Shareholder’s failure to furnish ASTI, upon request, with the information with
respect to Selling Shareholder or any participating person that is the subject of the untrue
statement or omission. ASTI shall not, without the consent of Selling Shareholder (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding or action in respect of which Selling Shareholder is a party and indemnity has been
sought hereunder by Selling Shareholder, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
of Selling Shareholder from all liability for claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding
or action. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of Selling Shareholder, Selling Shareholder’s directors and officers, such
agent or underwriter or such controlling person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities
by Selling Shareholder.
11
(b) Selling Shareholder shall indemnify and hold harmless ASTI, each of its directors and
officers, each person, if any, who controls ASTI within the meaning of the Securities Act, and each
agent and any underwriter for ASTI (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which ASTI or any such director, officer,
controlling person, agent or underwriter may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or proceedings in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in a Registration Statement on the effective date thereof (including any prospectus filed
under Rule 424 under the Securities Act or any amendments or supplements thereto) or arise out of
or are 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 such Registration Statement, preliminary or final prospectus, or
amendments or supplements thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by or on behalf of Selling Shareholder expressly for use in connection with such
registration, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto; and
Selling Shareholder shall reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by ASTI or any
such director, officer, controlling person, agent or underwriter in connection with investigating
or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however,
that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(b) shall not apply to amounts paid
in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected
without the consent of Selling Shareholder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), and provided further that the liability of Selling Shareholder hereunder
shall be limited to the aggregate net proceeds received by Selling Shareholder in connection with
any offering to which such registration under the Securities Act relates. Selling Shareholder
shall not, without the consent of ASTI (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding or action in respect of
which ASTI is a party and indemnity has been sought hereunder by ASTI, unless such settlement
includes an unconditional release of ASTI from all liability for claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding or action.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 from the indemnifying party
(the “Indemnifying Party”) is unavailable to any person entitled to indemnification
hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses referred to therein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying the
Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party in
connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the
Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or
relates to information supplied by, the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party, and the
parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such
12
party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. If
the allocation provided in this paragraph (c) is not permitted by applicable law, the parties shall
contribute based upon the relevant benefits received by ASTI from the offering of securities on the
one hand and the net proceeds received by Selling Shareholder from the sale of securities on the
other.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to
this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph. 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.
(d) The Indemnified Party agrees to give prompt written notice to the Indemnifying Party after
the receipt by the Indemnified Party of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which the Indemnified Party
intends to claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement; provided, that
the failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any
liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party hereunder unless such failure is materially
prejudicial to the Indemnifying Party. If notice of commencement of any such action is given to
the Indemnifying Party as above provided, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate
in and, to the extent it may wish, to assume the defense of such action at its own expense, with
counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party
shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense
thereof, but the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by the Indemnified
Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay the same, (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails
to assume the defense of such action or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any
impleaded parties) have been advised by such counsel that either (A) representation of such
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under
applicable standards of professional conduct or (B) there are one or more legal defenses available
to it which are substantially different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying
Party. No Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any
settlement entered into without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.
(e) The agreements contained in this Section 8 shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by Selling Shareholder and sale of all the Registrable Securities pursuant
to any Registration Statement and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of Selling Shareholder, any of Selling Shareholder’s directors
and officers, any person who participates in the offering of Registrable Securities, including
underwriters (as defined in the Securities Act), and any person, if any, who controls Selling
Shareholder or such participating person within the meaning of the Securities Act.
9. Limitations on Registration of Other Securities; Representation. From and after
the date of this Agreement, ASTI shall not, without the prior written consent of Norsk Hydro, enter
into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of ASTI giving such
holder or prospective holder any registration rights the terms of which are more
13
favorable taken as a whole than the registration rights granted to Selling Shareholder hereunder unless ASTI shall
also give such rights to Selling Shareholder.
10. No Inconsistent Agreements. ASTI shall not hereafter enter into any agreement
with respect to its securities that is inconsistent in any material respects with the rights
granted to Selling Shareholder in this Agreement.
11. Selection of Managing Underwriters. In the event Selling Shareholder has
requested an underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters shall be selected by Selling
Shareholder and shall be approved by ASTI, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed, ASTI and Selling Shareholder shall enter into an underwriting agreement with such
underwriter or underwriters containing representations, warranties and indemnities in customary
form, provided, (i) that all of the representations and warranties by, and the other
agreements on the part of, ASTI to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to
and for the benefit of Selling Shareholder, (ii) that any or all of the conditions precedent to the
obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement shall be conditions precedent to
the obligations of Selling Shareholder and (iii) that Selling Shareholder shall not be required to
make any representations or warranties to or agreements with ASTI or the underwriters other than
representations, warranties or agreements regarding Selling Shareholder and the Registrable
Securities held by Selling Shareholder and any other representations required by law.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with
the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms
hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity.
(b) Amendments and Waivers.
(i) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived only if such amendment or
waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by ASTI and Selling
Shareholder or, in the case of a waiver, by the party or parties against whom the waiver is
to be effective.
(ii) No failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder (other than a failure or delay beyond a period of time specified herein)
shall operate as a waiver thereof and no single or partial exercise thereof shall preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of
any rights or remedies provided by law.
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon
receipt) by delivery in person, by telecopy, by a recognized overnight courier service or by
registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties
at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice
given in accordance with this Section 12(c)):
14
(i) | if to ASTI: | |||||
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. | ||||||
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||||||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
Facsimile: | x0 (000) 000-0000 | |||||
Attention: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||
with a copy to: | ||||||
Holland & Knight LLP | ||||||
2300 U.S. Bancorp Tower | ||||||
000 X.X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000 | ||||||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
Facsimile: | x0 (000) 000-0000 | |||||
Attention: | Xxxx X. xxx Xxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxx X. Xxxx |
(ii) | if to Norsk Hydro or Selling Shareholder: | |||||
Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS | ||||||
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 000 | ||||||
X-0000 Xxxx | ||||||
Xxxxxx | ||||||
Facsimile: | + 47 22 53 27 25 | |||||
Attention: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice): | ||||||
Shearman & Sterling LLP | ||||||
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||||||
0 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX | ||||||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||
Facsimile: | x00 (0)000 000-0000 | |||||
Attention: | Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Facsimile: | x00 (0)000 000-0000 | |||||
Attention: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx |
(d) Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and, except as provided in
Section 8 hereof, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall
confer upon any other person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of the other party hereto, except that the registration rights of Selling
Shareholder with respect to any Registrable Securities shall be transferred to any affiliate of
Selling
15
Shareholder to which Registrable Securities have been transferred. All of the obligations
of ASTI hereunder shall survive any such transfer.
(e) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware. All actions and proceedings arising out of
or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any Delaware state or
federal court, in each case sitting in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County. The parties
hereto hereby (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Delaware state or federal court, in
each case sitting in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, for the purpose of any action
arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto and (b) irrevocably waive,
and agree not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that
it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is
exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum,
that the venue of the action is improper or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named courts.
(f) Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any
litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the parties hereto (i) certifies that no representative,
agent or attorney of the other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party
would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce that foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto have been induced to enter into this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, as applicable, by, among other things, the
mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 12(f).
(g) Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions
and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the
economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith
to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible
in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated
as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement constitute
the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and
supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
(i) Cumulative Remedies. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are
cumulative and the use of any one right or remedy by any party hereto shall not preclude or waive
its right to use any or all other remedies. Such rights and remedies are given in addition to any
other rights the parties may have by law, statute, ordinance or otherwise.
16
(j) Construction. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees it has had the
opportunity to draft, review and edit the language of this Agreement and that no presumption for or
against any party arising out of drafting all or any part of this Agreement will be applied in any
dispute relating to, in connection with or involving this Agreement. Accordingly, the parties
hereto hereby waive the benefit of any rule of law or any legal decision that would require, in
cases of uncertainty, that the language of a contract should be interpreted most strongly against
the party who drafted such language.
(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by
facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the
date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Name: | Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: | Chairman | |||
NORSK HYDRO PRODUKSJON AS |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Authorized Representative | |||
18